Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: javeryh on July 01, 2006, 06:54:34 pm
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I've got 10 buttons (4 admin) and a joystick for each player on my cabinet and I'm looking for a molex connector to run everything through so I can have a quick and easy way to disconnect my CPs for maintenance. Can someone please post a direct link to something like this? I was on the Molex site and couldn't find my way around... THANKS!
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Anyone? Would this work? Do I need to buy both "male" and "female" connectors?
(http://www.happcontrols.com/images/40/43025000.gif)
This is from the Happ website - http://www.happcontrols.com/electrical_supplies/43025000.htm. It's the only ones I could find - any help would be great!
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I would be inclined to go with a ribbon cable and headers for that many pins together. Alternately, I have my CP split into sections and use RJ-45 connections (cheap, easy to plug/unplug, and easy to assemble).
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You might also like to look through the bin at a Radio Shack.
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DB25 (Serial/Parallel) connectors are very easy to get for free and work well.
I've never been a big fan of Molex.
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I was thinking about dividing the plugs into "button" and "joystick" (dis)connections so I'd need something like 8 and 8. Where can I find these RJ-45 connectors? THANKS!
I would be inclined to go with a ribbon cable and headers for that many pins together. Alternately, I have my CP split into sections and use RJ-45 connections (cheap, easy to plug/unplug, and easy to assemble).
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RJ-45s are what are normally used for ethernet connections. The cables are easy; buy a cheap patch cable and cut one end off. If you're willing to trade a small premium for conveinence, Lowes carries basic networking supplies, and you can either plug it into a box or do a flush mount for a more professional look:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&N=0&Ntk=i_products&Ntt=rj-45
I based my CP on Doc's tremendously clever modular control panel:
http://www.beersmith.com/mame/panel_mounting.htm
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Thanks but that looks a little too complicated for me... I need something that's idiot proof...
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OK, I think I found something that will work but I have no idea which exact part to order. I assume I need a "recepticle" and a "plug" as well as the "sockets" and "pins" to connect the wires to. Am I on the right track?
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1079.pdf
http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1080.pdf
Also, they list .062", .093" and .084" - does it matter which one I get? I am using 22 gauge wires from radio shack.
THANKS!!!
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DB25 (Serial/Parallel) connectors are very easy to get for free and work well.
I've never been a big fan of Molex.
I agree. And molex aren't usually the easiest to plug and unplug anyway. I'd go for DB25
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Oh well, I went with the molex connectors anyway - I ordered 10 plugs (female) and 10 receptacles (male) with room for 4 wires (in-line) and 10 plugs (female) and 10 receptacles (male) with room for 6 wires (matrix). The size is .062" which is good for 18-24 gauge wire. I also ordered 100 pins and 100 sockets to use in the plugs and receptacles. I hope everything works OK. If anyone is interested, this is where I got everything from: http://www.mouser.com/catalog/626/1079.pdf
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Bob Roberts has a great selection of connectors...
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/conectas.html
I think that that the 9 position molex connectors are pretty much standard on JAMMA arcade machines as you only need 9 wires for each player to cover all the controls in the JAMMA spec.
For his "kick" harnesses (the extra buttons outside of the JAMMA spec) Bob uses the 6 position molex connectors...
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/plus.html
So, for a "fully loaded" 4 player cabinet...
Player1: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player2: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player3: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player4: Molex .093 9 position connector - 9 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,Gnd
Player 1&2: Molex .093 6 position connector - 6 wires - P1B4,P1B5,P1B6,P2B4,P2B5,P2B6
Player 3&4: Molex .093 6 position connector - 6 wires - P3B4,P3B5,P3B6,P4B4,P4B5,P4B6
Note that you need both male and female halves of the connector, along with pins for both sides.
You could also use a 12 position connector for each player and do away with the 6 position connectors entirely...
Player1: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
Player2: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
Player3: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
Player4: Molex .093 12 position connector - 12 wires - Left,Right,Up,Down,Start,B1,B2,B3,--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--,B5,B6,Gnd
The beauty of this system is that every player is identical and it makes changing player order fairly easy by swapping plugs.
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I love molex connectors. It takes a bit of practice to get those wires firm, but then it makes for a beautiful cab. And believe me, there will come a point when you are thankful you put in the time to use them.