Control Panel Connection

[FrizzleFried]

My new MAME project is such a beast that it will not fit through a regular door without the control panel removed.  In order to accommodate this requirement I will need to wire in some sort of connection interface.

I was thinking of just going with a hard drive cable,  however,  if I did that,  I would need to find a cable that had a FEMALE end as opposed to a regular MALE hard drive cable end.

Does anyone know where I can find such a thing? 

...or perhaps someone has a better idea as far as a connection interface? 

Thanks!

[Dudeman]

I'm not sure how many connections you need, but I'm using these:

http://tinyurl.com/3ceaqx

http://tinyurl.com/2j493s

There are solder ones too.

[mountain]

I'm not sure how many connections you need, but I'm using these:

http://tinyurl.com/3ceaqx

http://tinyurl.com/2j493s

There are solder ones too.

Frizzle,
This is what I used as well. If you aren't up to soldering them you can get these plugs with Molex pins that you just crimp.

[FrizzleFried]

Do you order online or do you drop by your local RadioCrap?  Do they have much of a selection at the B&M?

[Dudeman]

I got it at the local store. They usually have these in the area with the components.

Been looking and haven't see a male 40 pin connector for a HD cable.

[mountain]

I think Radio Shack might carry something with crimpable pins for the D-sub plugs. Mouser or Digi-key will have them but you will have to do a little research since they sell the pins and plugs seperately. The spec sheet or the plug will tell you the part number for the pins.

[Dudeman]

My local Radioshack also carries the solder in kind.

[bfauska]

I have used cables from PC recycling places and just cut them in the middle to use both ends.  If you buy parallel extension cables they work great.  The used computer place around here sells all their misc cables for $1.  They also have MB connectors that go from the MB to a card slot, which is a good way to get panel mount connectors.

[um3k]

If you're using an PS2 encoder and/or optical encoder why not just put the encoder(s) inside the CP box, then you only have to disconnect the keyboard/mouse PS2 cables to the PC to detach the CP box.

[mountain]

If you're using an PS2 encoder and/or optical encoder why not just put the encoder(s) inside the CP box, then you only have to disconnect the keyboard/mouse PS2 cables to the PC to detach the CP box.

I used a disconnect for the 5v line, 12v line, ground, coin 1, coin 2 etc. Of course these are optional depending on if one uses lights, coin door, etc.

[Senator]

I'm just a noob who's had a few and doesn't really understand the question.  My cp is too wide also but it just has a KB cable to the KeyWiz and a usb to the TB (I got wiring to the lite mite also).  I gotta say though, anytime I see Frizzle posting, I gotta check it out just to see the avatar...good stuff

[DaOld Man]

I did my control panels same as you.
I did use some terminal strips (Radio Shucks), that allow me to easily remove the coin door and trackball light wires, if the need ever arises.. (Just six terminals.)

As for Frizzles avatar.. I like it too. I Like it a lot...

[NickG]

My new MAME project is such a beast that it will not fit through a regular door without the control panel removed.  In order to accommodate this requirement I will need to wire in some sort of connection interface.

I was thinking of just going with a hard drive cable,  however,  if I did that,  I would need to find a cable that had a FEMALE end as opposed to a regular MALE hard drive cable end.

Does anyone know where I can find such a thing? 

...or perhaps someone has a better idea as far as a connection interface? 

Thanks!

you could use an ide gender changer like this for that idea.  Of course, this might just be a normal-length pin header with the plastic moved to the center.

[Wade]

If you're using an PS2 encoder and/or optical encoder why not just put the encoder(s) inside the CP box, then you only have to disconnect the keyboard/mouse PS2 cables to the PC to detach the CP box.

What he said.  That's what I did on my first MAME cabinet that has a wider CP on it.

Wade

[Dervacumen]

I have used cables from PC recycling places and just cut them in the middle to use both ends.  If you buy parallel extension cables they work great.  The used computer place around here sells all their misc cables for $1. 

This is what I ended up doing.  At first I bought DB35 plugs and the little crimp pins but that turned out to be WAY more work than just cutting a cable in half.  So I crimped the pins to the end of each wire that gets inserted into the encoder.  That keeps the wire ends strong in case I want to start swapping stuff around.

[xmenxmen]

No one mention, but you can always get a bunch of cat5 coupler to connect them.  All that's need is a few cat5 cable cut in half and one side wire to the control.  The other wire to the encoder.  Connect the 2 together and there u go. 

You can always go the wall plug type too.   That way you can even mount it somewhere.

[FrizzleFried]

I use a JPAC so i can't just stick it on the CP.  I went out and bought a 25 pin DSUB connector ...crimps tyle...