multiple trackballs and analog+

[John]

I am curious if anyone has built a 4 players, 6 buttons per players and 2 trackballs and 2 spinners CP.  I am hoping to put one together using IPAC, JPAC, and Opti-PAC.  

I've purchased two 3" trackballs from Happ that will go on com1 and com2 of the opti-pac, and I figure I can stick Oscar's spinner to com1 and com2 as well.  The problem is I read on analog+ that it only works with USB for multiple mouse.

so i guess the solution is to buy the happ usb interface boards (2) and connect the trackballs with usb, and put both spinners on com1 (x and y axis).  

Does it sound right?  

thanks

[Howard_Casto]

Yes, people have made 4 players, 6 buttons per player, but with all due respect those people aren't too bright.  Therer are ONLY two, 4-player arcade games that support more than 3 buttons, and those are the the dungeons and dragons games, which are 4 buttons per player.  So the maximum players 3 and 4 would need are 4 and 3 if you don't like those two games.  Even the multi player console games rarely use more than 4 buttons per player.

[John]

Very True Howard.. thanks for the thought.

maybe i'll just make 6 buttons for players 2 and 3 (ones in the middle) and 4 buttons for players 1 and 4) that should free up some space for the multiple trackballs and spinners..

[slug54]

If I were you I would also consider setting up your players
3,1,2,4  so player 1 and 2 will be lined up with the monitor
better, this is assuming that you will be playing 1 and 2 player games more often than 3 or 4 player. but then again maybe you are wanting the maximum amount of space between players 1 and 2.
                          Just a thought
                               Slug54

                           

[John]

Great idea slug!  I started cutting the MDF boards to make the top and bottom (need to make another trip to home depot since I ran out)  I'll snap some shots tomorrow and post it.  I really appreicate the suggestions.  Any thoughts on fitting 2 trackballs and 2 spinners with it?  

I cut out the templates and boy is it hard to find a way to get them all fit (and usable)

[Bursar]

I have a couple of pics of my CP in this thread: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=10;action=display;threadid=2229

It's just the top shape with paper templates on it (waiting for my sticks and buttons from Happ), but the 4players and extra buttons all fit nicely.

I too have players 1 and 2 in the middle. Players 3 and 4 will probably be cut down to 4 buttons just to make that little bit more space.

I gave up with spinners and trackballs as the only way I could get them in would be to make the CP significantly larger. If I need them in the future, I'll make a another CP and just swap them over.

For reference, the panel is 43" x 16".

[Minwah]

For spinners, how about mounting them on the FRONT of the control panel / cabinet??

[John]

Thanks for all the feedback..

Here are some pics of my newly built CP (I still have some sanding to do on the edges but overall I'm pretty happy with it.)  now for button placement!

Just to give you an idea the old panel (black beat up one) was a Vandetta/TMNT 4 player panel



and here's a pic of the new panel with the templates on it.  The whole CP is about 4 ft long.  the red nobs are where I think the spinners would go.  I think I'll put the coin buttons on the front area.

Notice the player 1 and 2 with 6 buttons and 3 and 4 with 4 a piece.