Improper ground loop causing problems?

[ddoyle1996]

I have described problems with my Ipac in another post.  I get weird results (random movements) when playing games.  

I had a question about a ground loop - when I wired up my CP, I had one wire from the Ipac for each player's controls.  The wire went to the coin button for that player.  From there, I made a loop to the player's controls.  This is not the same as a regular ground loop since the loop actually starts and ends at the coin switch and not at the ground terminal of the Ipac.  Could this be causing the problem?  I'm not real familiar with electronics, but I thought this would work.

[BobA]

When you say that the loop starts and ends at the coin switch do you mean that that is the main ground?  Is there a wire from that ground terminal that goes to ground? Is the ground terminal of the IPAC tied into the circuit?  If so where?  

You have the potential of creating a floating ground if you have not provided a proper ground for the IPAC.  From your description of random problems I would say that there is a good possiblility that your switches are not properly grounded.

Rewire your circuit without the shortcut you have described and use the ground on the IPAC as the main ground for your switches and you may resolve your problems.

BobA

[ddoyle1996]

I have one wire going from the coin switch to the Ipac ground.  Then I have a loop through the rest of the switches starting and ending at the coin switch.  So, it looks like this:

Ipac ground -> coin switch -> button 1 switch -> button 2 switch -> ... ->  Last button switch  -> coin switch

[BobA]

The circuit as you described looks like it will work.   I have some suggestions.

1.  Check that the coin switch ground is really the common terminal.  Some coin switches have different terminal designations then regular button switches.

2.  From the last button can you run to the ipac ground rather then the coin switch?  

Are there 2 coin switches on doors or are you using buttons?  When you say coin switch do you actually have 2?

BobA

[ddoyle1996]

I have 2 buttons for the coins.  When I said "coin switch," I meant the switch in the button I use for coins.  

[BobA]

Ok sounds like your ground loop will function as wired.  Probably not the cause of your flakey operation.

Looking at your previous messages it look like you have alot going on.  You might want to systematically eliminate some of the problems by starting from scratch and test things as they are installed.

1. Do a clean install of windows and make sure you have only the drivers that you want.

2. Check with a keyboard only to determine if you have an IPAC problem or other problem.  Contact Andy if an IPAC problem is indicated.

3.Run MAME via command line to make sure things work.

4. Install your frontend and see what occurs.

BobA