Ultimarc A-PAC or U-HID ... for Pinball + Arcade

[ltek]

A-PAC has built-in connections for many more buttons than the 'stock' KL25Z with connection board (like from Cleveland)

U-HID controls LEDs ... I use basic LED buttons (Zero Delay encoder runs them now) but will not add flashy lights, etc. Maybe add (prob not) a shaker motor. I have Solenoids but dont like them - they dont sound realistic and I've tried several mounting methods (which changes the tone a lot)... I think the SSF sounds far more real.
 

I want to put on a pinball plunger with 10k 100mm potentiometer. Not doing Tilt bob, real coin chutes, or real nudge / accelerometer.

Also...

*Launch/Close apps using button holds/press
Right now I use Joy2Key to map some button sequences to open/close windows apps
Example...  ''Select" button hold for 3 seconds (mapped to ATL key) + "Play" button opens app (PinUp Popper frontend).


*LED Control
I want to be able to turn on/off each LED (inside the buttons) separately or all at once
... all at once at least for when not playing a game, but the system is on (for whatever reason like maintenance)
... individually when a specific app is open but does not use those buttons, they go dark.

... not sure if I can do that with wither Pinscape or Ultimarc?


thx!

[PL1]

considering getting an Ultimarc I-PAC Ultimate but I dont see anything stating it can take analog inputs... I want to put on a pinball plunger with 10k 100mm potentiometer.

The Ult. I/O has microswitch and optical (spinner/trackball) inputs, but doesn't have any analog inputs.

You'll need an analog encoder for your plunger potentiometer.

You can use an A-Pac, a U-HID, or roll your own using an Arduino -- a 32u4 board like the Pro Micro would be a good choice -- with a suitable gamepad firmware.

Before choosing which analog encoder to use, you may want to work through the "What type of build meets my needs?" entry in the FAQ.   

Depending on your desired setup, you can use an Ult. I/O for most of your controls and an analog encoder for the plunger.


Scott

[Fursphere]

Are you putting an analog pinball plunger on a standup arcade or a dedicated pinball cabinet? 

Either way I guess, I'd look into the Pinscape setup using a KL25Z board.   http://mjrnet.org/pinscape/index.html

You'll get inputs for flipper buttons, analog plunger, and even an onboard accelerometer for nudging support.  (and there are a ton of addons if you want to truly go down the VPin rabbit hole).  I use the basic board in my pinball cabinet.  Used a real pinball plunger (Williams style I think) and 3d printed a frame I found on thingiverse to mount the linear potentiometer. 

[ltek]

Yes, this is Pinball Cabinet (2k playfield + 1080p backbox) and plays vertical MAME arcade (works now and love it!). I'm running it now on a cheap USB Zero Delay Encoder but want more buttons.

A-PAC has built-in connections for many more buttons than the 'stock' KL25Z with connection board (like from Cleveland)
U-HID controsl LEDs ... I use basic LED buttons (Zero Delay encoder runs them now) but will not add flashy lights, etc. Maybe add (prob not) a shaker motor. I have Solenoids but dont like them - they dont sound realistic and I've tried several mounting methods (which changes the tone a lot)... I think the SSF sounds far more real.

[Fursphere]

So..   I've got:
Plunger
Ball Launch (for those tables that don't support a plunger)
Flippers
Magna-Save
Start
Exit
Extra Ball
Tilt (real title bob)
Coin in (real coin chutes too)
Service buttons (four of them on the coin door)
Coin Door Open

And shift-button support, just like an Ipac.   All running off a single KL25z board.

It sounds like you've got a hybrid cabinet - meaning there is a joystick and regular arcade buttons) You can keep the zero-delay encoder hooked up for the arcade controls (joystick + buttons) if you want alongside the KL25z.   They're just USB input devices.  You can have multiples. 

If you want to go down the A-Pac route, don't let me stop you.  Do they have accelerometers at this point for nudge support?  I thought only the IPAC ultimate had that.

[ltek]

mostly yes... not doing Tilt bob, real coin chutes, or real nudge / accelerometer.

Also...

*Launch/Close apps using button holds/press
Right now I use Joy2Key to map some button sequences to open/close windows apps
Example...  ''Select" button hold for 3 seconds (mapped to ATL key) + "Play" button opens app (PinUp Popper frontend).


*LED Control
I want to be able to turn on/off each LED (inside the buttons) separately or all at once
... all at once at least for when not playing a game, but the system is on (for whatever reason like maintenance)
... individually when a specific app is open but does not use those buttons, they go dark.

... not sure if I can do that with wither Pinscape or Ultimarc?

[Fursphere]

I don't know about the LED on/off stuff.   On my standup arcades, I use LEDBlinky w/ the Ultimarc iPAC Ultimate board to control RBG LED buttons.

The button lights in my PinCab are static - they just turn on/off with the PC power supply.  They run off the +5 vdc line.  I may switch them to controlled LEDs at some point.

[ltek]

@Fursphere what KL25Z add-on/connector board(s) are you using?  KL25Z itself is only $60 I dont want to solder stuff (I can but dont want to). Boards from places like Arnoz or Cleveland Software get expensive fast... the KL/Pinscape board + service buttons are $150 and then you still need to buy buttons, make wires, etc. The A-PAC (wiring but no soldering) is $40 and U-HID (with wiring harness) is $80.

[Fursphere]

No add on boards.  Just a stock KL25z. 

I bought Dupont headers off Amazon and just wired everything up.

[baritonomarchetto]

I cannot even imagine an arcade project without soldering... It's like pretending to fix a car without wrenches