Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: DrumAnBass on October 11, 2008, 11:38:22 pm

Title: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: DrumAnBass on October 11, 2008, 11:38:22 pm

So I bought this little bartop "Little Casino II" game on eBay for $30. Not a classic by any means in my opinion, and generally a lame game.

(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/little_casino.jpg)
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/little_casino2.jpg)

It was working but the monitor was very flaky. Eventually the monitor died altogether.

Then I picked up a Compaq iPaq small form factor PIII 866mhz computer on ebay, and a 9" SVGA monitor
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/svga.jpg)

Decased the monitor and the computer and installed them in the frame of the original game. It was a very tight fit. I had to change the heatsink on the processor to a shorter one, and had to move the monitor chassis to an upside down position on top of the CRT.
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/new_guts.jpg)
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/mobo.jpg)

Decided on calling it "MiniCade" which I know is totally unoriginal but I couldn't think of anything better...

Here is the control panel close to being done. Joystick will be a Sanwa JLF in 4 way mode. 3 blue LED illuminated buttons.
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/cp1.jpg)
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/cp2.jpg)
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/minicade.jpg)

I am still debating on whether or not I should attempt installing a Kensington trackball I have. It would have to be mounted upside down and would be tricky to get it attached considering the limited space, but it would be kinda cool...
(http://PromoMotion.com/bartop/kensington_track.jpg)

Thats it for now; hope to make some additional progress in the next few weeks with the tiny bits of free time I can manage to grab to work on this...

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: IG-88 on October 12, 2008, 09:37:17 am

Very nice job  :applaud: This ought to be sweet when it's done.

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: IG-88 on January 21, 2014, 04:00:48 pm

So DrumAnBass, whatever became of this little project?

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: skjerk on January 24, 2014, 04:47:01 pm

Yeah! .... I really want to see how this turned out!  :dunno

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: opt2not on January 24, 2014, 04:49:43 pm

Was that pbj's bartop?

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: IG-88 on January 24, 2014, 04:54:33 pm

Looks like it, but I think not.

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: pbj on January 24, 2014, 08:25:48 pm

Ig, if you send your brother down for mine it's free.

 :P

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: IG-88 on January 25, 2014, 12:08:46 am

Tempting....

Title: Re: MiniCade 9" CRT bartop
Post by: DaveMMR on January 26, 2014, 11:37:35 pm

If you're still on the fence, let me try to talk you out of the trackball for two reasons: (1) even for simple TB games, there's not much space for follow-through. (2) A computer trackball is not as smooth as an arcade trackball. Of course, if you really have a "must-play" game that's TB controlled then maybe it's worth the effort. If not, I wouldn't try to squeeze one in just because you can. 

Maybe a spinner is a better option?  Arkanoid is a fairly fun game. 

Otherwise, cool project. I still love CRTs.