Author Topic: AimTrak-Converting a Namco Recoil Gun (Read 155025 times)

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #40 on:** May 31, 2012, 05:44:34 am »

Have you counted me as one of the interested ones

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #41 on:** May 31, 2012, 07:08:51 am »

Quote from: Mark Thomas on May 31, 2012, 05:44:34 am

Have you counted me as one of the interested ones

Yes sir

lodoss118 · « **Reply #42 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:15:19 am »

also me

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #43 on:** June 02, 2012, 07:46:40 am »

PM sent to all who have shown interest.

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #44 on:** June 04, 2012, 12:10:17 pm »

I've completed the PCB design for the solenoid driver. This board can be used with the AimTrak to drive any 24VDC solenoid, not just the Namco solenoid. This circuit is a bit different from my initial posting. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the first and much simpler version of this that I posted. However for the kit, I've designed it as an opto-isolated circuit for greater isolation of the driver circuit from the AimTrak. I realize this is entirely overkill.

Designing a PCB makes it a snap for installation (no soldering or splicing)... to accomplish this it has been given two connectors...

- A 9Pos .100 connector with connections for the solenoid coil, 24VDC+/- with pass through of the AimTrak connections Ground, P1, Aux and Trigger. I decided to do the pass through on the AimTrak lines of Ground, P1, Aux and Trigger to make it easier connecting to external switches. Doing this affords me the capability of using 20-24AWG wire as the AimTrak connector uses a very light gauge wire that is a bit tricky to use with quick disconnects.

- A 5Pos 2.00mm connector that will directly connect (with harness of course) to the AimTrak's P1 1.25mm connector.

In the event the coil you are using does not have the kick-back diode in-line with the connector (like the Namco does), I've included a placeholder on the PCB for installation of that diode.

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #45 on:** June 05, 2012, 09:57:10 pm »

My pea size brain doesn't understand any of this but it sounds good

definitely interested in placing an order

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #46 on:** June 06, 2012, 09:26:48 am »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 06, 2012, 12:30:52 am

I think this is a cool project.

However, how about covering more bases? For example, T2 guns use a solenoid that has a variable fire rate, that the game controls. Howard C. makes a program "Mamehooker" that works with mame, and passes all the force-feedback data from mame, to any FFB device.

I think a LOT of people would Love to have correct FFB in T2, myself included. But you just cant simply have an auto-fire option.. It has to be linked to the actual games output.

There are also many other game which have FFB coils, such as Qbert, Road Riot. And games like Outrun, which power on the awesome Shaker motor. As well as the possibility of making a true motion cockpit game (they run on worm gears and motors). Good powerful Force feedback wheel control is another option that is lacking too.

Finally, I have already spent good money on the LCD Topguns. Id prefer not to buy more guns... nor to be locked down on the FFB device... should even better guns come out. (which has happened several times already) A universal FFB driver kit would be much more optimal in such a case.

Another great option for FFB, and probably a big seller, would be for virtual Pinball tables. You could power 2 real flipper coils, a couple of kicker/pop bumper coils, and maybe some effect lights (flasher bulbs). The vibration effect of real coils would make the tables feel more realistic. The ability to control a bunch of coils, motors, and lights, could lead to actual physical prototype table creation too... but that may be going too far for your intended market.

Thanks and I agree. I kept this project specific to the AimTrak and what would fit inside the gun case, however I do have some other design considerations for the stuff you've outlined. I need to do a little more digging into what would make sense for a reasonable FFB kit type project.

Thanks for the input.

hbk_life · « **Reply #47 on:** June 12, 2012, 03:31:44 am »

Hello!!

I just saw this post and would love to discuss perhaps getting a gun? could you please IM me with some pricing estimates? would be great.

CHeers

Paul

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #48 on:** June 12, 2012, 01:07:42 pm »

Quote from: hbk_life on June 12, 2012, 03:31:44 am

Hello!!

I just saw this post and would love to discuss perhaps getting a gun? could you please IM me with some pricing estimates? would be great.

CHeers

Paul

PM sent

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #49 on:** June 12, 2012, 08:28:16 pm »

Solenoid Driver/Interconnect Boards came in today... I stuffed one real quick to give you all a sample. I've included my first proto board in the photo.

smalltownguy · « **Reply #50 on:** June 13, 2012, 10:22:26 am »

I'm super interested in this project. Time to find a Namco gun.

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #51 on:** June 20, 2012, 12:44:47 pm »

I ordered 2 from arcadespareparts.com not arrived yet bu they have assured me the quality is second to non.

http://www.arcadespareparts.com/arcade_parts/shooting_parts/time_crisis_gun_assembly/13199.html

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #52 on:** June 20, 2012, 01:04:45 pm »

Quick update... I'm waiting on a couple of things. I needed to make a change to the camera mount so I need that to come in and I am still waiting on USB connectors...then I can start building these up.

I've not forgot... its just taking a little longer than I expected.

lodoss118 · « **Reply #53 on:** June 21, 2012, 05:42:22 am »

don't worry take your time on designing and building this, i am sure will all appreciate the effort you are putting into this .

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #54 on:** June 26, 2012, 08:48:40 am »

Quote from: lodoss118 on June 21, 2012, 05:42:22 am

don't worry take your time on designing and building this, i am sure will all appreciate the effort you are putting into this .

Yes agreed no need to rush, I would rather have a perfect product than the first version to have issues that then see many revisions to follow to fix it. Your doing great work mate hope you get a lot more interest as I think this is a great addition to any cab.

- UPDATE - My Namco guns from arcade spare parts have arrived in the Uk but are being held till I arrange the payment of the £45 import tax, if anyone is interested I could post pics of the quality of these guns? Let me know.

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #55 on:** July 11, 2012, 09:24:35 pm »

Tax paid guns due for delivery later today pics to follow

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #56 on:** July 12, 2012, 08:58:27 am »

Quote from: Mark Thomas on July 11, 2012, 09:24:35 pm

Tax paid guns due for delivery later today pics to follow

Great. I'm going to be building up the kits towards the end of July.

Each of these kits includes 3 feet/(914mm) of conduit with the USB and power lines extending 1 foot/(304mm) beyond the end of the conduit. If you need more that... please specify as its an additional $2.00 per foot/(304mm).

kmhamel · « **Reply #57 on:** July 20, 2012, 11:17:03 pm »

hello, left a pm about a couple of boards.

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #58 on:** July 21, 2012, 06:57:27 am »

Quote from: kmhamel on July 20, 2012, 11:17:03 pm

hello, left a pm about a couple of boards.

I have not received any PMs recently.

Griff08 · « **Reply #59 on:** July 22, 2012, 11:51:47 pm »

Good Day,

I would like to purchase one of your Namco Recoil Gun Aimtrak conversion PCBs. I would also like the little custom piece for mounting the Camera.

Any chance your device could modified to receive an output from MAMEHOOKER to have authentic recoil feedback?

Perhaps the AimTrak PCB itself could sense this from MAMEHOOKER and then pulse on its pins?

Thanks Much

lodoss118 · « **Reply #60 on:** July 24, 2012, 07:46:43 am »

Hi retro I am sure we are all still interested, probably best to keep a mailing list of us. Whats the current status on the kits?

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #61 on:** August 01, 2012, 05:45:13 am »

Well considering I paid a small fortune and was assured that I was recieving genuine Namco replacement guns I am very dissapointed that the guns actually say Named rather than Namco. The truth is they may actually be top notch quality but not use the officially licenced name as they may not have Namco's aproval. They certainly look nice enough and feel very sturdy and like the Namco guns.

XtraSmiley · « **Reply #62 on:** August 02, 2012, 10:00:44 pm »

Well to be fair, they DO say Named on that link you posted...

That being said, sorry you got duped, been there myself...

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #63 on:** August 03, 2012, 02:01:16 pm »

Quote from: lodoss118 on July 24, 2012, 07:46:43 am

Hi retro I am sure we are all still interested, probably best to keep a mailing list of us. Whats the current status on the kits?

Yeah... I have a list. At this point I am sold out. You are on the list.

Please hang in there... I've not dropped the ball... my free time is ultra slim.

Thanks
Jim

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #64 on:** August 03, 2012, 02:03:44 pm »

Quote from: Mark Thomas on August 01, 2012, 05:45:13 am

Well considering I paid a small fortune and was assured that I was recieving genuine Namco replacement guns I am very dissapointed that the guns actually say Named rather than Namco. The truth is they may actually be top notch quality but not use the officially licenced name as they may not have Namco's aproval. They certainly look nice enough and feel very sturdy and like the Namco guns.

I'd be pretty surprised if they weren't made by the same manufacturer that produces the Namco gun. Pretty typical Chinese manufacturer "one for you Namco and one for me" type tactic... lets change the name to Named and we are good to pirate the product!

If it bugs you... you could buy Namco slides

mooseman1 · « **Reply #65 on:** August 21, 2012, 06:16:25 pm »

I'd be interested in one of these, if you're still doing this project.

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #66 on:** August 21, 2012, 06:27:34 pm »

Quote from: mooseman1 on August 21, 2012, 06:16:25 pm

I'd be interested in one of these, if you're still doing this project.

Still here still doing this... Thanks for everyone's patience.

At this point they are all spoken for... I have 2 I'm keeping for myself ... however I might end up selling them and if I do I'll let you know.

Thanks Again
Jim

mooseman1 · « **Reply #67 on:** August 21, 2012, 07:03:22 pm »

Ah ok. Well yeah, if you do please let me know, or if more people registered interest would you maybe do another run? I think most of it is way beyond my technical skill level, so would probably be most interested in a complete gun.

Mark Thomas · « **Reply #68 on:** August 22, 2012, 10:09:13 am »

Think you guys are spot on as the quality feels very good as far as I can tell.

Endprodukt · « **Reply #69 on:** September 10, 2012, 12:24:39 pm »

I'm interested in the whole thing, still doing this? If so, do you have any camera mounts left?

Thanks!

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #70 on:** September 10, 2012, 12:41:22 pm »

Quote from: Endprodukt on September 10, 2012, 12:24:39 pm

I'm interested in the whole thing, still doing this? If so, do you have any camera mounts left?

Thanks!

I am still doing this (although it may look as if I dropped the ball)

My free time is very limited in the summer due to work demands.

Sorry about the delay folks.

Thanks
Jim

Endprodukt · « **Reply #71 on:** September 25, 2012, 06:47:05 pm »

I'm looking to extend the gun hose that is on an original namco gun. looks like it's from a shower... anyways... it's WAY too short. What can I use? I tried to seperate the hose from the fitting and look for something in the diy store but I couldn't remove the fitting. It seems to be held with too little screws but getting them out did nothing. Any ideas?

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #72 on:** September 25, 2012, 06:56:36 pm »

Quote from: Endprodukt on September 25, 2012, 06:47:05 pm

I'm looking to extend the gun hose that is on an original namco gun. looks like it's from a shower... anyways... it's WAY too short. What can I use? I tried to seperate the hose from the fitting and look for something in the diy store but I couldn't remove the fitting. It seems to be held with too little screws but getting them out did nothing. Any ideas?

There are different versions of the hose... got a pic?

Endprodukt · « **Reply #73 on:** September 26, 2012, 10:48:08 am »

It's the same as Mark Thomas.

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #74 on:** September 26, 2012, 10:51:14 am »

Quote from: Endprodukt on September 26, 2012, 10:48:08 am

It's the same as Mark Thomas.

Sure... I've not seen that type in person. There may be a split pin in there or something that needs to be punched out. Detailed pic would help figure that out. Marks photos don't show the hose mount up close and removed from the plastics.

Endprodukt · « **Reply #75 on:** September 27, 2012, 03:08:53 pm »

Got it off... now I need to find a replacement

RetroACTIVE · « **Reply #76 on:** September 27, 2012, 03:14:51 pm »

Quote from: Endprodukt on September 27, 2012, 03:08:53 pm

Got it off... now I need to find a replacement

I have a replacement... Not sure if you are interested. It's black plastic conduit.

Endprodukt · « **Reply #77 on:** September 28, 2012, 04:13:28 pm »

Went to the diy market and got a 5 feet metal shower hose... because that seems to be what they actually used. it was a little too big for the fitting but with some crafting I got it working... looks like the original one but longer. awesome

Endprodukt · « **Reply #78 on:** October 01, 2012, 07:52:39 pm »

btw... do you know about any good replacement for the solenoid that's not $120!?

kmhamel · « **Reply #79 on:** October 01, 2012, 08:23:30 pm »

Quote from: Endprodukt on October 01, 2012, 07:52:39 pm

btw... do you know about any good replacement for the solenoid that's not $120!?

these work great, you just need to cut the shaft to length and cut a slot for the e-clip. Use the spring that comes with the gun and washers to fit since the solenoid is smaller than the one in the gun.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Spring-Return-Pull-Type-Electric-Solenoid-24V-3-7-lbs-Pull-24V-Solenoid-/140633863703?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20be6e7617


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