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Encoder Help - IPAC/Keywiz + LedWiz...how many?
deepblue:
Hi Guys,
I've got a cabinet project underway (my project thread is here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=79019.0), and despite my best searching and tremendous amount of reading I don't have full confidence that I understand what's needed to wire up my control panel the way I want it.
Probably easiest if I show a mockup of the panel, and then explain what I'm trying to do. Here's the (rough) mockup...:
Actual Size image here: http://www.repeater.ca/images/ControlPanelFinal.jpg
(not fully to scale, distances and orientation of objects are just approximate and rough for now)
After a LOT of reading, stewing and discussion, I've decided to use the following for the panel:
- 24 x Novagem Lightable Horizontal Pushbuttons w/ Microswitch
- 1 x Player 1 Pushbutton w/ Microswitch
- 1 x Player 2 Pushbutton w/ Microswitch
- 1 x Player 3 Pushbutton w/ Microswitch
- 1 x Player 4 Pushbutton w/ Microswitch
- 3 x Generic Pushbutton w/ Microswith (accessory buttons for shift, volume control)
- 4 x Happ Competition Joysticks
- 1 x ElectricICE Illuminated Trackball
- 1 x TurboTwist2 Spinner
So - with the above, I believe I can eliminate the Spinner and Trackball from the encoder equation, as I understand they are all-in-one units with USB cables, which leaves everything else - 24 Illuminated Pushbuttons and 7 Generic Pushbuttons + 4 8-way Joysticks.
My question is this: How many IPACs or Keywiz devices do I need for the above, and how many LEDWiz modules? What I'm not clear on is the LEDWiz - it says it is an "output controller" and "game controller"...does this mean it can handle some of the functionality that the IPAC/KeyWiz normally does, or is this a totally separate thing?
I guess once I have that answered, I really just want to understand how many output connections each button or joystick occupies, and how having LED's affects this. Once I understand this, I just need a lesson on how I need to power this arrangement.
I've tried to find a comprehensive tutorial on the above, but haven't had success...so any help from the experts here would be appreciated.
Thanks!
PS - the only thing I still have second thoughts on are the joysticks...part of me still wants a ball-top joystick, but I want something that will work well for all game types. Any advice here would be great!
deepblue:
bump? any help...please? ???
TheShanMan:
An IPAC4 would cover the inputs, and I haven't done any LED stuff so I'm not very familiar with LEDWiz, but I doubt it can handle inputs.
BTW, those joysticks will NOT "work well for all game types". They will be bad for 4 way games (many of the classics like donkey kong, pacman), 49 way games (like road runner), analog games (like paperboy, star wars), tron, any game that makes use of a rotating handle (like heavy barrel). Perhaps you don't care about all those games but since you appear to be new here I don't want you to be disappointed later if you haven't already learned about these distinctions.
deepblue:
Thanks TheShanMan - yes, I'm certainly "new", but like many others I'm trying to read, read, read as much as I can to learn before making costly mistakes!
Since posting I've been looking at a nice shiny set of Ultimarc Ultrastik Ball-tops. From what I've read they are very versatile, and can supplement for some IPAC4 inputs.
I guess putting these in the mix just complicated matters more, as putting 2 of these in will handle 8 button inputs a piece (for a total of 16), but then I guess I will still need to LEDWiz the buttons on top of this. Would I be safe getting 2 Ultrastiks and 2 Competitions (considering the P3 and P4 won't be used as frequently, and don't have the same demands from a versatility perspective)?
Can the Novagem buttons be controlled by the Ultrastick?
Thanks again for the input.
divemaster127:
yes, you need the ipac4 I carry the ultimarc lines & happ lines here on the forums, if you need a quote send me a pm & i can get you one, also my prices are posted in the buy/sell thread
thanks
dm