Doc's Modular Updated!

[Doc-]

I made some updates to my modular MAME recently:

   http://www.beersmith.com/mame/

  - Added a true "Pole Position" 360 degree steering panel
  - Added a set of P360 joysticks (sweet!)
  - Created a "Stargate/Defender" button panel and matching 2 way joystick
  - Found a nice set of digital driving pedals

 With the two dozen or so modular panels plus pinball buttons and dual lightguns, I think the system is nearing completion.  If anyone has a second Pole Position steering wheel - that might make a nice addition though!

Cheers!
Doc-

[Silver]

Looking really nice! Is there anything you can't play??!??

The second 360 wheel - used much beyond super sprint?

[versapak]

The second 360 wheel - used much beyond super sprint?"

Offroad is another great one that would use it.


Maybe not a whole lot more, but those 2 games alone, would justify having the ability for me.

[GGKoul]

Can you show how you connected the Pole Position wheel?

[Doc-]

The wiring was a normal USB mouse hack (just search for mouse hack on the forum - it is easy).

The pinout from the Atari optical board was:

   +x  GND +5  -x

when you look at the board as it is in the view (wheel down), with the pins facing towards you.

Here's a photo - nothing too elegant, but easy to switch the connections if anything is reversed.

[GGKoul]

The wiring was a normal USB mouse hack (just search for mouse hack on the forum - it is easy).

The pinout from the Atari optical board was:

[Chris]

I made some updates to my modular MAME recently:

[Doc-]

Looking really nice! Is there anything you can't play??!??

I don't have an Ikari warriors joystick so I can't play that well.  Also I don't have double trackballs, double spinners, or double steering wheels so there are a few of those games I can't play in two player.  Everything else is fair game!

In that position, doesn't the wheel feel like driving a bus?

The panel is tilted forward and set reasonably low, so no it does not feel like a bus.  In fact it is quite responsive and there is good clearance all the way around (hard to see in the photo), especially if you play it standing up.

There is no reason why I could not build a riser.  I had intended one facing forward and hanging slightly over the front control panel (which would have worked fine), but went with the simpler panel.

Space was also a major concern.  I had an eye towards adding a second wheel eventually, but a riser platform would probably have needed to be an 8" or even 12" panel to provide space for the supporting wood.  The direct approach I use fits nicely into a 6" panel, which allows me to fit two with room to spare on my 24" cabinet (i.e I still have space for shifter or buttons in the middle).

Cheers!
Doc-

[Minwah]

Looks good Doc

Here's is a pic of my Pole Pos wheel panel...just for reference on the angled box I made.  I can't measure it right now but the whole panel is 60cm wide, so the box is ~20cm wide - you couldn't go much smaller than this, maybe 1-2 cm.

Edit: btw the wheel itself is a Super Sprint (smaller than PolePos wheel), but the rest is original PolePos.

[Doc-]

Minwah,

  What did you use to make the riser box?  I was going to make one of wood, but yours appears to be metal.  I like the size/shape of yours - it would probably work well with my system.

  (MAMEWAH rocks by the way - I use it for everything!)

Cheers!

Doc-

 

[GGKoul]

Looks good Doc

Here's is a pic of my Pole Pos wheel panel...just for reference on the angled box I made.

[Minwah]

  What did you use to make the riser box?  I was going to make one of wood, but yours appears to be metal.  I like the size/shape of yours - it would probably work well with my system.

Actually it is 3/4" MDF.  It's simply 4 parts: front, back & sides.  I can give you measurements & take some pics if you'd like...

Did you interface the wheel like Doc did?  If not, how did you wiring it up?

Yes basically the same, I used an Oscar mouse hack.

Also, how do you shift Hi/Lo?  Is it just 1st & 2nd Gear?

Usually yes.  Some games which have the (almost always arcade-inaccurate) toggle style shift is slightly different...when you shift it toggles, so if it is in 2nd to begin with, shifting to first will toggle to hi/lo.  I find it hard to explain...  I have it setup so 3rd & 4th act as hi/lo, as well as 1st & 2nd.

[Doc-]

Actually it is 3/4" MDF.  It's simply 4 parts: front, back & sides.  I can give you measurements & take some pics if you'd like...

That would be great!  Perhaps I will redo the panel if I add a second wheel later.

Doc-

[Minwah]

That would be great!  Perhaps I will redo the panel if I add a second wheel later.

I'll do a better version of my hand-drawn plans, scan them in & send them to ya...I want an electronic copy for myself anyway.  I'll take some pics when I take the panel apart to add the CPO (ordered)...

[Doc-]

Picked up a second Pole Position wheel for < $20 the other day, so now I have some motivation to make matching panels for dual driving games.

Send the plans/picts when you can - hopefully I can still fit it all in a small 6" panel.

Cheers!
Doc-

[Minwah]

Send the plans/picts when you can - hopefully I can still fit it all in a small 6" panel.

I can tell you that my box would not fit on a 6" panel (it is 20.6cm (~8 1/4" wide).  I reckon you could reduce this by 1 cm or maybe more.  Also I used the side panels either side of the front main panel (see the t-molding in my pic).  If you had the front panel resting on the sides you could lose another 3.6cm (18mm MDF x 2).  That would take you down to ~6.4" - I bet you could probably get rid of that .4" too, at a push!