P360 / JPAC / 5v and Ground question...

[Stobe]

I've seen similar questions asked before, but not this one specifically...

If the JPAC gets its power (and I assume  ground) from the PC's keyboard port, would it be ok to use the +5V and Ground from one of the PC's drive cables?  Or does the ground for the P360's have to be coming from the actual JPAC terminal strip?

I've seen the diagram for the JPAC on how to get the +5V from the LED harness, but I'd rather use a drive cable, since I'm already using a 4pin molex on my CP for quick disconnecting of the power to the P360's.

Thanks,
Stobe

[krick]

The J-PAC doesn't supply ANY power over the JAMMA harness.

However, if you're handy with a soldering iron, know your way around the JAMMA standard, and are willing to risk voiding your warranty, you can modify the J-PAC to feed an external 5V/12V power source over one (or possibly more) of the JAMMA harness wires...

http://mame.3feetunder.com/jpacmod/

However, for powering a P360, I'd just tap the power directly from one of your power supply molex connectors as you've suggested doing.

[Stobe]

ok, but what I was mostly concerned about was creating a potential difference (or ground loop).  Can I use both the +5 and the ground from the PC's power molex?  Or do I use the ground from the jpac?  I'm guessing they are the same, but I just want to make sure.

-Stobe

[Havok]

They're the same - the encoder connects to the pc, which pulls it's ground from the power supply. So, anywhere there's a ground (power supply or encoder) - you can use it...

[Stobe]

That's what I figured, but I never saw it explicity stated, so I wanted to be sure.

Of course, that didn't stop me from wiring it up last night and testing it out anyhow.

Everything worked, and no smoke.

Thanks,
Stobe

[muzland]

I found the easiest way to get +5V was from the USB. Simply cut a cable in half and find the appropriate colour lead (red I think from memory). Voila! +5V plug and play.

I used this solution for my Inductive joysticks (similar to P360) on my modular panel where hot-swapping is a necessity and it works a treat.

I also wired the grouds together just in case... No need reallt as they both originate from  the same PC power supply.

[Level42]

I'm using a Suzo Inductive which also works at +5V  and use a (cut) drrive power connection as well, works fine.

Here's a pic how I distribute my power to the CP (very few connections YET !):




(EDIT)
Mmmmm, whahaahah now looking at the picture....and I actualy used the JAMMA common instead of the one from the PC PSU, so I went the opposite way, but this also works at least 

[muzland]

OK Level42, Where did you get that mega terminal block from???  8)Must be like 100 connections on it

[Level42]

Hah, well just about 

Got it from my work. Sometimes it helps to work in electronics for this hobby 
I'm an electronics service engineer and I saw this wonderful mini DIN rail with those nice little mini terminals on them and thought that would be great for power distribution and maybe some other connections in my cab. It was in a box in the workplace, mounted on a small peace of wood with some of those "cable gutters" (how do you call them ?) you see on the pictures and meant to be ditched I guess, so I picked it up

The connectors are all wired together on the back, 5 connectors per "block" for 12V, GND, more GND and +5V. The other terminals are spare. Gonna change my CP so I will need to use it much more than now, because there will be a trackball, Optipac, spinner etc. in it.

If you want to see more: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51119.0

[Stobe]

It was in a box in the workplace, mounted on a small peace of wood with some of those "cable gutters" (how do you call them ?)

Its called Wire Duct (or channel duct).  Or sometimes you'll hear people call it Panduit, named after the main comany that sells it.

Link:
http://www.panduit.com/products/browse.asp?classid=1006

And you're right about the benefits of working in electronics.  Although I think the woodworkers around here learn the wiring a lot faster than us electronics guys learn the woodworking, lol.

-Stobe

[Level42]

It was in a box in the workplace, mounted on a small peace of wood with some of those "cable gutters" (how do you call them ?)

Its called Wire Duct (or channel duct).  Or sometimes you'll hear people call it Panduit, named after the main comany that sells it.

Link:
http://www.panduit.com/products/browse.asp?classid=1006

And you're right about the benefits of working in electronics.  Although I think the woodworkers around here learn the wiring a lot faster than us electronics guys learn the woodworking, lol.

-Stobe

Hah, you couldn't be more right about the woodwork !!! It's definitly my biggest hurdle, and I'm already very much convinced that I will have my CP done by a "pro". Of course, this will not give the satisfaction of DIY but I prefer good quality over my poor woodworking skills anyday. That's also why I bought a "ready" Jamma cab. Well, I get my satisfaction on the neat build-up in the electronics section and mostly of course, playing !!!

[Fozzy The Bear]

I prefer good quality over my poor woodworking skills anyday. That's also why I bought a "ready" Jamma cab.

It's more fear of not being able to do it, that stops a lot of people from trying... The woodwork is not at all difficult if you take your time and measure everything twice, before you cut it. It just needs a bit of patience. The quality will come if you take your time and don't try to rush it.

It's the same with anything that's new to you. Don't be afraid of it! have a go! The only way to learn something new is to get out and do it. Anybody can do it, if they want to.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Level42]

Todays award for best pep-talk goes to Fozzy Bear ! 

But then I skip to another thread http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=51658.0 and then I read this:

These really are a nice little bit of kit.... Nothing complex about them, or difficult to the degree that they couldn't be made up on a bit of strip board, but having one off the shelf for what looks to be about the same amount that I'd have to pay for the components themselves is very nice!

You can put me down for a 5V kit version one, with Blue LEDs please Smiley

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

And does that take the air out of your encouraging words or not !

I'd build one of these from a piece of veriboard in seconds, or make another solution. This doesn't mean this product isn't a solution for other people. It's the same for me about the CP.

Sure I can make a box out of a couple of pieces of wood, but as far as the actual CP itself I could never produce something like Knievl Kustoms used to offer (and hopefully will offer once again).

Take a look at this:
http://www.knievelkustoms.com/kustomwork.htm

I don't have a router and don't want to buy one for the sake of one CP. Also the pre-drilled Lexan top is very appealing....looks like Knievl is using some pro-machines to get this done.

All in all, it doesnt matter really, all up to each persons' capabilities and time mostly !

[Fozzy The Bear]

And does that take the air out of your encouraging words or not !

ROFL... Ahhh! no, but that's just another excuse for not having a go!! 

Well at least I hope it doesn't take the air out .... As I said I could quite as easily build one on a bit of strip board, but given for the same price I can have a PCB, which would you choose. I suppose I could even etch my own PCB. 

But you will notice I asked him for the kit version so that I can assemble it myself, and not for the off the shelf version.

The electronics is my weakest area, but I'm not afraid to get in there and have a go at it. I look at it this way, If I screw it up and get something wrong then at least I learned something about how not to do it!... I'm not afraid of screwing it up! (says the bear as he glances at a pile of fried chips LOL  )

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)