The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Veinman on June 09, 2005, 10:35:56 pm

Title: PCB Mounting questions
Post by: Veinman on June 09, 2005, 10:35:56 pm
I'm very close to the wiring stage of my control panel  :D and have a couple questions that I didn't see specifically answered in searching the board. Here goes-

My CP box is 15" x 47" so there is plenty of room. I am mounting an IPAC4 and the new Druin board (very small). I have 2 sets of PCB mounting feet already purchased.

1. I was planning on mounting both boards to the floor of the CP box. Sound okay?

2. Is there a recommended distance I should place between the two boards, or should I just place them as far from the controls above as possible?

3. This is my first wiring job. Would things be easier for me if I mounted the boards first, then attached wires, or should I attach everything and THEN mount the boards to the feet?

4. As far as the PCB mounting feet themselves, am I correct that I "sandwich" the board betwen the foot and the long plastic piece that keeps the bolt from going very deep? I know I didn't explain that very well, but my guess is that if you know the answer, you get me. ;)

Thanks. :)
Title: Re: PCB Mounting questions
Post by: Bones on June 10, 2005, 03:46:32 am
I mounted my PCB first and directly to the MDF under my control panel (not in the CP box itself). My PCB feet were like little rubber grommets. I just screwed (by hand), a woodscrew right through everything.

I showed my own wiring experiences and layout in some detail recently, dunno if this helps you. http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,35285.msg329698.html#msg329698

Title: Re: PCB Mounting questions
Post by: Tiger-Heli on June 10, 2005, 08:53:57 am
1. I was planning on mounting both boards to the floor of the CP box. Sound okay?
Sounds okay (that's where mine is).
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2. Is there a recommended distance I should place between the two boards, or should I just place them as far from the controls above as possible?
Just make sure the joystick or the wiring coming off it can't hit them as it moves.  8)
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3. This is my first wiring job. Would things be easier for me if I mounted the boards first, then attached wires, or should I attach everything and THEN mount the boards to the feet?
I think this is personal preference.  I have a 12x24 desktop controller and I think it would be easier to wire it up and then mount the board, but if you have a less tight space to work in you might prefer to do it the other way.  Doesn't apply to you, but my only REAL concern would be on a KeyWiz Max or GP-Wiz32 Max board, I would definitely connect the (GND?) wires going to the terminals on the same side of the board as the keyboard connector before mounting the encoder.
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4. As far as the PCB mounting feet themselves, am I correct that I "sandwich" the board betwen the foot and the long plastic piece that keeps the bolt from going very deep? I know I didn't explain that very well, but my guess is that if you know the answer, you get me. ;)
Errm, I think I know the answer, but I didn't get you  :P  You mount them like the picture mid-way down on this page: http://www.ultimarc.com/optipac1.html  (but you don't need to stack them  8) )
Title: Re: PCB Mounting questions
Post by: Veinman on June 10, 2005, 08:56:35 am
Okay, that pic tells me that I only need the long plastic cylindrical piece if I do intend to stack, which I don't.

Thanks for the tips, all!