Two player PC/PS3 control panel. Metal?

[Kaeru the Frog]

I'm looking to build a two player control panel to be used with the PC and Playstation 3. Looking for two-player gamepad encoders and all I've found is the A-PAC. Can anyone confirm that it will work with the PS3 or offer possible alternatives?

I'm also considering a metal panel in order to use those nice looking Sanwa buttons. Any information on this?

Thank you.

[DillonFoulds]

Gut a PS3 controller, you'll be able to pair it to ps3 with a usb cable, and use it on a computer, via usb connection.

[RyoriNoTetsujin]

You may already have this, but I would suggest the AXISdapter.  Original forum thread here:

http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=162026

Wireless use with the PS3, and like Dillon said, you can still hook it up to the PC via USB cable.  Yeah, you will have to use 2 cables (one for each "controller") but it's worth it for the ease of installation and use, especially on the PS3 side.

Can't help you with the metal CP idea, sorry! 

[DillonFoulds]

I've read about those cthulu boards. They seem to be pretty popular in the DIY arcade stick for console communities. Another thing I would recommend, if you're thinking about going with a metal plate just for the lower clearance sanwa hardware, you could try wood with a routed area on the bottom of the panel, or a common route is to use a lexan, rather than a sheet metal, as it will hold up to a large amount of the abuse you'll give it, and it's still thin enough to mount sanwa hardware on.

[mwong168]

I've read about those cthulu boards. They seem to be pretty popular in the DIY arcade stick for console communities. Another thing I would recommend, if you're thinking about going with a metal plate just for the lower clearance sanwa hardware, you could try wood with a routed area on the bottom of the panel, or a common route is to use a lexan, rather than a sheet metal, as it will hold up to a large amount of the abuse you'll give it, and it's still thin enough to mount sanwa hardware on.

Just to give you an idea for routing wood to make the parts fit better.  I my control panel from the bottom 9/16" (0.5625") on my 5/8" (0.625") MDF to mount my HAPP and iL competition sticks.



Then for my trackball I routed it on the top which is probably what you want to do for those Sanwa or Seimitsu sticks.



They are both easy to do once you have the template and depth measurements figured out.  When I started my bartop yesterday it took less than 3 hours from start to where I am at right now (check my thread if you are interested).

[Kaeru the Frog]

Those Cthulu boards have piqued my interest. USB gamepad question: If I connect two of them to a hub, is there a way to make sure the first is always recognized as player 1 and the second board as player 2? I don't want to reconfigure the controls everytime I move the panel from the PC to the PS3 and vice versa.

Can you route for Sanway buttons? What's the maximum thickness they can be installed in?

[mwong168]

Can you route for Sanway buttons? What's the maximum thickness they can be installed in?

Well it would all depend on the thickness of your control panel but would definately have to route from the underside or make the holes just tight enough to jam the button in to hold in place.  Should be fine but personally I would rather have it done right.




Also another interface board alternative from the Cthulu boards is the Sitong plug and play PS3/PC board.  This site has it for $29.99 for the entire harness and I was considering this for my bartop but since I had to order some stuff from groovygamegear I just paid a bit extra for another Key-Wiz which I am very happy with.


http://www.gtarcade.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16&zenid=df44bce09fdc914ea19326efb57d5d01

Another nice thing about this is it comes with quick disconnects already crimped to the wiring harness too!

[Franco B]

Can you route for Sanway buttons? What's the maximum thickness they can be installed in?

Just FYI Sanwa snap in buttons are OBSF, screw in type are OBSN. For Seimitsu, if the product code ends in P,K or no number at all its a snap in, if it ends in N its a nut type. If it ends in CP (I think) it means it has a translucent plunger, refer to the letters before (usually KN. i.e nut)

Obviously Sanwa OBSF and Seimitsu snap in types can be mounted in any thickness panel.

The Sanwa OBSN and Seimitsu nut styles can be mounted in panels up to 8mm thick. I read its 7mm but I have found 8mm is fine. 

As stated you can mount them to a metal plate or a section or acrylic etc with a section routed out below.

I believe the proper way to do it is to route out the area below the buttons but leave some material for extra strength. This is a cocktail panel I did for a customer made from 18mm MDF. I used 3mm acrylic and routed the MDF to 5mm thick around the buttons to give a total of 8mm. 









Before you go and buy a load of Sanwa buttons I would suggest you get a couple of Sanwa and a couple of Seimtsu to see what you think of them. Personally I am not a big fan of Sanwa buttons but I love the Seimitsu's but some people are the other way round.