The thing is, every time I read a noobie post regarding JAMMA cabs, people invariably suggest to "strip it of everything". Strike 1.
Maybe I'm the exception, but I usually favor a minimalist approach to modification, and don't
usually suggest stripping much of anything.
Next issue is that you need to disable the switching power supply since a JPAC doesn't use it. Strike 2.
Depends on the power supply, and what else is connected to it. I didn't disable the one in my candy cab and it doesn't seem to have hurt it. Some supplies, as I understand it, you have to keep at least a little load on to keep it from being damaged. Even if you do disconnect it, it's only one or two quick screw connections from being hooked back up.
JAMMA standard is mono sound. We need to bypass it to use stereo sound. Strike 3.
If you're wiring the cab yourself, you can set this up with a toggle switch to switch between stereo and mono...
My question to all of you who bothered to keep a JAMMA set-up with a JPAC: Do you EVER end up using real JAMMA boards in that MAME cab?? (Possibly strike 4!)
Ah, now there's the real question... I haven't yet, but would like to keep the option open. If you don't think you ever will, don't bother with it. If you suspect you will, or only have room for one cabinet (so couldn't just bring in a second, JAMMA cab), then go ahead and wire for JAMMA. It's a question of likelyhood of use versus the little extra effort you have to put forth to hook it up that way.
Overall it sounds like alot of redundant stuff just to keep the JAMMA standard parts in there. Is it worth it or not? I have ripped EVERYTHING out because the wiring job in there was just horrible, but I do have all the new parts necessary to re-wire everything to JAMMA standards. Should I bother?
If you've already got the stuff to do it, I probably would, unless you're absolutely sure you'll never want to use it for JAMMA. The extra work is a one time thing, and it adds a potential to do more things that the cab that it wouldn't otherwise have.