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modular controls... sort of
shadowdrak:
I had an idea I was thinking about integrating into my (endlessly ;D)upcoming cab. I was gonna build a 2 player panel for my main use panel; But I was thinking for 4 player games I could make small panels to attach to the sides. I was thinking the small controls could be just a stick and four buttons, and it would attach to the side with dowels and a usb socket. Has anyone done something like this before? I figured it might be a little bit more attractive than the usual modular controls. A cheap keyboard hack should be sufficient right? Do you think that mounting it as described would be sufficiently sturdy(I was thinking 2-4 of em maybe)? Feel free to be brutal with this idea. I would rather be bashed than tack something ---smurfy--- onto my cab.
AmericanDemon:
You'd do best to have it interfaced w/ molex connectors. This is similar in principle to my forthcoming design. The reason I say use molex is because:
1) If you use a keyboard hack for each player 3 and 4. Then you are looking at getting 3 keyboards to work on 1 system.
2) USB can be finicky. You never know which one will end up being player 3 or 4. This is of course different if you do sidewinder hacks and chain those two together. However for that to work I believe those go through a joystick port.
If you use an IPac4 and wire everything to molex connectors then it will be as simple as plugging it it and attaching and you are ready to rock.
telengard:
--- Quote from: AmericanDemon on October 30, 2004, 04:29:28 pm ---You'd do best to have it interfaced w/ molex connectors. This is similar in principle to my forthcoming design. The reason I say use molex is because:
1) If you use a keyboard hack for each player 3 and 4. Then you are looking at getting 3 keyboards to work on 1 system.
2) USB can be finicky. You never know which one will end up being player 3 or 4. This is of course different if you do sidewinder hacks and chain those two together. However for that to work I believe those go through a joystick port.
If you use an IPac4 and wire everything to molex connectors then it will be as simple as plugging it it and attaching and you are ready to rock.
--- End quote ---
I used to have all of my modular panels connect w/ molex. They do work well but the problem is you need 3 hands when swapping modules. 1 to hold the module and one hand each to pull on both molex connectors. I switched to using std ethernet jacks and it is much easier IMO.
~telengard
AmericanDemon:
My only concern is for the lack of size in CAT5 wiring. Also you only have 8 wires. He would need two use at least two fittings for each side. However, you are correct in your thoughts on the difficulty of connecting molex at times.
Darkstalker:
--- Quote from: AmericanDemon on October 30, 2004, 07:49:41 pm ---My only concern is for the lack of size in CAT5 wiring. Also you only have 8 wires. He would need two use at least two fittings for each side. However, you are correct in your thoughts on the difficulty of connecting molex at times.
--- End quote ---
4 directions, three buttons and a ground. You don't need much else for P3 and P4 if you put the start buttons on the cabinet.
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