The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ltek on May 23, 2023, 09:52:21 pm
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A-PAC has built-in connections for many more buttons than the 'stock' KL25Z with connection board (like from Cleveland)
U-HID controls LEDs ... I use basic LED buttons (Zero Delay encoder runs them now) but will not add flashy lights, etc. Maybe add (prob not) a shaker motor. I have Solenoids but dont like them - they dont sound realistic and I've tried several mounting methods (which changes the tone a lot)... I think the SSF sounds far more real.
I want to put on a pinball plunger with 10k 100mm potentiometer. Not doing Tilt bob, real coin chutes, or real nudge / accelerometer.
Also...
*Launch/Close apps using button holds/press
Right now I use Joy2Key to map some button sequences to open/close windows apps
Example... ''Select" button hold for 3 seconds (mapped to ATL key) + "Play" button opens app (PinUp Popper frontend).
*LED Control
I want to be able to turn on/off each LED (inside the buttons) separately or all at once
... all at once at least for when not playing a game, but the system is on (for whatever reason like maintenance)
... individually when a specific app is open but does not use those buttons, they go dark.
... not sure if I can do that with wither Pinscape or Ultimarc?
thx!
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considering getting an Ultimarc I-PAC Ultimate but I dont see anything stating it can take analog inputs... I want to put on a pinball plunger with 10k 100mm potentiometer.
The Ult. I/O has microswitch and optical (spinner/trackball) inputs, but doesn't have any analog inputs.
You'll need an analog encoder (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/Analog_Encoders) for your plunger potentiometer.
You can use an A-Pac, a U-HID, or roll your own using an Arduino -- a 32u4 board like the Pro Micro would be a good choice -- with a suitable gamepad firmware.
Before choosing which analog encoder to use, you may want to work through the "What type of build meets my needs? (http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/FAQ#What_type_of_build_meets_my_needs.3F)" entry in the FAQ. ;D
Depending on your desired setup, you can use an Ult. I/O for most of your controls and an analog encoder for the plunger.
Scott
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Are you putting an analog pinball plunger on a standup arcade or a dedicated pinball cabinet?
Either way I guess, I'd look into the Pinscape setup using a KL25Z board. http://mjrnet.org/pinscape/index.html
You'll get inputs for flipper buttons, analog plunger, and even an onboard accelerometer for nudging support. (and there are a ton of addons if you want to truly go down the VPin rabbit hole). I use the basic board in my pinball cabinet. Used a real pinball plunger (Williams style I think) and 3d printed a frame I found on thingiverse to mount the linear potentiometer.
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Yes, this is Pinball Cabinet (2k playfield + 1080p backbox) and plays vertical MAME arcade (works now and love it!). I'm running it now on a cheap USB Zero Delay Encoder but want more buttons.
A-PAC has built-in connections for many more buttons than the 'stock' KL25Z with connection board (like from Cleveland)
U-HID controsl LEDs ... I use basic LED buttons (Zero Delay encoder runs them now) but will not add flashy lights, etc. Maybe add (prob not) a shaker motor. I have Solenoids but dont like them - they dont sound realistic and I've tried several mounting methods (which changes the tone a lot)... I think the SSF sounds far more real.
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So.. I've got:
Plunger
Ball Launch (for those tables that don't support a plunger)
Flippers
Magna-Save
Start
Exit
Extra Ball
Tilt (real title bob)
Coin in (real coin chutes too)
Service buttons (four of them on the coin door)
Coin Door Open
And shift-button support, just like an Ipac. All running off a single KL25z board.
It sounds like you've got a hybrid cabinet - meaning there is a joystick and regular arcade buttons) You can keep the zero-delay encoder hooked up for the arcade controls (joystick + buttons) if you want alongside the KL25z. They're just USB input devices. You can have multiples.
If you want to go down the A-Pac route, don't let me stop you. Do they have accelerometers at this point for nudge support? I thought only the IPAC ultimate had that.
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mostly yes... not doing Tilt bob, real coin chutes, or real nudge / accelerometer.
Also...
*Launch/Close apps using button holds/press
Right now I use Joy2Key to map some button sequences to open/close windows apps
Example... ''Select" button hold for 3 seconds (mapped to ATL key) + "Play" button opens app (PinUp Popper frontend).
*LED Control
I want to be able to turn on/off each LED (inside the buttons) separately or all at once
... all at once at least for when not playing a game, but the system is on (for whatever reason like maintenance)
... individually when a specific app is open but does not use those buttons, they go dark.
... not sure if I can do that with wither Pinscape or Ultimarc?
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I don't know about the LED on/off stuff. On my standup arcades, I use LEDBlinky w/ the Ultimarc iPAC Ultimate board to control RBG LED buttons.
The button lights in my PinCab are static - they just turn on/off with the PC power supply. They run off the +5 vdc line. I may switch them to controlled LEDs at some point.
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@Fursphere what KL25Z add-on/connector board(s) are you using? KL25Z itself is only $60 I dont want to solder stuff (I can but dont want to). Boards from places like Arnoz or Cleveland Software get expensive fast... the KL/Pinscape board + service buttons are $150 and then you still need to buy buttons, make wires, etc. The A-PAC (wiring but no soldering) is $40 and U-HID (with wiring harness) is $80.
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No add on boards. Just a stock KL25z.
I bought Dupont headers off Amazon and just wired everything up.
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I cannot even imagine an arcade project without soldering... It's like pretending to fix a car without wrenches :)