Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Silly Burrito on May 15, 2008, 03:50:14 pm

Title: How do I use existing NBA Jam controls for players 3 & 4 with a PC?
Post by: Silly Burrito on May 15, 2008, 03:50:14 pm

I recently purchased a NBA Jam as my first cabinet, and it works great! At first, I thought about swapping out the control panel for one with more of the SF2/MK2 layout (the owner threw in a MK2 and Ultimate MK3 board with the purchase), but I think I'll just wait on that considering it's ready to go for four player action as is, and I can always build another cab strictly for fighting games. Plus, I'm hoping to land a NFL Blitz board so that I can play that...

Now my question...I would like to add a computer to compliment, but not replace the NBA Jam board (and hopeful future NFL Blitz board) inside. From what I understand, the JPac will easily allow me to use the JAMMA connector to connect for players one and two and their respective buttons, and there are screw terminals for the other buttons. But, my NBA Jam board has extra connectors that connect directly to the board for players 3 and 4, and I don't want to cut those harnesses to use the JPac's screw terminals.

Is there another option so that I can use the player 3 and 4 joystick/buttons without damaging the extra harness that is there, or am I missing something with the JPac? Does something exist that will allow me to quickly connect and disconnect to the current player 3/4 harness with wires that I can attach to the JPac, or even just plug in the harness itself and configure it within Mame?

I'm very new to having my own arcade cabinet, so I'll appreciate any help I can get!

Thanks!

Title: Re: How do I use existing NBA Jam controls for players 3 & 4 with a PC?
Post by: Chemixtry on May 15, 2008, 05:08:45 pm

You should be able to find the corresponding molex connector that you could wire to your jpac
(http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/molex100.jpg)
Bob Roberts sells some:
http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/conectas.html
Hope that helps
I know you dont want to cut the harness but here is an example of some who did and how they did it:
http://www.jeffsgames.com/arcade/restoration/jammarestoration.htm

I have a NBA Jam/Open Ice cab too. Awesome cab.

Title: Re: How do I use existing NBA Jam controls for players 3 & 4 with a PC?
Post by: Silly Burrito on May 15, 2008, 10:22:45 pm

Thanks. I'll look into that and see if that will do what I need!

Title: Re: How do I use existing NBA Jam controls for players 3 & 4 with a PC?
Post by: Silly Burrito on May 26, 2008, 09:26:38 pm

Ok, this may sound dumb, but how exactly do you put something like what is pictured together? Does it just snap in, or slide in? Do you have to solder the wires to that?

Also, to do what I'm thinking, I would have to buy something like a J-Pac for players 1 and 2, and for players 3 and 4, I'd have to get an IPAC since I'd need eight buttons for each player (4 for up/down/left/right, three play buttons, and the start button for each player). As far as I can tell, the JPac gives you five extra connections for players 1 and 2, is that right?