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Few more questions- putting PC in cab (monitor, power supply, etc)

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CheffoJeffo:

--- Quote from: johnnybleu on January 06, 2009, 07:56:05 pm ---Now, I'm very much interested in the mod you proposed- using the PC's power supply for the cab's AC needs (monitor and marquee light).

--- End quote ---

To be clear, your PC's power supply takes in 115V (I'm making an assumption as to your location) AC and converts it to DC (+5V and +12V). Your monitor is powered by 115V AC and cannot be powered by the DC coming out of your power supply.

EDIT: I wrote a bunch of stuff which I have now deleted, but I should ask a question that will help clarify the situation -- is the arcade power supply one where there are screw terminals where the wires are attached or does it have molex connectors that connect to the JAMMA harness and the monitor ? If the latter, then I can see how one might think that the monitor was being powered by the power supply, although it is just a switched pass-through of the AC.

johnnybleu:
Alright, to answer your question, the power supply is just a solid box with wires coming out with two molex connectors. One goes to the Jamma harness, and the other (obviously AC) splits into two paths- one for the marquee light, and the other through the isolation transformer and to the monitor.

All I'm looking for really is a way to get some AC current on the monitor/marquee circuit. Then I can just get rid of the original power supply.

So, you think you have a solution for me?  ;)

Thanks as always!

CheffoJeffo:
What I would do is pull the existing power supply and put in a distribution block.

Then, I would run a power cord from the distribution block to plug in to the wall (I use computer power cords and just cut the female end off). I would run wires for the marquee and monitor from the distribution block to the molex connectors for the marquee and monitor power. You may not have these connectors and you can just cut the connectors off and wire straight to the junction box or you can order connectors (I like connectors because then you can just drop the old power supply back in and have a working cab).

Finally, cut off the pronged end of a computer power cord and connect it to the distribution block. Plug the other end into your computer PS.

Or pull the power supply, patch outlet prongs onto the marquee and monitor power supply and use a power bar.

johnnybleu:
Ah, yes! Simple enough! Now, I assume all AC plugs adhere to a standard code for colors? i.e. Green=earth ground, white/blue=neutral, brown/black=hot?

Also, without a switch at any point in the line, the monitor would be on as soon as I plug it in, correct? Can I put a switch after the distribution block, or does it have to be before (as per the diagram you showed me)? I assume I'd need a strong switch to handle all the juice, right? Sorry if these questions sound dumb- I just have too much respect for electricity.  ;)

The reason I want two switches is because I have to power up the monitor after windows has booted up (to avoid wrecking it with high-frequency signals), so I need to be able to turn on the PC and monitor separately.

CheffoJeffo:
I haven't come across on that didn't, but I test with a multimeter anyway.

Yes, you can put a switch in downline for the monitor.

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