Main > Main Forum

How do relay switches work and how do I know what I need?

(1/2) > >>

marioxb:
I want my control panel config to change for certain boards with a 6 in 1 JAMMA switcher. Some games (Tekken, SF) want the first 2-3 buttons on the top row. Others (Neo Geo, 2-3 button only games) work better on the bottom row. What I want to happen, for example is when I press button 1, JAMMA wires 1, 2 and 3 go to CP buttons A, B and C. When I press button 2, JAMMA wires 1, 2 and 3 go to CP buttons D, E and F. Something like that.

I hear talk of relay switches, but I don't know exactly what they are. How do I know what type I need? How many 'things' can be switched at once? I was thinking an AV switchbox would work (y'know, those things where you press a button to switch to having your PS2/ Xbox/ GameCube/ whatever to your TV?)..

I tried some google searches, but wasn't really sure what to look for. Is it a relay switch or something else I'm looking for?

PL1:
A relay is an electronically-controlled switch.



When power is applied to the coil (curly part and vertical line on the left), it generates an electromagntic field that pulls the switch arm(s) -- dotted line indicates that those arms will all be pulled by that coil.

Relays are described by the number of switch arms (poles) and the number of output contacts (throws).

To switch 6 buttons between two possible arrangements, you would need one of the following:
1. A six pole double throw (6PDT) relay similar to this (NOTE: haven't checked specs/coil power consumption)
2. Two 3PDT relays
3. Three DPDT (sometimes called 2PDT) relays

If you don't mind manually switching configurations, you can use this switch or something like it.
(Data sheet shows pinout for connections)




Scott

marioxb:
OK. I'm understanding a bit better. Now it should be OK for the ground wires to be connected all the time, correct? Also, what's the difference or dis/advantage of a relay vs a regular switch? I used to mod people's GameCubes with I think SPST switches to switch between Japanese and US regions. Pretty sure the switches weren't electronically controlled?

PL1:

--- Quote from: marioxb on August 14, 2013, 10:44:52 am ---Now it should be OK for the ground wires to be connected all the time, correct?

--- End quote ---
Right.  You'll just be changing which button connects to which wire.

Buttons --> relay/switch --> 6in1 harness --> 6in1 board -->  game boards


--- Quote from: marioxb on August 14, 2013, 10:44:52 am ---Also, what's the difference or dis/advantage of a relay vs a regular switch?

--- End quote ---
Relay advantages:
- Automated switching based on game selected

Relay disadvantages:
- Higher cost
- More effort to research/design the circuit
- More complicated wiring
- Have to tap game board voltage to energize the relay for games that use the non-default button configuration (only works if the 6in1 only powers the board currently in use)

Switch advantages:
- Lower cost
- Simple to wire

Switch disadvantages:
- Manual switchng
- Switch placement/mounting


Scott

marioxb:
Thanks again, Scott. Yeah the 6 in 1 (from jammaboards.com I think) supposedly powers only the selected board. I don't have it yet and only currently have 1 board (Tekken 2). Just looking at pinouts and planning ahead. I also plan on having a J-PAC as one of the 6 boards.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

Go to full version