specialty part

[btp2k2]

I have been making cabinets for a while now and recently got addicted to VisualPinball. Luckily for me, Maximus Arcade just released an update that includes support for VP and Future Pinball.

For my next cab, I would like to set it up with a "Pinball package". You know, the flipper buttons on the side of the control box, etc.

Anyway, I have been thinking about how cool it would be to have something on the front of the control box like a plunger that would trigger the microswitch or even a plunger-esque button, like potentiall mod a standard Happs button to look like a plunger. Is any of that possible? If so, where the heck would I start?

[Kevin Mullins]

Something like this?

http://www.johnsretroarcade.com/hardware_pinball.asp

[Fozzy The Bear]

Something like this?

http://www.johnsretroarcade.com/hardware_pinball.asp

That's interesting.... But it's a really complex way of doing something that only requires a microswitch to be hit by the plunger.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[btp2k2]

Something like this?

http://www.johnsretroarcade.com/hardware_pinball.asp

No, actually exactly like that!

That is awesome, thanks for pointing that out!

[JustMichael]

Honestly I think he should have placed the sensor just past the fully compressed spring (like when the plunger is pulled back).  Then it could read how far back the plunger was pulled.  The way he has it now, having the plunger hit a button would do the same thing.

[Kevin Mullins]

Sure... a microswitch could activate as a keystroke....but the action wouldn't actually be totally correct.
For example with Visual Pinball the time that you hold the plunger key down will determine how far back the plunger is pulled and then released. Giving it a weak or strong ball shooter action.
So if you were to just attach a microswitch (wired Normally Open) at the the end of an actual pinball plunger stroke.... the plunger would just "twitch" in Visual Pinball.
And vice versa, if you were to attach a microswitch (wired Normally Closed) to activate after the plunger was pulled back, then you would have to hold the plunger until the desired strength was achieved and then release the plunger.

But it's defineately possible...... just depends on how someone wants to setup the "mechanics" of their setup.
I just like the fact that with the optic setup nothing gets physically hit by the plunger.
 
 

[btp2k2]

Definitely something to think about....Good to know this is possible.....

Now my wife is going to LOVE it when I tell her I need to order some pinball plungers too!

 

[Chris]

And vice versa, if you were to attach a microswitch (wired Normally Closed) to activate after the plunger was pulled back, then you would have to hold the plunger until the desired strength was achieved and then release the plunger.

This is how mine is wired.  Takes adjusting the scripts a bit in the tables to get the motion feeling natural, but it works fairly well.   And the sound of the plunger thwacking the button adds to it.

--Chris

[Xiaou2]

 Realy sucks that there is no analog input for the pinball plungers in these,
as holding down a certain time period doesnt feel right, and loses the
challange in skill shots.

 Heres an idea to at least keep the feel:

 Someone build an a circuit that translates a pot value into a time value.

 So.. you then build a plunger that uses gears that drive a pot.
(or rubber wheels or belts or chain driven...etc)

  The circuit would have to record some values to firstly see where the
position was,  and then when the values change radically swiftly..  where it
was at before that quick change.   This value would then be turned into
a time unit..  and would tell the PC to hold down button X for Y amount of time
before releasing it.

 An onboard micro pot could be adjusted to alter the time values.

 The biggest problem with this.. is that there is no realtime feedback.  There
of course will be a delay from when you realease the plunger.. and when
the ball will actually be pulled back and launched.  However, that still
seem more acceptable to me. 

 Also, if someone were industrious, one could probably hack a way to
use direct values in either realtime.. or...  to use the timer value as
an 'instant'b launch with a set power level based on that value
(not having to wait for the drawback animation).

[Crowquill]

Which would work better--a microswitch or a leaf switch. I don't know how much abuse the microswitch would take. I know people hit buttons pretty hard, but they don't do it everytime they hit it. The leaf may bend over time, but it could be bent back too.

[ahofle]

I like the potentiometer idea.  But rather than cludge it to work as a timer, it would be nice if VP supported an analog controller for it.  Doesn't seem like that would be a hard modification (you could even use a joystick then).