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Q-bert controls software asjustment ?
juggle50:
I think if you are going to go the powermame route, using the LEDwiz is a better option than doing it through the I-pac. I could be wrong but I believe powermame controls the LEDwiz not the Ipac.
You said you were on track to get that knocker. Do you have any leads? I'm looking for an assembly myself.
Level42:
Hi juggle50, got your PM also, but I was out for a couple of days.
Well, I've already got an I-Pac (or actualy a J-Pac) and I don't really want to buy a LEDwizz just for triggering the knocker.
Yes Powermame is the choice when you've got a LEDwiz but until know it does not support the Q*bert knocker afaik. It's not even on the proposed features list.
So, at least for now, to get the knocker knocking, you need Q*mame (check out the site that NoOne=NBA= mentioned).
I'm still on track, but not sure what to do. As soon as I know what I do I will let you all know and give contact details. There are a couple of options.
juggle50:
Actually, it's already been implemented in powerMame. Check out this link.
http://www.unappliedbraincells.com/demos.htm
Download demo 3 "PowerMame running event based lighting sequence." and you can see the feature in action.
It is set up as a lighting feature, so when you plug the knocker into the ledwiz the ledwiz recognizes it as a light.
Reread page 2 of this link.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=50002.40
Sir Poonga even gives a diagram on how to attatch it to the Ledwiz to make it work using a relay and powersupply.
However, I understand that the led wiz is quite an expense for just one feature. Please keep me posted if you have anymore leads on an extra knocker asembly.
Level42:
Mmmmm, good thing I added "afaik" !!
I probably still need to go with the Qmame option, although I'd prefer Powermame so I would not need to use two different versions of mame.
Actualy, I had seen that video before ! But is that the real knocker we are hearing, or is it the sample ? Sounds more like the sample to me.
Assuming the knocker sound is sampled from a real cab, that sound is way off from what I associate to a knocker sound. I was more thinking of the sharp TOCK sound that you get from a pinball machine for an extra ball. This is also what I seem to remember from the real cab, but the last time I played an original was about 20 years ago....
The sample sounds more like a damped THWAK....I did read somewhere this is what the creator's wanted it to be, but couldn't realize it because of cost of manufacturing ?
But if this is the true Q*bert sound, how to realize this with a normal knocker ?
Basicaly both the Ledwizz and the J-pac use a LED output to trigger the knocker, so the electronics should be the same. I personaly feel more for Brad's solution using a transistor instead of a relais, basicaly because a relay is slow. However, Brad's way of connecting things introduce the risk of feeding back the 30 V into the J-pac or LEDwizz and maybe even your mobo, if you make a mistake in the wiring or f.i. the transistor blows.
I'm thinking of a solution using an optocoupler (or better opto-isolator) together with Brad's scheme. This will protect the J-pac/Led wizz and everything else.
I've found the exact knocker by the way, I'll PM you about it.
Level42:
OK I found two sources for the knocker assemby:
www.pbresource.com ( I got that tip from someone here, don't remember who ?)
And this is what we're talking about:
You can find it under:
http://www.pbresource.com/hauntedhouse.html
Scroll down to cabinet parts.
I e-mailed Brad (the guy who made the first set-up and Qmame) and he confirmed this is exactly what he used.
However, Pinball Resource is not only "Keeping Pinball Affordable since 1977", it seems they also are stuck in 1977 since they don't accept Paypal or Credit Cards for international orders.....hello......it is 2006 !?!?! Global Market ? Ah well...
So I mailed Todd at www.TNTamusement.com (since I was about to order two more Suzo Inductives anyway....) and he could also offer the same knocker. Don't know if that one is new, but he says it's the same as the pbresource one (I mailed him the link of the pic).
Not sure if TNT has more, but you can always try.