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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Dcpmark on January 21, 2013, 03:06:14 pm

Title: Easiest way to upgrade current control panel with a trackball and spinner?
Post by: Dcpmark on January 21, 2013, 03:06:14 pm
I have a HotRod SE built into a 27" cabinet. Everything works perfectly, but I just picked up an X-Arcade USB upgrade kit in case I needed to upgrade it one day. That got me thinking about how easy it would be to mod my HotRod with a trackball and spinner. What's the easiest way to accomplish this?

1) Use the X-Arcade USB upgrade kit to add one or both?
2) Don't install the new controller but just add both through USB and use in conjunction with the HotRod SE (if this is possible)?
3) Find a new CP with everything I want installed that fits in my 27" cabinet?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Easiest way to upgrade current control panel with a trackball and spinner?
Post by: Dcpmark on January 21, 2013, 04:08:19 pm
For example, could I keep the original HotRod electronics intact, and just add this for my trackball?

http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/x-arcade-trackball-assembly/ (http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-parts-and-accessories/product/x-arcade-trackball-assembly/)

If so, then all I have to do is cutout a place for the trackball in the HotRod. That would be easy.

If you can add a trackball that easily, can you add a spinner the same way?
Title: Re: Easiest way to upgrade current control panel with a trackball and spinner?
Post by: DarthMarino on January 21, 2013, 04:27:02 pm
For the spinner you could always just replace a current button you don't use with a TurboTwist II or drill another hole the same size.  It looks like some people have put a spinner right in the center.  Not sure you'd have enough room for a trackball.
Title: Re: Easiest way to upgrade current control panel with a trackball and spinner?
Post by: Dcpmark on January 21, 2013, 04:34:52 pm
For the spinner you could always just replace a current button you don't use with a TurboTwist II or drill another hole the same size.  It looks like some people have put a spinner right in the center.  Not sure you'd have enough room for a trackball.

Thanks! I just stumbled across that USB spinner, and looks easy to install. So I can add as many USB controllers I want to use in conjunction with the HotRod, right?

I have seen other HotRod panels with trackball mods in the middle, and it seems like there is plenty of room for a 3" trackball. I also saw this 2 1/4" trackball, but I don't know if its any good:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-2-1-4-Trackball-MAME-PS2-Arcade-Pc-Not-HAPP-/120966914183?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a30a087 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-2-1-4-Trackball-MAME-PS2-Arcade-Pc-Not-HAPP-/120966914183?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a30a087)

The only question is now I'm getting close to $200 for those two mods, and it seems like for that price I should be able to buy a new control panel with a trackball and spinner already in it.
Title: Re: Easiest way to upgrade current control panel with a trackball and spinner?
Post by: DarthMarino on January 21, 2013, 04:39:42 pm
So I can add as many USB controllers I want to use in conjunction with the HotRod, right?

The TurboTwist (or any other addition, really) would have it's own USB wire but MAME won't care about that.
Title: Re: Easiest way to upgrade current control panel with a trackball and spinner?
Post by: Dcpmark on January 21, 2013, 04:47:25 pm
So I can add as many USB controllers I want to use in conjunction with the HotRod, right?

The TurboTwist (or any other addition, really) would have it's own USB wire but MAME won't care about that.

That's what I thought but I wanted to make sure. Thanks again!