Wiring opinions

[TheGameAh]

Hey guys.  I'm getting ready to wire up my control panel and I had a few options I was exploring that I wanted to get your opinions on.

1.  I could just hardware the whole thing.  Not really an option.  I was to be able to either swap out or make multiple CPs with 1 IPac.

2.  I could use cat 5 wire (or any cable) and DB 25 connections.  Not a bad idea really.  Although I have slightly more inputs than 25, so I'd need two sets.  I could always use one DB 25 for the player one side, and the second for player two.  Not too bad.

3.  I could buy either 2 DB 25 cables, or 1 DB 37 cable, and cut it, and use those preexisting color coded wires.  


Which option sounds the best, or am I missing a better one?

Is cat 5 easy to wire up?  If it is, can I use quick disconnects with cat 5 wire?

When using DB plugs, do I need any special tools to make the wire stick in the plug?

That about sums it up    Thanks.

[Chris]

You could try three 12-position Molex connectors for 36 connections... this is what a real arcade machine would use, and it's easier to wire than a DB25....

If you're going to use DB25, get a used DB25 extension cable from a computer surplus store and cut it in half, giving you prewired, color-coded male and female DB25 connectors.

--Chris

[grafixmonkey]

Depending how many buttons etc. each player is supposed to have, I'd reccommend 15-pin molex's.  That gives you joystick (4), 6 buttons (10), coinslot (11), player start (12), ground (13), and two extra (15).

Or you could put coin slots on a different connector, and then 12 would be enough.  Maybe 12-pin molex for each player set, and a separate molex to handle coin slots, pause key, tab key, etc.?

[TheGameAh]

Where could I get 15 pin molex, and what is it generally used for?  I didn't stumbled across that in my searches.

[Chris]

Happ Controls has 'em... http://www.happcontrols.com/electrical_supplies/43025000.htm

[u_rebelscum]

Any good electronics store should have them.  Radio Shack is a maybe.

[Aceldamor]

I don't know where you live, but Fry's Electronics here in AZ has an entire section of different Molex Connectors. I buy my stuff there when it's cheaper than it is to pay for the part and shipping online at Mouser.com

[Hoagie_one]

how hard is it to reuse an old molex connector that is already wired up?  Can you easily remove wires and rewire them?

[grafixmonkey]

how hard is it to reuse an old molex connector that is already wired up?  Can you easily remove wires and rewire them?

Yes, they make Molex pin removal tools - but I can usually get them out with just a small flathead screwdriver.

[pmc]

Are those higher density Molex connectors as much of a ---smurfette--- to disconnect as 4-pin PC power connectors are? I damn near bloody myself every time I have to swap/replace/install a CD or hard drive (which is all the time for some reason). That's one reason why I stayed away from Molex when I did my CP. Maybe it's me.

[Chris]

They're meant to be snug, but you can shave down the bumps that lock them into each other you like them more loose...

[grafixmonkey]

I'll have to go home and play with my new 15-pin molex plugs and see how it goes.