usb port on front of cab?

[Shieldwolf]

I wanted to see if anyone had a usb port on the front of their cab. I was thinking of putting a multi-port directly under my cp on the front of the cab so i could plug in guns or dance pads other extra goodies. Any thoughts?

[F|end]

Sounds useful! Great idea!

How about several usb ports in front of the cab?  

In that way, you could connect several stuff, since your mobile phone, a usb flash drive (very useful) and a dance pad!

 

[Lilwolf]

Keyboard and player 3 / 4 controllers would also be great!

Good idea!

[shmokes]

I'd like to incorporate USB ports in my cab or control panel, but I'm at a loss as to how to mount them without it looking like a hack-job.  Any ideas?  I was thinking about cutting out a rectangle hole just big enough for the end of a USB extension cable, but I'm not sure how to secure it.

[SirPoonga]

Look in front of my monitor.

Here's a close-up
http://www.fe.donkeyfly.com/images/y_cab_usb.jpg

I eventually will have a graphic underneith the plexi which will hide everything.

I have them on here for the same reasons mentioned, 3 and 4 player gamepads and keyboard.  Will also be hooking ddr pads to it.

There is this crayola modeling foam.  When it dries it is hard.  I plan on making caps for the ports.  I might move the ports to under my control panel though so then I wouldn't need that.

[OSCAR]

I put a little 4-port USB hub under my control panel, too.  It's handy for connecting devices, but I don't do it that often.  I have an access hatch installed on the underside of the control panel for easy access to the USB  hub and panel clamps.


http://www.oscarcontrols.com/tmp/hatch-cp1.jpg
http://www.oscarcontrols.com/tmp/hatch-cp2.jpg

[HeadRusch]

I had originally planned to add a fan to the front of my cab, underneath my CP....well I put the 2" Hole in, but never added the fan.....tahnkfully its tucked RIGHT underneath my rather large CP so you dont see it unless you're 4' tall, or you're bending down to look for it.

Currently I have a nice little 4 port USB hub "wedged" in the round hole, it just fit perfectly.
Eventually I'll fill in the area around the hub with foam rubber or something so it looks better, but
yeah....its great for hooking up a USB trackball or a gamepad or whatever

[_Iz-]

I'd like to incorporate USB ports in my cab or control panel, but I'm at a loss as to how to mount them without it looking like a hack-job.  Any ideas?  I was thinking about cutting out a rectangle hole just big enough for the end of a USB extension cable, but I'm not sure how to secure it.

This is exactly what I'm planning to do. I'm going to cut a rectangular hole with a slight taper so as you shove the end in from the back it wedges just before it comes out the front. I also thought I'd apply some silicone to the hole (carefully) to act as "glue" to make the plug stay. If necessary, I'd also get some of those cable clamps you use to attach wire to a wall to use on the cable behind the plug just to make sure nothing moves.

[AlanS17]

I plan on adding USB ports just inside the coin door. That way you can use a regular USB hub without modification and nobody has to look at it. It's totally hidden. Plus I always leave the coin door unlocked, anyways. I may start locking it soon, though, if my machine gets popular at the frat house. Gotta pay for dues somehow!  

[said7]

Im building mine right now and I am planning a spot to incorporate a hub.

Under the front of the CP.

[Sprucemoose]

I found this on the web.  It looks like it could be incorporated into a flush mount usb hub very easily and its only $10.  Just make sure your motherboard has the 10 pin front header on the motherboard.  I think most motherboards Pent II and up have these.  It also has room for a floppy drive if anyone is so inclined.

http://www.slcentral.com/reviews/hardware/periph/antec/easyusb/

There are instructions on the site

[Hoagie_one]

http://www.datapro.net/products/80-3033.html



They have several kinds available, fairly cheap

[SirPoonga]

To add mine was really easy to do.  I just got one of those USB ports that go in the pci expansion slot with the header pins.  I split the ports into a usb cable and ran the ports to a hub inside.  To cut the plexi I used the pci plate as a guide.

[Sasquatch!]

Wondering the same thing.  

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=6412;start=msg44599#msg44599

[night]

im having a hard time thinking of things that would be plugged in/out on a regular basis
i like everything permanent so u just have to pull it out.... hmm.. but what about these dance pads. i didnt they had that for PC
how about my nintendo power pad, i could use tha

[AlanS17]

Well things like a gun would be pretty permanent, but a wheel would probably have to be removeable. If you have 3rd and 4th player handheld controllers those may be removeable, too. A keyboard might also be removeable if you don't have room to mount it.

[jakejake28]

how about my nintendo power pad, i could use tha

actually, you probley could hack it... gonna get mine down to test it out. prob being getting it hooked up to a pc...

i might try it, even tho u were jokin, cool idea

[meta87]

hmm.. but what about these dance pads. i didnt they had that for PC

From what I've heard, people buy the playstation dancepads and get the psx to usb converter. I'm thinking of doing this, the ladies like the dancepad.

[night]

ok, i guess it just didnt click for me. im gonna have removeable 3/4 player panels, and anything extra like a wheel, i'll just slide the 3/4 out and put the wheel panel in. all guns, extra crap, etc are gonna be hidden behind a glass door.

maybe its just my superior design

[AlanS17]

A glass door? On an arcade machine? I hope it's insured.  

[SirPoonga]

im having a hard time thinking of things that would be plugged in/out on a regular basis

For me, keyboard , ddr pad , player 3 and 4 gamepads, Analog joystick,and what ever comes up in the future.  That;s the wonders of usb.

[KevSteele]

I added a mini-USB hub from CyberGuys to my cab, next to my volume control pod:

http://retroblast.com/mameframe-details.html#Volume

It's been great for Players 3 & 4, as well as plugging in a USB hard drive for backups.

Kevin

[AlanS17]

im having a hard time thinking of things that would be plugged in/out on a regular basis

For me, keyboard , ddr pad , player 3 and 4 gamepads, Analog joystick,and what ever comes up in the future.  That;s the wonders of usb.

Yup, that's why my plans for a set-top console emulator will use all USB gamepads so I can upgrade and use different devices.

[thedemo]

I found these a while back. They are panel mountable USB couplers from a company called L-Com. I am planning on using them to put a small USB panel in my lower coin door. Might work for you as well, just need an ab extension cable to connect to your existing USB port(s).

http://www.l-com.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=3483&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=104&iSubCat=156&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=3483

[night]

A glass door? On an arcade machine? I hope it's insured.  

not actually a glass door.... hmmm, my screen is set about 4.5 inches back from the back edge of the CP. between the CP and monitor i have a sliding door made from the same smoked glass as the in front of the screen. you slide it back (goes under the monitor shelf) and under there will be volume, pause, light guns, headphones, etc.

[Hoagie_one]

Here's another option, one I find pretty good

[1UP]

Interesting how often we think alike, SirPoonga!    I am planning to make covers for the USB plugs on my Star Wars/ T2 panel from the tops of extra Happ pushbuttons.  These will pop in and out of the plugs as needed, keeping dust, pets, and kids out of there!  If this works out well, and if anyone else wants them, maybe I'll make them to sell...

[SirPoonga]

hehe, I was thinking more because of the way they are mounted if something spills they are screwed.

[shmokes]

USB ports hidden under false pushbuttons....not bad.  Not bad at all.  I might be in the market if you made these.  Surely they could not be very expensive.  Keep us posted.

[Chris]

I found this on the web.  It looks like it could be incorporated into a flush mount usb hub very easily and its only $10.  Just make sure your motherboard has the 10 pin front header on the motherboard.  I think most motherboards Pent II and up have these.  It also has room for a floppy drive if anyone is so inclined.

http://www.slcentral.com/reviews/hardware/periph/antec/easyusb/

There are instructions on the site

I have one of those behind my coin door; it has mounting points for a 3.5" drive, so it handles both USB access and floppy access.  I am also going to mount a small USB hub in the overhang beneath my control panel.

--Chris

[Sasquatch!]

I found these a while back. They are panel mountable USB couplers from a company called L-Com. I am planning on using them to put a small USB panel in my lower coin door. Might work for you as well, just need an ab extension cable to connect to your existing USB port(s).

http://www.l-com.com/jump.jsp?lGen=detail&itemID=3483&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=104&iSubCat=156&iSubSubCat=0&iProductID=3483

VERY nice!  That's exactly what I'm looking for!