Hey guys,

I live in the Ottawa region and am looking for a volunteer who has time on his/her hands, who does good work and wants to make a few $$$ on the side.

Here’s my quandary.  I bought a mame cab a little while ago. It’s a ¾ size cab, I believe it used to be a video poker machine but was converted to a 2-player 6 button mame setup.  It’s worked pretty good though there seems to be short somewhere that’s causing a keyboard error (need to press F1 at bootup to bypass the error). I’m guessing it’s a problem with the ground.

I was originally thinking of buying an older full sized unloved cab off someone but I find I just do not have the time for to refit such a cab (plus, I’d rather any existing cab be used to refit a real arcade cab, not a mame knock off).  So I’ve decided to stick with what I have, it’s more fitting the present limiting space of my basement setup anyway.

So here’s my problem.

I've included a pic of my cab, a pic of the control panel and a pick of the wiring .


Aside from fixing the short, I also want to:

- Replace the existing 14” CRT with a flat screen 19” LCD.  I know it’s not the best for the true arcade feel, but I wouldn’t even be able to fit a 15” CRT, so the 19” LCD is a tradeoff I’m willing to live with .

- Add a Happ 3” USB/PS2 translucent trackball (bought it, received it!)
- Add a tornado slikstik spinner (bought it, received it!)
- Add a couple of buttons on both sides of the CP for that visual pinball effect (bought lots of buttons!), maybe add one button at the front of the cab to simulate a plunger.
- Replace both joysticks with Happ Super Joysticks (they allow 4 way play by flipping a doo-dad underneath, a couple of minutes is all it takes I hear) – bought ‘em too!
- MAYBE add a keyboard tray under the CP (not a must, I’ve setup a wireless keyboard as is, but it would be convenient)
- Figure out a way to attach the CP in a manner that it can be easily removed so I can easily move the arcade cab around
- unrelated to CP, but right now, it’s a one speaker setup.  I’d like to somehow add a 2 speaker system though it might be hard and weird to remove the existing 1 speaker.  I may try just adding to smaller speakers on either sides and pretend the one speaker grill is there for a massive high quality trans-dimensional mono speaker.  Might impress the guests…

My current setup includes an Ipac2, thus I don’t think I would need a bazillion more buttons for pausing, etc, as the board has the ability to “shift” every button to another keycode.
Obviously, because of the size of my cab, a new CP is required, there’s just no room to fit anything.  As well, it would be good to provide a bit more room between joysticks/buttons.

I've included a pic of my present mental state related to this project and I used my new fangled time camera to peek into the future so the second pic shows my state of being after trying to figure all this out.   Blech!

So that’s where I’m at.  I don’t supposed there’s someone out there with the tools/know-how and time to spare in giving me a hand with this impossible project?  I’m not technically inclined with working with tools AT ALL!, so I’m at my wits end here.  As stated at the beginning, I’d be willing to pay some cash as well as pay for any parts I haven’t thought of, any materials, etc.  I would obviously need help with the design as well.  I’m no fool, I know I probably can’t provide enough cash to cover the actual work that needs to be done.   Ie: your time like my time is worth a lot, I know.

Other improvements:
The original monitor was placed at something like a 10% slope, which meant I almost had to put my head inside the cab to see it properly (not really necessary, but you get my point).  The proposed CP could expand pass the sides to allow me to have the proper room between everything.  As well, to ensure someone standing to the sides can’t see the screen, I was considering moving the monitor angle to closer to vertical so that two could play and see the screen without issue in angle, even playing off two bar stools for better comfort for those long play sessions.  This could also facilitate having a deeper control panel as the players wouldn’t have to be so close to the cab and in effect also allow more room on the CP itself for everything.

Anyway, that’s about it.  For the last year, I’ve thought about this over and over and with the little available time, my knowledge of this stuff (very minimal) etc, I think I’d rather ask if anyone is up to the challenge, as I bow to what some of you have been able to do.  I can’t express enough how much I would appreciate it.  I’m also open to suggestions that would improve the CP/cab.

Thanks.  I hope the humor of the last two pics came across well; I'm not trying to post anything inappropriate.

Loafer / Rob

p.s  I'm assuming this is the right area to post this.  If it is not, or if there's anything inappropriate relevant to this type of request PLEASE let me know.

Finally, here's a couple of examples of what might work for me.  Pics originated from links at arcadecontrols.com.  Both aren't perfect, but they do a good job of showing the benefits of a deeper CP and one that surpasses the width limitation of the cab itself.  I would think a combination of the two.  BTW, the width of my cab is a tad less than 20", so it's quite narrow.  I have two existing coin inserts (that work with the Ipac2!) but I'm very concerned they will need to be removed. As the pics show, they are top loading and any replacement CP may make it quite difficult to keep them and not have them in the way.  I don't know, something to think about, I'd love to keep them and right now, I can't afford to pay for new coin mechs that would be located at the proper front of the machine.

Eagerly awaiting your comments.

Rob

To quote Mighty Mouse:

HERE I COME TO SAVE THE DAYYYYYYYYYYY!

PM sent... This will be a rush project if I do it... Oh well, looks like Missile Command and my own MAME are now on hold!!

PM sent Sparky, here's hoping we can work something out.  All I can say is, help is certainly appreciated.

Well, looks like I am picking it up Sunday (if Loafer agrees). This one will be a tight project, resource and time-wise, but I love a challenge.

...Besides, I spent 2 days cleaning and organizing my shop and making an inventory of the parts I have... This gives me a nice excuse to mess it up again!    On top of that, the cockpit MAME project fell through... the guy that wants it has a small curved staircase that leads to his basement gameroom in which I would have trouble passing a simple upright.

"I don't think so, Tim."

So Loafer's project is next!!! I will proudly post pics of the progress.

Confirmed for Sunday pick-up!!!


Hmm... somehow I have a weird feeling that this cab will not look quite the same soon... Wait until I Sparkerize it ...

What can I say except a bazillion thanks Sparky!  Extremely appreciated and looking forward to seeing some of your "in progress" pics.  I never thought I'd be so thankful for a "curved staircase"!!!

p.s.  btw, access to the cab is nice and straight.  In through the garage, down STRAIGHT stairs that are very wide and voila, she can be seen from the doorway of the dungeon.

Hey folks, just to let you all know Sparky took the cab off my hands so he can sparkerize it.  I have to tell you, a few minutes with Sparky was helpful to the cab, he was able to solve my short issue with the ipac 2, so that's already a freakin' plus right there!

Looking forward to getting her back but it's very cool to know she's in great hands.

eheh I've got a weird sense of humour. I'm considering ordering a nice new marquee to replace the existing plain version and I'm trying to think of something original.  Since I love playing with acronyms, what do you think of:  "Loaf's Arcade Machine Emulator" with a big "L.A.M.E." near the center of the Marquee.  A goofy/silly play on the Mame name but I don't know, it has a nice ring to it...  I think I'm tired, time to go to bed .

Actually, if anyone comes up with a good idea for a Marquee, I'd appreciate hearing it.

Quoted from The Loafer

Actually, if anyone comes up with a good idea for a Marquee, I'd appreciate hearing it.

How about "Loaf's Arcade Machine Emulator - Assembled Superbly by Sparky" with a big "L.A.M.E. - A.S.S." near the center of the Marquee.  hehe  

Mike

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!