The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: ChoiceStriker on July 04, 2008, 08:59:40 am
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Hey guys! I finished my DK Jr.-inspired cabinet recently (seriously, I'll start a thread on that one some day), and am already on to my next project. I love the way the DK turned out, but it's a single-player machine and I always wanted to do another one for two players.
The friend I bought my DK from was selling a Midway cabinet that contained Gauntlet: Dark Legacy at the time, so I checked it out. The cabinet was in good, solid shape, a similar size and form factor to the Golden Tee but in better condition, with a big, good-looking monitor free of burn-in. I bought it at a very good price, and got it home (minus game board and marquee) a few days later. I found stickers on the back that said "Midway Universal Cabinet 40135." So I'm guessing it was just a generic cabinet that any number of games could be stuck into? Good for me, because now I feel no shame MAMEing it. If anyone knows anything else about these cabinets, though, I'd love to hear it.
(http://ericeickhorst.com/arcade/AC2/front.jpg)
Interesting beveled shape on the front. The right front side has a detachable access panel that clamps on from the inside.
(http://ericeickhorst.com/arcade/AC2/side.jpg)
Gotta love those graphics on the side. ;)
Anyway, the next step is to start collecting parts for the control panel, etc... and here's where I need some help, because this will be very different from my previous machine that used a PC monitor. Here's the controls I want to put on the machine - I'm going to keep this simple:
2 Happ Supers - I just like the feel of these and don't need P360's or anything.
7 player buttons for each side
P1/P2 buttons and a few other service buttons
Trackball.
That's it. Note that there's no dedicated 4-way joystick - that's on the DK machine. Also, I don't think I'll need a spinner (unless someone convinces me I'm really missing something by not including one).
But what I need more help with is how to wire things up. I didn't put a trackball on my first machine, so I don't know what kind of encoder or other parts I need. Is there something from Ultimarc that handles both the traditional controls and the trackball? I don't need both an Optipac and an Ipac, do I? Also, what is the J-Pac traditionally used for? I checked saint's book but didn't find exactly the information I needed.
To connect a PC to the arcade monitor, do I need the ArcadeVGA? And finally, is there a good guide to wiring this all up (including the speakers, marquee light, etc)? I did find the Bob Roberts link (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/acwiring.html (http://www.therealbobroberts.net/acwiring.html) but wonder if there are any other resources to consult. This project will obviously be more involved than my last, with more to consider.
(http://ericeickhorst.com/arcade/AC2/monitor-back.jpg)
I think this is a 27" WG U5000. http://www.jomac.net.au/WG-U5000.JPG (http://www.jomac.net.au/WG-U5000.JPG)
(http://ericeickhorst.com/arcade/AC2/monitor-side.jpg)
Here's a pic of the side of the monitor.
(http://ericeickhorst.com/arcade/AC2/innards.jpg)
And finally, a shot of what it's got inside. There is a JAMMA harness in there somewhere. Everything looks to be in good condition. :)
If anyone wants to see bigger pics of anything, please let me know. Thanks for your help!
Eric
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the front makes me think MK1 or Smash TV, that cab is the pre coursor to the MKII style midway cab
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Good call on the Smash TV cab. I didn't think of that but you're right, the front side does look a lot like Smash TV.
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So, um, can anyone offer any advice on what parts I need? I really would like to hear from some people before I go and order the wrong thing.
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heres the quick and dirty...
JPAC is for plugging a computer into an existing JAMMA set up. Arcade VGA is a video card that outputs at 15Hz (arcade rate) and hooks up to an arcade monitor, and Soft15 out puts to arcade resolutions through your existing video card. All basically do the same thing, so you need 1 of those not all of those.
IPAC... wouldnt be needed if you used the jpac and didnt exceed the jamma standard in buttons.
I think an IPAC2 and soft 15 is all you need. the major problem with this thread is youre asking questions in a project anouncements thread instead of the main or misc help forum :)
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Thanks Malenko! I have to admit I'm still confused about exactly what hardware I need, so I think I'll start a thread in the main forum and see if I can't get a little more information. I haven't made any progress on the cabinet because I'm just waiting to order parts, but of course to do that I need to know exactly what to buy.... ;)
Thanks again!