2-Player Bartop

[Boxxle]

First thread, first build 

I'll be building a full-size cab with more horsepower in the future but a bartop will have to do for now.  Over the past couple of days, you guys have taught me so much, it's unbelievable.  It's amazing how much information is on here so a giant thanks to those who contribute!

As you can see, the Weecade was my inspiration for this build.

The hardware setup will be as follows:
- Raspberry Pi (early model B I had kicking around), overclocked w/ 16GB SD card.  Running RetroPie.
- 19" Dell LCD ($15 on Kijiji!) already decased.
- Some terrible speakers
- 2 knock-off psx USB controllers hacked for the control interface.
- Happ Ultimate Joysticks (or possibly Competition joysticks) and Happ buttons.

28-inputs total
(8 directional)
(12 play buttons)
(2 player start buttons)
(4 admin buttons - Esc, Enter, Pause, Coin)
(2 pinball buttons)


I'm not exactly sure what colours or themes to go with so as of right now, it's a blank canvas.  If anyone has a suggestion, I'd love to hear it!

Also, if there's anything you see here that you would do differently, please let me know and be harsh about it! 

Here's a screenshot of the model in sketchup (ignore the colours):

[Unstupid]

Where are your terrible speakers going to go?

[Boxxle]

Where are your terrible speakers going to go?

Sorry, I didn't include a few things in the model.  They're going to be mounted in the usual spot below the marquee with some type of drilled out hole pattern.

[jLid]

I also was planning on using some terrible speakers until I saw an amplifier on Amazon for $14.99 that has two speaker outputs available, couldn't be happier! 

[HaRuMaN]

I would make the marquee area a little taller.  It seems a bit narrow.

[Boxxle]

I would make the marquee area a little taller.  It seems a bit narrow.

I saw that as well once I put everything together.  Is there a standard size?

[HaRuMaN]

I would make the marquee area a little taller.  It seems a bit narrow.

I saw that as well once I put everything together.  Is there a standard size?

Not really.  Just from eyeballing I would say double that space there and see how it looks.  I try to keep about 4" of lightable height in my bartops.

[rablack97]

Hello and Welcome,

First, your CP buttons are too high up, but also don't bring them too far down or you will have install issues with the front panel buttons hitting the jstiks and the CP buttons.

Second,  the left jstik is too close the left hand side, account for the mount and the switch wire and ground, if you dont, it wont mount properly and you have to bend the microswitch terminals to get it to fit.  I've made that mistake before.

Take a look at Degenatrons modified plans, i've used these alot, also if you plan on using a retainer and not inserting the marquee inside of the gap, you'll gain about an 1" or so of marquee viewing space.  However if you follow these plan measurements you marquee will be fine...

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkZWdlbmF0cm9uc3xneDo2NjdlN2Y1YTg2ZGNkZGJi

Kinter and Lepai are my amp faves for bartops....

Not sure how wide you plan on making this thing but in my experience a 2 plyr bartop is really hard to play on especially the weecade design.  Folks add that functionality, but 2nd plyr rarely gets used and it's there for aesthestic reasons.  Mainly cause there is not enough space to comfortably play.

So in your design check your width spacing but adjust for height as well, so it doesn't look like a squatty body.

I like this design, CP is above the base which allows for more play space.  DL his plans as well and you will see how big that thing is to accomodate the appropriate play space.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123039.msg1306804.html#msg1306804



However these are just some ideas to ponder on....have fun and good luck

Oh yeah look into some KADES instead of hacks....way better..very versatile

http://emukade.com/

[rablack97]

dup

[PL1]

Avoid the Happ "Ultimate" stick -- reviews show the name is misleading.   

Goldleaf buttons are great for pinball flippers and don't take up as much space under the panel.

I doubt the Rasp Pi will have the needed GPU power for recent versions of Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.   

If you still want to run some pinball tables, don't forget to have a ball launcher/plunger button.

There is some overlap between VP/FP and MAME keys -- search for "magna-save" in my earlier posts for related details and other considerations.

Not so sure about your choice of encoders -- be sure to run tests with your emulators and front end before you commit to that option.


Scott

[leapinlew]

I've built one 2 person bartop. I wouldn't do it again, because it really doesn't save any space. But, if you want to see what I did you can see it here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,65651.0.html

[Boxxle]

Hello and Welcome,

First, your CP buttons are too high up, but also don't bring them too far down or you will have install issues with the front panel buttons hitting the jstiks and the CP buttons.

Second,  the left jstik is too close the left hand side, account for the mount and the switch wire and ground, if you dont, it wont mount properly and you have to bend the microswitch terminals to get it to fit.  I've made that mistake before.

Take a look at Degenatrons modified plans, i've used these alot, also if you plan on using a retainer and not inserting the marquee inside of the gap, you'll gain about an 1" or so of marquee viewing space.  However if you follow these plan measurements you marquee will be fine...

https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=ZGVmYXVsdGRvbWFpbnxkZWdlbmF0cm9uc3xneDo2NjdlN2Y1YTg2ZGNkZGJi

Kinter and Lepai are my amp faves for bartops....

Not sure how wide you plan on making this thing but in my experience a 2 plyr bartop is really hard to play on especially the weecade design.  Folks add that functionality, but 2nd plyr rarely gets used and it's there for aesthestic reasons.  Mainly cause there is not enough space to comfortably play.

So in your design check your width spacing but adjust for height as well, so it doesn't look like a squatty body.

I like this design, CP is above the base which allows for more play space.  DL his plans as well and you will see how big that thing is to accomodate the appropriate play space.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,123039.msg1306804.html#msg1306804

However these are just some ideas to ponder on....have fun and good luck

Oh yeah look into some KADES instead of hacks....way better..very versatile

http://emukade.com/

Thanks so much for the info, I'm definitely going to consider much of this.  I really like the cp mounted on top like in the photo you posted, it looks slick and doesn't limit the arm space.  The only thing is I feel the cp would get in the way of pinball controls (which I may scrap anyway).  For the joystick/buttons you see in my render, I just threw them on quickly as a rough layout to get an idea of what it might look like.  For the encoders, I've already purchased some usb controllers I plan on ripping apart.  They were dirt cheap and I love doing this sort of thing

If the controller hack doesn't pan out, I'll check out the kades.  For a PC based machine, I'd go i-pac.

Avoid the Happ "Ultimate" stick -- reviews show the name is misleading.   

Goldleaf buttons are great for pinball flippers and don't take up as much space under the panel.

I doubt the Rasp Pi will have the needed GPU power for recent versions of Visual Pinball/Future Pinball.   

If you still want to run some pinball tables, don't forget to have a ball launcher/plunger button.

There is some overlap between VP/FP and MAME keys -- search for "magna-save" in my earlier posts for related details and other considerations.

Not so sure about your choice of encoders -- be sure to run tests with your emulators and front end before you commit to that option.


Scott

Thanks Scott.  I think I'm going to get rid of the pinball option.  It's something that won't really be missed.  If I ever decide to build something with pinball going ahead, I'll definitely check out the goldleaf buttons and remember the plunger button!

I've built one 2 person bartop. I wouldn't do it again, because it really doesn't save any space. But, if you want to see what I did you can see it here: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,65651.0.html

Space isn't really a concern at this point.  I just want something capable of playing older games like frogger - street fighter.  When I start a full size cab, I'll be using much better hardware.  What were some of the things you'd change about your 2-player bartop? Would you have done a 1-player?

[rablack97]

If your going to build a 2plyr full size, there's really no need for the 2plyr bartop, I promise you plyr 2 will not be used very often.

Also, I agree the I-Pac is an awesome product, the KADE is an alternative and has been proven stable and effective when used in bartops.

What you dont see too often is a bartop with a t-ball, sacrifice the snd player with functional t-ball, it will get way more use.

Like so....this was done with the modified plans, you see your marquee will be fine...



Save the 2nd player for your stand-up build, i have all 3 in my house, and the 2plyr bartop get no real play when theres a 2 plyr full size accessible.  The 1plyr bartop gets more use than the 2plr, and at that ont the 2plyr only one person will play  on it at a time.

[Boxxle]

Ohhhh the choices!

I really like the idea of a trackball in the bartop but I'm not so sure about connecting it to a raspi, that's my only concern.

I'm starting to think about scrapping the bartop idea or putting it on the backburner, and building some sort of portable briefcase using the pi since it's so tiny.  (monitor in the briefcase)

[rablack97]

Here is a nice one....



if you have to have 2 plyr, be innovative like old Maximus....

Slim it down as you say, as Pi is so small

[rablack97]

Check out the video here for your briefcase idea....

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84113.160

[Boxxle]

Check out the video here for your briefcase idea....

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=84113.160

WOW! I was thinking briefcase as in aluminum briefcase with just regular gamepads.  That Bender dude is insane! Such a nice cab.  I'm still blown away.

[TheDude]

Hi !

I would definitely back up the 1-player solution instead of the 2-players one.
I built myself a vertical bartop for shmups and I use it all the time.

Check some other bartops at my site (link in my signature) if you're interested to see options in a convenient setting (meaning it's devoted to bartops only)

Good luck with your bartop !

[Boxxle]

Hi !

I would definitely back up the 1-player solution instead of the 2-players one.
I built myself a vertical bartop for shmups and I use it all the time.

Check some other bartops at my site (link in my signature) if you're interested to see options in a convenient setting (meaning it's devoted to bartops only)

Good luck with your bartop !

Hi Dude! Thanks for the link to your site, great forum with some good info. I signed up.

You should enable tapatalk :-)