Main Restorations Software Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Everything Else Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements Monitor/Video GroovyMAME Merit/JVL Touchscreen Meet Up Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing Woodworking Software Support Forums Consoles Project Arcade Reviews
Automated Projects Artwork Frontend Support Forums Pinball Forum Discussion Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board controls.dat Linux Miscellaneous Arcade Wiki Discussion Old Archives
Lightguns Arcade1Up Try the site in https mode Site News

Unread posts | New Replies | Recent posts | Rules | Chatroom | Wiki | File Repository | RSS | Submit news

  

Author Topic: Mini-PAC  (Read 3459 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Mini-PAC
« on: March 28, 2005, 05:29:38 pm »
I'm about to order a Mini-PAC and intend to interface it with an original arcade trackball(from Missile Command), and/or my original arcade spinner(from Arkanoid).

Considering this, does it make a difference if I order it with a "Ultimarc T/B Harness" or a "Happ T/B Harness"?

Also, can anyone tell me what the difference is between the "Standard" and the "Opti", as far as the physical hardware received?

Thanks a lot.

Darren

cholin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
  • Last login:July 16, 2009, 09:22:25 pm
    • Nilok Productions
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2005, 08:19:43 pm »
Since nobody seems to be able to help you, I think I should add that its always best to ask Andy, because if anyone know's his own hardware, its the creator.

Flinkly

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1244
  • Last login:March 14, 2017, 01:14:21 pm
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2005, 10:13:15 pm »
at this time, all the actual minipac boards are the same.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #3 on: March 29, 2005, 06:11:10 pm »
The reason I asked is because I have a lot of wiring and just wanted to get what I needed.

Perhaps a better way to phrase the question is why does the "Opti" allow a mouse input and the "standard" doesn't?(I'm just trying to figure out the hardware differences).

And just to make sure. There is no better solution than the Mini-PAC for a large number of single player games, correct?

Thanks.

Darren

cholin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
  • Last login:July 16, 2009, 09:22:25 pm
    • Nilok Productions
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #4 on: March 29, 2005, 08:12:25 pm »
Well theres no better solution as of now, but I dont see what you mean for opti.  Is that just the board that you can buy says opti?  That's just a harness.  All the boards are the exact same, but what Andy does is sells you connectors too for specific things, so you save an hour's work.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #5 on: March 29, 2005, 10:00:29 pm »
Well theres no better solution as of now, but I dont see what you mean for opti.

cholin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
  • Last login:July 16, 2009, 09:22:25 pm
    • Nilok Productions
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2005, 10:08:33 pm »
Yes, basically.  What Im saying, is that no matter which one you pick, you will get the same board.  If you want a wiring harness, its gonna cost extra.  If you want a special wiring harness (trackabll) its gonna cost u even more.

If you buy the 29 dollar board, and BYO wiring harness, you still get the functionality of the trackabll, just you had to make your own wires.  He's selling the wires basically.

Kremmit

  • - AHOTW -
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3165
  • Last login:June 17, 2025, 04:07:55 pm
  • Who the heck is that?
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2005, 12:39:01 am »
He's selling the wires basically.

The wires, the connectors, and most importantly, the labor time.  How long would it take you  to split apart an IDE cable, solder longer leads onto all the wires, and attach quick disconnects to the end of each wire?  How much is your time worth?  I know I'm slow at that stuff, and lack of time is the biggest thing keeping me away from cab building now, so it doesn't seem so expensive to me.  Folks with more time and less $$ might be of a different opinion, though.

cholin

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 6
  • Last login:July 16, 2009, 09:22:25 pm
    • Nilok Productions
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #8 on: March 30, 2005, 07:01:24 am »
Im the folk with more time and less money, and believe it or not, I dont mind doing that kind of stuff.  If I had the parts he used, I would probably sell the harnesses for wire charge + 5 bucks labour.  I enjoy doing this kind of stuff, which will end up saving me money (not alot, wont kill you if you buy the harness)

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #9 on: April 02, 2005, 08:34:07 am »
Thanks.

I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.

Can anyone tell me what specific board connector/s connect to the Mini-PAC?

Thanks.

Darren

Tiger-Heli

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5447
  • Last login:January 03, 2018, 02:19:23 pm
  • Ron Howard? . . . er, I mean . . . Run, Coward!!!
    • Tiger-Heli
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #10 on: April 02, 2005, 09:45:37 am »
I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.
If it's a missile command trackball it's essentially a Happs.

The Mini-pac wiring diagram is here - http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html but it doesn't specify any differences for the different types of trackballs.  I think it might be pull-up resistors, but you might want to confirm with Andy.
Quote
Can anyone tell me what specific board connector/s connect to the Mini-PAC?
If you mean the pin headers on the board - They're 0.100 inch centers and you can cut a standard computer HD cable and run it to a terminal block or splice onto it.
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go. - R. Travis.
When all is said and done, generally much more is SAID than DONE.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #11 on: April 02, 2005, 04:09:33 pm »
I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.
If it's a missile command trackball it's essentially a Happs.

The Mini-pac wiring diagram is here - http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html but it doesn't specify any differences for the different types of trackballs.

Tiger-Heli

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5447
  • Last login:January 03, 2018, 02:19:23 pm
  • Ron Howard? . . . er, I mean . . . Run, Coward!!!
    • Tiger-Heli
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #12 on: April 02, 2005, 05:43:05 pm »
I've been attempting to figure out why it makes a difference which trackball is used. And I can only assume that it is because of the different optic boards, which means that the Mini-PAC doesn't factor those out.

Darren
I think it has to do with active hi and active lo and pull-up resistors, but I'm not sure at all on this.
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go. - R. Travis.
When all is said and done, generally much more is SAID than DONE.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #13 on: May 01, 2005, 12:04:33 pm »
Unfortunately, the mini-PAC is now out of the question, because when I e-mailed Andy to ask if he would accept a postal money order, and he replied with the below:

 "We can accept Postal Money Orders but only in GB Pounds. Unfortunately if you are in the USA you will not be able to get one of these.

Okay, can anyone recommend another option for me?

Thanks.

Darren

Kremmit

  • - AHOTW -
  • Wiki Contributor
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3165
  • Last login:June 17, 2025, 04:07:55 pm
  • Who the heck is that?
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #14 on: May 01, 2005, 07:28:13 pm »
Unfortunately, the mini-PAC is now out of the question, because when I e-mailed Andy to ask if he would accept a postal money order, and he replied with the below:

 "We can accept Postal Money Orders but only in GB Pounds. Unfortunately if you are in the USA you will not be able to get one of these.

Okay, can anyone recommend another option for me?

Thanks.

Darren

Paypal?

CheffoJeffo

  • Cheffo's right! ---saint
  • Wiki Master
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 7784
  • Last login:July 14, 2025, 12:11:49 pm
  • Worthless button pusher!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #15 on: May 01, 2005, 07:31:26 pm »
Post a WTB in B/S/T ... maybe someone can tack a MiniPac on their next Ultimarc order.

Cheers
Working: Not Enough
Projects: Too Many
Progress: None

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #16 on: June 09, 2005, 08:50:45 pm »
I'm still in search of the next best option.

Thanks a lot.

Darren

Tiger-Heli

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5447
  • Last login:January 03, 2018, 02:19:23 pm
  • Ron Howard? . . . er, I mean . . . Run, Coward!!!
    • Tiger-Heli
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #17 on: June 10, 2005, 11:00:09 am »
www.groovygamegear.com KeyWiz Eco2 (no solder) or GP-Wiz (no-solder) and www.oscarcontrols.com pre-hacked USB mouse interface.
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go. - R. Travis.
When all is said and done, generally much more is SAID than DONE.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #18 on: July 20, 2006, 10:05:44 pm »
I have to do some custom wiring, and I'm not using either the Happs or Ultimarc trackball, so I guess homemade is the best way to go for me.
If it's a missile command trackball it's essentially a Happs.

The Mini-pac wiring diagram is here - http://www.ultimarc.com/mp_inst.html but it doesn't specify any differences for the different types of trackballs.  I think it might be pull-up resistors, but you might want to confirm with Andy.
Quote
Can anyone tell me what specific board connector/s connect to the Mini-PAC?
If you mean the pin headers on the board - They're 0.100 inch centers and you can cut a standard computer HD cable and run it to a terminal block or splice onto it.

Ok. I now have a couple of Mini-PAC PCBs.

I've noticed how thin the wires are in an IDE cable. Is it plausible to find some sort of extention header(a stand-alone IDE connector) where 20 gauge wires could be attached to each pin?

Thanks.

Darren

Tiger-Heli

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5447
  • Last login:January 03, 2018, 02:19:23 pm
  • Ron Howard? . . . er, I mean . . . Run, Coward!!!
    • Tiger-Heli
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #19 on: July 25, 2006, 08:59:58 am »
Is it plausible to find some sort of extention header(a stand-alone IDE connector) where 20 gauge wires could be attached to each pin?
I don't think so, at least I've never seen one.
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go. - R. Travis.
When all is said and done, generally much more is SAID than DONE.

romperwomb

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 228
  • Last login:December 26, 2024, 03:00:42 pm
  • Plick!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #20 on: July 25, 2006, 11:05:20 am »
Quote

Ok. I now have a couple of Mini-PAC PCBs.

I've noticed how thin the wires are in an IDE cable. Is it plausible to find some sort of extention header(a stand-alone IDE connector) where 20 gauge wires could be attached to each pin?

Thanks.


Pick up some Terminal Strips from Radio Shack.

The IDE wires come in on one side and 20 gauge out the other.

Tiger-Heli

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 5447
  • Last login:January 03, 2018, 02:19:23 pm
  • Ron Howard? . . . er, I mean . . . Run, Coward!!!
    • Tiger-Heli
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #21 on: July 25, 2006, 05:14:09 pm »
Pick up some Terminal Strips from Radio Shack.

The IDE wires come in on one side and 20 gauge out the other.
See Reply #10 above.  ;D
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go. - R. Travis.
When all is said and done, generally much more is SAID than DONE.

Searcher7

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 177
  • Last login:June 21, 2009, 10:45:22 pm
  • I want to Build My Own Arcade Controls!!
Re: Mini-PAC
« Reply #22 on: July 25, 2006, 08:30:21 pm »
Pick up some Terminal Strips from Radio Shack.

The IDE wires come in on one side and 20 gauge out the other.
See Reply #10 above.  ;D

I'm trying to find a solution around the small wire gauge problem.(I'm used to using 20g minimum on all my projects).

Darren