Grounding - Okay to 'Split' From Ipac and Computer Power Source?

[RoninEditor]

I'm a total 'electrical noob' so hopefully this isn't a stupid question... basically, I'm grounding my pushbuttons in a daisy chain (like the Delusional vid: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77412.0).  I'm wondering if I can ground my coin slot microswitches to the computer power source ground, like, chain it to the negative of my 12v LED lights (not sure if the 12v or 5v source matters?).

The reason I ask this is because, it looks like in Delusional's video that you have to keep it bouncing from one button to the next, in a straight chain vs. splitting one off into a "Y" to reach out to my coin slots.  If I can just split off from my Ipac's ground, going one to the coin slot micorswitch, then the other part of the "Y" getting the rest of the buttons on one side?  This would obviously be a lot easier, I'm just not sure if this is 'okay', without frying something.

(Another random grounding question, the Earth Ground from my trackball...?  Can I just screw that to a nut on my CP?)

[Ginsu Victim]

The coin switch ground should use the same ground as your buttons from the Ipac. Just make some long wires and use crimp connectors.

[lanman31337]

Yes, as Ginsu said, ground the switch to the IPAC.  Don't ground the lights though.

[ahofle]

(Another random grounding question, the Earth Ground from my trackball...?  Can I just screw that to a nut on my CP?)

I think the general consensus is to ground that to a screw on your computer case.  I believe it's only for the dispersion of static charges.  Mine hasn't been properly grounded and it's been fine for 5 years now.

[RoninEditor]

Yes, as Ginsu said, ground the switch to the IPAC.  Don't ground the lights though.

Is it gonna be a problem if the lights are ground...?  Well, I did some test runs and they all work well with it ground to the black cable out of the computer power supply (the positive to the yellow).  Will it have an issue down the road?

[RoninEditor]

The coin switch ground should use the same ground as your buttons from the Ipac. Just make some long wires and use crimp connectors.

Excellent.  I have the wires that are long enough to reach, I was gonna take that to the ground, then to the same ground, have my daisy-chained pushbuttons... that should be okay, right...?

[DaOld Man]

I grounded my trackball to the PC case. I used one of those test leads with alligator clips on each end. Cut one clip off and soldered to my trackball ground wires. I clipped the other end to the PC case. Attaching it to the case with a screw is probably better practice, but the alligator clip is a lot easier if I have to remove the PC for any reason. I havent had to yet, so next time I will probably attach it with a screw to the case.

[TheShanMan]

The reason I ask this is because, it looks like in Delusional's video that you have to keep it bouncing from one button to the next, in a straight chain vs. splitting one off into a "Y" to reach out to my coin slots.  If I can just split off from my Ipac's ground, going one to the coin slot micorswitch, then the other part of the "Y" getting the rest of the buttons on one side?  This would obviously be a lot easier, I'm just not sure if this is 'okay', without frying something.

There is nothing wrong with your ground chain branching off like a "Y", assuming the mechanical connection is solid.

[RoninEditor]

The reason I ask this is because, it looks like in Delusional's video that you have to keep it bouncing from one button to the next, in a straight chain vs. splitting one off into a "Y" to reach out to my coin slots.  If I can just split off from my Ipac's ground, going one to the coin slot micorswitch, then the other part of the "Y" getting the rest of the buttons on one side?  This would obviously be a lot easier, I'm just not sure if this is 'okay', without frying something.

There is nothing wrong with your ground chain branching off like a "Y", assuming the mechanical connection is solid.

That's awesome then... I'll just do that, muuuuuuuch easier.

[CrazyKongFan]

There is nothing wrong with your ground chain branching off like a "Y", assuming the mechanical connection is solid.

yeah, they just all have to be on the same electrical path...you could run a separate wire from the ground on the ipac to each switch, and it would work, but it would be awful crowded on that ipac ground terminal

[RoninEditor]

There is nothing wrong with your ground chain branching off like a "Y", assuming the mechanical connection is solid.

yeah, they just all have to be on the same electrical path...you could run a separate wire from the ground on the ipac to each switch, and it would work, but it would be awful crowded on that ipac ground terminal

That actually reminds me... it's a bit off-topic, but could I combine my coin slot mircoswitch wire and my 'free play' button into one terminal?  My goal would be that they both trigger the same outcome - a credit.  I figure it would be seemless for Ipac, not knowing where it's coming from but to give a credit regardless.  I just didn't know if that would confuse it though.

[GAJoe]

There is nothing wrong with your ground chain branching off like a "Y", assuming the mechanical connection is solid.

yeah, they just all have to be on the same electrical path...you could run a separate wire from the ground on the ipac to each switch, and it would work, but it would be awful crowded on that ipac ground terminal

That actually reminds me... it's a bit off-topic, but could I combine my coin slot mircoswitch wire and my 'free play' button into one terminal?  My goal would be that they both trigger the same outcome - a credit.  I figure it would be seemless for Ipac, not knowing where it's coming from but to give a credit regardless.  I just didn't know if that would confuse it though.

That should be no problem.  You can attach multiple microswitches to one I-PAC terminal.  This is how you can make ambidextrous controls with a right and left side button wired to the same terminal.

[TheShanMan]

Definitely. All you're doing is wiring them in parallel. I have 2 pause buttons and that is how they are wired. All the button does is short circuit the input to ground, and there's no reason you can't have more than 1 path that accomplishes that!

[RoninEditor]

Definitely. All you're doing is wiring them in parallel. I have 2 pause buttons and that is how they are wired. All the button does is short circuit the input to ground, and there's no reason you can't have more than 1 path that accomplishes that!

Awesome! 

I'm about 90% done now, well, when I make sure the wiring works