cheapy 'Zero Delay' USB encoder

[pbj]

Relays are extraordinarily useful and simple once you get the hang of it.  You'll think of a million uses for them once you've gotten this problem solved.

[melvinbates]

Relays are extraordinarily useful and simple once you get the hang of it.  You'll think of a million uses for them once you've gotten this problem solved.

And they make such a satisfying clicking noise.  But I agree with PL1, run a 5v relay and remove the zenner diode from your mech.  Even if it pulses out a 12v signal, the duty cycle on your relay will be low enough it won't affect anything or even get a chance to warm the coils.

[InfantSorrow]

Hi guys. I am back home and I have re-entered my lab... ready to battle again lol

I've taken a look at the wiring diagram of my 5v relay. Have a question because it doesn't explicitly mention COM / NO /NC etc.

I have colour code tagged the diagram with what I assume it means.

[PL1]

You're reading schematics like a pro.   


Scott

[InfantSorrow]

You're reading schematics like a pro.   


Scott

lol why, thank you Scott.

[InfantSorrow]

Gentlemen....

We have liftoff...

I would like to thank Bob,Peabody (pbj), Melvin, Yotsuya... everyone that made this possible.

*Infant begins to sob* But a special thanks has to go out to my agent... Scotty Maguire (PL1)
You are my ambassador of 'cade man.

[PL1]

Glad to hear it.   

Now for the testing and documentation.   

Are you getting chatter on the relay?

You should be able to drop 10 coins and get 10 credits -- test this using an old-school game that only does 1:1 coin/credit ratio.

Also, try putting the zener diode back in -- it should work as a snubber for this setup if you have any chatter.

Do you mind taking a few good pics (side view and front angle view with a contrasting/neutral backdrop) of your coin recognizer for the wiki?


Scott

[InfantSorrow]

Will do my wingman Scott lol

At the office now though, have a spring in my step.

Whats the next challenge? lol

[InfantSorrow]

Glad to hear it.   

Now for the testing and documentation.   

Are you getting chatter on the relay?

You should be able to drop 10 coins and get 10 credits -- test this using an old-school game that only does 1:1 coin/credit ratio.

Also, try putting the zener diode back in -- it should work as a snubber for this setup if you have any chatter.

Do you mind taking a few good pics (side view and front angle view with a contrasting/neutral backdrop) of your coin recognizer for the wiki?


Scott

Scotty

1 coin drop registers a credit

I will take pics of everything when Its done and not so crappy looking. Going to solder the relay to the wires from the coin mech and usb encoder.
Right now they are just crudely tied together. (Soldering is another thing I know nothing about, so bear with me lol)

Woodworking.. I am an old pro at that!

[melvinbates]

Glad you got it working.   

[PL1]

Soldering is another thing I know nothing about

There's a thread here for that.   


Scott

[InfantSorrow]

Soldering is another thing I know nothing about

There's a thread here for that.   


Scott

This is why you are my wingman... lol

[InfantSorrow]

Okay, just to keep you guys posted.
Got my mdf boards today, production shall begin in earnest lol

Getting the jigs out as we speak.

Also, received an arcade usb encoder kit from the chinaman Saturday.
This one isn't zero delay though, it kinda looks like a mini ipac. (Think its called a xin mo)

Anyways, chairman xin mo can be reviewed some other day. Right now I have bigger fish to fry lol

[InfantSorrow]

Okay people..

I tested the xin mo usb encoder, it seems better made and easier to config to work with coin mech. (Similar to the way an ipac works)

You need to tell me these things..
I'm the bossman... need the info.... lol

In hindsight, I would have gone this route

[bradx]

i started with the ipac years ago, switched to the keywiz, and honestly, for the projects i do, i have found the ZD encoder to be cheapest and easiest by far.  i admit, my projects are not as spectacular as some of yours, but i have gotten satisfactory results for myself and friends from the ZD.  compared to messing with the other older interfaces, i had the ZD wired up in just a couple minutes.  obviously, its not for EVERY application, but for a simple, quick, cheap interface its unbeatable! 

[InfantSorrow]

i started with the ipac years ago, switched to the keywiz, and honestly, for the projects i do, i have found the ZD encoder to be cheapest and easiest by far.  i admit, my projects are not as spectacular as some of yours, but i have gotten satisfactory results for myself and friends from the ZD.  compared to messing with the other older interfaces, i had the ZD wired up in just a couple minutes.  obviously, its not for EVERY application, but for a simple, quick, cheap interface its unbeatable!

SILENCE!! I will not tolerate your insolence!
lol

I agree the ZD is bang for your buck but it is a mission to get a coin mech going.
If you don't wish to go full arcade simulation then by all means, go ahead. I recommend the ZD for ease of use.

But if you willing to pay just a little more and want something a little better made with easier coin mech hookup, then get the chairman xin mao

[InfantSorrow]

Okay, throw me a freak'n bone here Scott...

[InfantSorrow]

No way to get the latest mame working with Joy2key anyone?

[InfantSorrow]

No way to get the latest mame working with Joy2key anyone?

My god, you certainly are a handsome fellow, Infantsorrow.

Allow myself to introduce... myself.
I am you from the immediate future, a future in which you have already solved this problem.

The answer to your conundrum is to compile Mame with DirectInput support.

Cheerio,
Me

[PL1]

Quick q. Would there be any particular reason why my NC and NO are working in reverse when wired up to the xin mo?

When coin mech is on NO, windows joystick config reads the button as being pressed by default and a coin drop registers as a non press.
With NC its vice versa.
When on NO, the coin mech works fine and will be responsive for all coin drops. (Albeit, working in reverse order with a coin drop registering a non press)
But when I use NC (which works in the correct manner) after a while the coin mech seems to stop registering input

Have you seen this kinda thing before? Maybe I should reverse the wires from the coin mech to chairman mo?

When in doubt, go back to basics.

Ran these tests on a friend's 1-Player Xin-Mo. (Can't guarantee yours will get the same results so I'm listing the tests I ran in case you want to duplicate the results on your end.)

*5v on the Xin-Mo inputs (black lead on the USB connector body) -- check.

*Encoder ground at same voltage as USB ground -- check

*Encoder ground not isolated from USB ground (short input to USB connector body) -- double check (encoder even registers a button press when ground comes from a different USB cable)

Based on these results, the Xin-Mo should register a button press whenever ground is applied to an input.
-----------
On your setup:
(before connecting the coin mech to the Xin-Mo)
*Is 12v connected to the coin mech?

*Is the zener diode installed?

*Is there normally 5v on the coin signal wire that dips when you drop in a coin? (you may need to change the NO/NC setting to get this to work right)

(connect the coin mech to the Xin-Mo)
*Is the Xin-Mo input connected to the coin mech coin signal wire?

*Is the Xin-Mo ground connected to coin mech ground?




Scott

[InfantSorrow]

Quick q. Would there be any particular reason why my NC and NO are working in reverse when wired up to the xin mo?

When coin mech is on NO, windows joystick config reads the button as being pressed by default and a coin drop registers as a non press.
With NC its vice versa.
When on NO, the coin mech works fine and will be responsive for all coin drops. (Albeit, working in reverse order with a coin drop registering a non press)
But when I use NC (which works in the correct manner) after a while the coin mech seems to stop registering input

Have you seen this kinda thing before? Maybe I should reverse the wires from the coin mech to chairman mo?

When in doubt, go back to basics.

Ran these tests on a friend's 1-Player Xin-Mo. (Can't guarantee yours will get the same results so I'm listing the tests I ran in case you want to duplicate the results on your end.)

*5v on the Xin-Mo inputs (black lead on the USB connector body) -- check.

*Encoder ground at same voltage as USB ground -- check

*Encoder ground not isolated from USB ground (short input to USB connector body) -- double check (encoder even registers a button press when ground comes from a different USB cable)

Based on these results, the Xin-Mo should register a button press whenever ground is applied to an input.
-----------
On your setup:
(before connecting the coin mech to the Xin-Mo)
*Is 12v connected to the coin mech?

*Is the zener diode installed?

*Is there normally 5v on the coin signal wire that dips when you drop in a coin? (you may need to change the NO/NC setting to get this to work right)

(connect the coin mech to the Xin-Mo)
*Is the Xin-Mo input connected to the coin mech coin signal wire?

*Is the Xin-Mo ground connected to coin mech ground?

Scott

Ok Scotty will double check this when I get home.

On a related note... In electronics, what do you usually use to check the voltage of something that is quick pulsing?
It seems a DMM is not the best instrument to use to check for that.

Should I make a point to acquire an analog multimeter to add to my arsenal and aid my growing electronic prowess?

Yours faithfully,
Dr. Evil

[PL1]

An analog meter is always a good addition to your toolbox.

If you have access to an O'scope, that's an even better way to look at what's going on -- not worth investing in one for just this, though.   


Scott

[InfantSorrow]

An analog meter is always a good addition to your toolbox.

If you have access to an O'scope, that's an even better way to look at what's going on -- not worth investing in one for just this, though.   


Scott

Already picked up an analog multimeter on my way home from work. Picked it up for your equivalent of $6.
Also, the problem I mentioned earlier seems to have gone away by its own. Weird.
Didnt change anything.

Must be the chinaman screwing with me lol

[PL1]

The gremlins heard about my earlier post and fled. (again)   


Scott

[InfantSorrow]

The gremlins heard about my earlier post and fled. (again)   


Scott

This is why I cloned you, minime. lol

Just finished recompiling mame without nag screens and with directinput.
Man, that took 4 hours! Let me backup this compiled version!

[Tilloux]

Glad to hear it.   

Now for the testing and documentation.   

Are you getting chatter on the relay?

You should be able to drop 10 coins and get 10 credits -- test this using an old-school game that only does 1:1 coin/credit ratio.

Also, try putting the zener diode back in -- it should work as a snubber for this setup if you have any chatter.

Do you mind taking a few good pics (side view and front angle view with a contrasting/neutral backdrop) of your coin recognizer for the wiki?


Scott

Scotty

1 coin drop registers a credit

I will take pics of everything when Its done and not so crappy looking. Going to solder the relay to the wires from the coin mech and usb encoder.
Right now they are just crudely tied together. (Soldering is another thing I know nothing about, so bear with me lol)

Woodworking.. I am an old pro at that!

Hi InfantSorrow,

I have been reading this thread with great interest because I am struggling to get my coin mech working.
Can you sum up the connexion you did between the pc molex, the relay and the ZD encoder ?
Also can you confirm that the relay I am using is ok http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b508/Smeeters/20140702_083131_zpse4a8cc33.jpg

Thanks!

[a_netanel]

Sadly, the OP forgot his promise to post a thorough explanation of the final configuration...
As a total beginner in electronics, I could not understand from this thread what to actually do in order to get the ZD to detect the coin drop as a button press.

The problem is that the coin mech that I'm using (ch-268t) outputs an "Open Collector", and does not simply "closes" a circuit.
But, after some tinkering and reading this document I got it, so I'm here sharing for n00bs like myself

This is the wiring diagram that I've used:


I hope it is gonna be helpful for the next guy that attempts this

[Sushi-man]

Sadly, the OP forgot his promise to post a thorough explanation of the final configuration...
As a total beginner in electronics, I could not understand from this thread what to actually do in order to get the ZD to detect the coin drop as a button press.

The problem is that the coin mech that I'm using (ch-268t) outputs an "Open Collector", and does not simply "closes" a circuit.
But, after some tinkering and reading this document I got it, so I'm here sharing for n00bs like myself

This is the wiring diagram that I've used:


Hello.
I have the same problema but in my case, my coin mech is a comestero rm5 light selfprog and the problem is i dont know where is the NO pin, because all i have is a 10-pin cable going to the interior of my cabinet. Can tou help me on that ? Thank you.

I hope it is gonna be helpful for the next guy that attempts this