Author Topic: Post your mame cab "guts" photos (Read 10137 times)

RayB · « **on:** October 30, 2005, 12:15:52 pm »

This weekend I started installing/mounting the hardware and wiring into my MAME cabinet, and I'm running into a couple little obstacles.

I thought it would be helpful if people posted photos of their "guts" so we can see what kind of mounting solutions various people have come up with and why. Could we do this please? And feel free to discuss how you worked it out. Whether airflow is a factor, etc. Show us where you mounted: IPAC, JPAC, wiring, power supply, motherboard, hard drive, etc. (If all you did was keep a full PC tower in there, then don't bother posting it).

Here's my story as to why I'd like to see photos:
-------------------------------------------------------------
My cab is a smallish one. 24 inch wide control panel. And inside the back there is a convenient shelf near the bottom.

First I found a good spot for my JPAC and harness, tucked away to one side, where I will still be able to reach in through the coin-door and plug my keyboard in.

For my PC mobo, my choices are a bit fewer. I figured that mounting it flat would only collect dust, so it has to go on one of three available vertical surfaces. I chose the right side and have mounted it there. I will need to install a little piece of wood to keep the cards stable. No problem there.

Then comes trouble: My ATA100 IDE cable is a bit short. The HD will have to be mounted close to the side the mobo is. That in itself is not too big a deal. I have two metal mounting brackets that the HD is screwed to and then I can screw the mount to the cabinet wood. At first I was going to mount it flat on the bottom of the "shelf" my cab has. But it occurred to me that that is the circuit side of the HD and will likely build up heat if it's flush against wood. I will have to build something to raise it up a bit.

Next, there's no easy way to have a CD-ROM drive in there, so I opted to only connect the CD drive when I really need to. (I could always get a wireless network card to manage files on here anyways).

Then came the power supply. My options are again limited by short wiring. I will have to find myself an ATX power extender, but they are not a common item in stores. Once I get this extender, I should be able to mount it either in the very bottom (under the shelf) or up on the left side of the shelf, opposite the mobo. I am wondering if I should bother cutting a hole in my back door, and venting the PSU fan out through that hole?

I will also have to find a spot for my OptiPAC, but that won't be too difficult.

~Ray B.

rescue161 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 30, 2005, 01:14:28 pm »

Here is a pic of the motherboard and the bottom of the cab.

and a pic of the keyboard hack mounted near the cp

Absolutely no over-heating problems. I did mount a fan on the lower back side that sucks air in and cut slots in the top that allow the heated air to escape.

Harry Potter · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2005, 01:28:30 pm »

I was always weary of people mounting MBs bare inside a cab. Sure the game PCBs were bare but they're nowhere near as intricate as todays hardware which would be more sensitive to open conditions.

Each to their own though. But unfortunately I'll have to install a MotherBoard bare in my next two projects. Meh. $:-\$

rescue161 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2005, 01:39:36 pm »

This one has been up and running 24/7 for over a year with no problems. I leave it on all the time so it's always ready. I leave all of my pc's on 24/7...

To me, leaving a MB in a tower and then putting that into another enclosure would worry me as overheating would be more likely to happen (I realize a lot of people do this, it's just my opinion/preference).

My games frequently are moved due to being in the military, so I feel more secure about the components being properly secured inside. Not too many options for bolting down a tower especially in a cabaret machine.

RayB · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2005, 03:00:53 pm »

In my opinion, a game cabinet IS a case. It's just a little larger.

vader · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2005, 03:12:39 pm »

RayB

....as far as the HD circuit board getting warm, what I did was to just purchase some small 1"x1" L brackets at Home Depot or the equivalent in Canada, keeps the HD up in the air so it can get some circulation. It's about a 1.00 solution.

Tim

Santoro · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2005, 03:25:10 pm »

My Guts

Drives were mounted with L brackets.

Jess-- · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2005, 04:24:49 pm »

Here is a few pics of my upright machine.
spec is athlon xp 2000, 1 gig ram, 20gig hd, Jpac / arcadevga, Creative soundworks speakers (sub is the white thing next to the coinbox at the bottom and 2 sats are mounted behind the marquee, volume control is just behind the coin door), and a 20" hantarex monitor,

Have only had this running again for about 8 hours as I had to replace the LOPT on the monitor hence the shiny new red HT lead.

the plastic tub sat above the control panel is full of change, yes the coin mech is fully operational on this one

Before anyone says anything I am in the process of building a new CP for this machine

J-Rod · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2005, 04:27:12 pm »

Here you go, no heat problems at all, but that's a monster +12v fan. A little noisy for a PC, but for an arcade box? No problem.

whatisk · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2005, 08:33:13 pm »

Here's mine...

IG-88 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2005, 08:41:14 pm »

Just curious J-Rod. How are you keeping your HD and PSU from sliding all over the place?

GGKoul · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2005, 09:04:11 pm »

I have my computer inside the case in my cab. Doesn't move around because I don't move my cab around.

I like having my computer in the case because it allows me to easily remove the computer for upgrades and/or modifications.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2005, 09:23:54 pm »

Here is my setup. I used parts from the case and a cheap kit from micro center to mount everything.

RetroJames · « **Reply #13 on:** October 30, 2005, 09:54:14 pm »

Midway Multi-Williams Omega Mame

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=16487.0

mahuti · « **Reply #14 on:** October 31, 2005, 01:24:42 am »

Entrails pics anyone?

My favorite part about this pic is the 2 flourescent light tubes propped precariously up against the work table. Nothing like keeping a tidy shop.

Oh, and this was my mess. Enthusiasm > safety precautions.

J-Rod · « **Reply #15 on:** October 31, 2005, 09:33:03 am »

Quote from: IG-88 on October 30, 2005, 08:41:14 pm

Just curious J-Rod. How are you keeping your HD and PSU from sliding all over the place?

On the bottom of each, I have velcro strips. Holds them great, and easier to remove than mounting screws from the bottom.

Jess-- · « **Reply #16 on:** October 31, 2005, 12:25:07 pm »

mahuti that shot looks very familiar, brings back memories of when I was putting mine together

RayB · « **Reply #17 on:** October 31, 2005, 01:02:14 pm »

Keep the pics coming guys!
I picked up an ATX power extender today, and a set of drive mounting brackets. I'll be able to proceed.

McCOY: Your set up is a little similar to what I am doing. But don't you find your cards tend to slope down, due to gravity and especially the weight of the cords plugged into them? I'd be concerned that the cards would pop out if you ever moved the cabinet.

mccoy178 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 31, 2005, 02:57:23 pm »

Yes, sloping is something I need to address. More so with the Harddrives. As far as the cards are concerned, they have not moved nor slope yet. I plan to run a flexible strap from the top to the bottom to hold them in place, yet be easily removable.

On a side note, I thought I damaged my MB two days ago when mamewah locked up and I lost all sound. It ended up being a memory issue. I am adding another harddrive in the next couple days, so I hope to add a few more completed pics of the setup. This was my first attempt, and I love the look of it.

Jess-- · « **Reply #19 on:** October 31, 2005, 03:06:31 pm »

you may be able to get around the sloping hard drives issue the same way I did. I used the original hard drive cage from a tower unit, has not sagged yet (also helps with cooling as it exposes all sides to air)

SNAAKE · « **Reply #20 on:** October 31, 2005, 03:14:06 pm »

Not exactly 'mame cabinet guts' but here is my 33" showcase cab and building another UA2 for a friend(wood on right)

mccoy178 · « **Reply #21 on:** October 31, 2005, 05:27:29 pm »

Snaake,

You have quite a lot of stuff going on there!

Mr. Bubblehead · « **Reply #22 on:** October 31, 2005, 07:12:50 pm »

View of my cocktail with the top and monitor removed:

And looking in the coin door, access to floppy drive and admin buttons:

kastawaykid · « **Reply #23 on:** November 01, 2005, 01:23:47 pm »

Here are pictures of my Cocktail Cabinet. Hope this may help you.

whammoed · « **Reply #24 on:** November 01, 2005, 02:23:06 pm »

You can find some more close up shots here:
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/whammoed/whammocade/whammocade.htm

BUCKETHEAD · « **Reply #25 on:** November 01, 2005, 04:20:05 pm »

Anybody here ever decased their PC monitors?

To put into their cabs?

How dangerous is this ?

I thought about doing this to a extra empty PAC- cab i have ?

Thanks!

tribasic · « **Reply #26 on:** November 01, 2005, 11:34:34 pm »

Hey whammoed!

I really like your cabinet. Looks like you can play horizontal and vertical games quite easily. Good job!

TriBasic

Sinner · « **Reply #27 on:** November 02, 2005, 08:51:19 am »

Quote from: BUCKETHEAD on November 01, 2005, 04:20:05 pm

Anybody here ever decased their PC monitors?

To put into their cabs?

How dangerous is this ?

I thought about doing this to a extra empty PAC- cab i have ?

Thanks!

I've done it, and it's not very hard to do. If you take the proper precautions and are careful, it's not dangerous at all...there are post regarding the issue, if you take a look...

M3talhead · « **Reply #28 on:** November 02, 2005, 12:27:39 pm »

Dave_K. · « **Reply #29 on:** November 02, 2005, 04:35:42 pm »

Quote from: kastawaykid on November 01, 2005, 01:23:47 pm

Here are pictures of my Cocktail Cabinet. Hope this may help you.

Wow, did you have to cut those pieces apart from your computer case or did it all disassemble like that? I really like the use of the PCI card holder with the motherboard mounted to wood.

IG-88 · « **Reply #30 on:** November 02, 2005, 09:15:40 pm »

Quote from: Mr. Bubblehead on October 31, 2005, 07:12:50 pm

View of my cocktail with the top and monitor removed:

Damn! Thats some serious lumber you got in there! Is that a pair of 2x8's holding some of the hardware?

kastawaykid · « **Reply #31 on:** November 03, 2005, 12:52:50 pm »

Here is a picture of the computer in my Upright machine. I used some old case parts to hold the PCI/AGP cards in, like my cocktail pictures above.

javeryh · « **Reply #32 on:** November 03, 2005, 06:02:27 pm »

Quote from: kastawaykid on November 03, 2005, 12:52:50 pm

Here is a picture of the computer in my Upright machine. I used some old case parts to hold the PCI/AGP cards in, like my cocktail pictures above.

What's all that borg-looking tubing in there? Are your wires running through them? Where did you get them? Is there any benefit?

Great thread by the way - I'm scared to start assembling the guts of my cocktail even though I have everything I need...

Spartan · « **Reply #33 on:** November 03, 2005, 07:49:32 pm »

The hell with neatness -- just throw it all in there!

Actually, these pics were taken circa 1999 just as I was finishing it up. The IPAC is mounted on the well between 2 gutted PC speaker boards (so to have independent Left / right volume control). If I need a keyboard, I can open the lid and plug it into the IPAC.

The PC was a Pentium 233 w/ MMX (now an Athlon 1700) and the gray rectangle gadget was an Avatar Shark drive which used 250MB hard diskettes. That's how I transferred the software. Now it's on a wireless network.

The monitor was a fixed frequency 20" Intergraph (with authentic curvature!). It croaked and was replaced with a 19" flatscreen cheapo from Home Depot.

BUCKETHEAD · « **Reply #34 on:** November 03, 2005, 07:51:37 pm »

Quote

What's all that borg-looking tubing in there?

SpamMe · « **Reply #35 on:** November 04, 2005, 12:10:57 am »

These pictures are old, but the guts haven't changed much since I started. ::shrug::

RayB · « **Reply #36 on:** November 04, 2005, 12:14:16 am »

OK, only fair I post my own pics too.

I'm not done yet. Maybe half-way. So far I have mounted my JPAC (placed it somewhere where it is in the back part of the cab, but also still accessible from the front so I can plug a keyboard in throughthe coin door.

PC mobo is secure on the side, and the cards are secured to a little L shaped thingy I have mounted there.

Wiring so far is all tied down with cable clamps.

PSU is in the bottom, but I'm still debating it's final location. I could mount it to the left side.

Drives as you see them are not mounted yet.

RayB · « **Reply #37 on:** November 04, 2005, 02:52:03 pm »

Hmm my pics aren't there. Let's try this again:

Paladin · « **Reply #38 on:** November 05, 2005, 09:03:37 am »

I took the easy way, stuffed my whole full size case into the cab.

RayB · « **Reply #39 on:** November 05, 2005, 01:21:16 pm »

Nice case mods!!


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