BYOAC OLD Wiki - User contributions [en]

Power Options

2012-07-23T18:16:40Z

Spystyle: /* External Links */

{{WorkInProgress}}
__notoc__
In building your cabinet, you might forget that a PC is running at the heart of it and you don't want to be opening it up each time to turn it on. Also, you may want your cabinets' components (PC, monitor, speakers, marquee light etc.) to power on and off simultaneously with each other, to add to the illusion of a real arcade machine. Depending on what operating system you are using, simply unplugging the PC may cause problems if the operating system is not given time to properly power down.

There are several options to consider...

=='Smart' Power Strips==
[[Image:Smart_Strip_LCG4.jpg|right|thumb|Bits Ltd. Smartrip power strip]]
A popular approach is to use a Smartstrip or similar 'smart switching' power strip. Smartstrips can provide constant power to some components just like a normal power strip, but their most attractive feature is their automatic switching ability.

One component (typically your PC) is plugged into the blue 'Control' outlet. Other cabinet components are plugged into the switched outlets; these components will remain unpowered until your PC (or whatever is plugged into the blue Control outlet) is switched on. This means that all components will power on when your PC is switched on, and more importantly once your PC completes its shutdown procedure the other components will automatically power off. Using your PC's power switch to turn on and off all components of your cabinet in this way is probably the most popular option for PCs running modern operating systems.

Alternatives to the Bits Ltd. Smartstrip include the Mini Power Minder and the PowerMite DD (sold by BYOAC member Whammoed).
===Build Your Own 'Smart' Power Strip===
A simple relay can be added to most regular power strips to add 'smart' functionality to them, using a USB cable or hard-drive power cable from your PC to trigger the relay. When a voltage is detected from the PC, the relay supplies power to the outlets (see the external links below for more details). Considering the effort required it may be wiser to go for a retail option, but if you're on a tight budget and know what you're doing then a hack like this may be the way to go.

==Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS's)==
[[Image:UPS.jpg|right|thumb|Typical small UPS]]
Generally regarded as the safest way of doing things, though not necessarily the cheapest, is to use a small Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in your cabinet. UPS's are intended to provide temporary battery backup power if there's a drop-out, as well as protect against power spikes.

Many models include a serial or USB functionality that can safely initiate your computer's shutdown procedure once power has been cut to the cabinet; the computer will run on the UPS's battery power until it has shut down. When used in an arcade cabinet this means that you can just pull the plug on the whole cabinet and the computer will then safely shut down.

==Standard Power Strips==
Another approach is to use a regular power strip and, again, hacking an extended-wire intermittent switch to where the strip's switch is, and mounting that somewhere on the cabinet. Then, in the computer's bios settings, 'power on after interrupt' or something of that nature is selected. When power is restored, by turning the strip on, the computer senses this and turns on.

This solution is recommended for DOS based PCs that don't require a shutdown procedure such as Windows based PCs. The computers hard drive can also be damaged if the computer is writing information to its hard drive when power is cut.

==The Power Switch==
Once you've determined the best power solution for your situation, the final step is to mount an on/off switch to an accessible position on your cabinet.

If your cabinets' power is controlled by your computer (as in the Smartstrip solution), you can wire an extended switch from your computer case's power button and mount it somewhere on the surface of the cabinet. The computer could also positioned so that its power switch is accessible through a hole in the side of your cabinet.

==The "Cap Trick"==

There is a way to turn on an ATX motherboard using a small electrolytic capacitor. Known as [http://www.pealefamily.net/tech/newmame/captrick/ The Cap Trick], it relies on the state of an electrolytic capacitor having a shorted state when there is no charge running through it. When you apply a charge, the capacitor has an 'open' state. It's important to use a capacitor with a very small capacitance, so it will open quickly, mimicking a press of the power button.

==External Links==
* [http://home.bendcable.com/werstlein How to Power Your MAME Cabinet]
* [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=20939.0 CrashWGs "BYO Auto-Switching Power Strip" forum thread]

Another option is to hack your own power strip using a relay, explained here :
http://tinyurl.com/c5drk2z

==See Also==
* [[Building]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Building]]

Power Options

2007-05-25T01:58:42Z

Spystyle: /* External Links */

{{WorkInProgress}}
__notoc__
In building your cabinet, you might forget that a PC is running at the heart of it and you don't want to be opening it up each time to turn it on. Also, you may want your cabinets' components (PC, monitor, speakers, marquee light etc.) to power on and off simultaneously with each other, to add to the illusion of a real arcade machine. Depending on what operating system you are using, simply unplugging the PC may cause problems if the operating system is not given time to properly power down.

There are several options to consider...

=='Smart' Power Strips==
[[Image:Smart_Strip_LCG4.jpg|right|thumb|Bits Ltd. Smartrip power strip]]
A popular approach is to use a Smartstrip or similar 'smart switching' power strip. Smartstrips can provide constant power to some components just like a normal power strip, but their most attractive feature is their automatic switching ability.

One component (typically your PC) is plugged into the blue 'Control' outlet. Other cabinet components are plugged into the switched outlets; these components will remain unpowered until your PC (or whatever is plugged into the blue Control outlet) is switched on. This means that all components will power on when your PC is switched on, and more importantly once your PC completes its shutdown procedure the other components will automatically power off. Using your PC's power switch to turn on and off all components of your cabinet in this way is probably the most popular option for PCs running modern operating systems.

Alternatives to the Bits Ltd. Smartstrip include the Mini Power Minder and the PowerMite DD (sold by BYOAC member Whammoed).
===Build Your Own 'Smart' Power Strip===
A simple relay can be added to most regular power strips to add 'smart' functionality to them, using a USB cable or hard-drive power cable from your PC to trigger the realy. When a voltage is detected from the PC, the relay supplies power to the outlets (see the external links below for more details). Considering the effort required it may be wiser to go for a retail option, but if you're on a tight budget and know what you're doing then a hack like this may be the way to go.

==Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS's)==
[[Image:UPS.jpg|right|thumb|Typical small UPS]]
Generally regarded as the safest way of doing things, though not necessarily the cheapest, is to use a small Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in your cabinet. UPS's are intended to provide temporary battery backup power if there's a drop-out, as well as protect against power spikes.

Many models include a serial or USB functionality that can safely initiate your computer's shutdown procedure once power has been cut to the cabinet; the computer will run on the UPS's battery power until it has shut down. When used in an arcade cabinet this means that you can just pull the plug on the whole cabinet and the computer will then safely shut down.

==Standard Power Strips==
Another approach is to use a regular power strip and, again, hacking an extended-wire intermittent switch to where the strip's switch is, and mounting that somewhere on the cabinet. Then, in the computer's bios settings, 'power on after interrupt' or something of that nature is selected. When power is restored, by turning the strip on, the computer senses this and turns on.

This solution is recommended for DOS based PCs that don't require a shutdown procedure such as Windows based PCs. The computers hard drive can also be damaged if the computer is writing information to its hard drive when power is cut.

==The Power Switch==
Once you've determined the best power solution for your situation, the final step is to mount an on/off switch to an accessible position on your cabinet.

If your cabinets' power is controlled by your computer (as in the Smartstrip solution), you can wire an extended switch from your computer case's power button and mount it somewhere on the surface of the cabinet. The computer could also positioned so that its power switch is accessible through a hole in the side of your cabinet.

==The "Cap Trick"==

There is a way to turn on an ATX motherboard using a small electrolytic capacitor. Known as [http://www.pealefamily.net/tech/newmame/captrick/ The Cap Trick], it relies on the state of an electrolytic capacitor having a shorted state when there is no charge running through it. When you apply a charge, the capacitor has an 'open' state. It's important to use a capacitor with a very small capacitance, so it will open quickly, mimicking a press of the power button.

==External Links==
* [http://home.bendcable.com/werstlein How to Power Your MAME Cabinet]
* [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=20939.0 CrashWGs "BYO Auto-Switching Power Strip" forum thread]

==See Also==
* [[Building]]

[[Category:Index]]
[[Category:Building]]

Basic Guide to Building a Cabinet

2007-05-25T01:57:48Z

Spystyle: /* External Links */

__NOTOC__So you want to build yourself a cabinet? Here is a basic guide to get you on the road. Some things mentioned might be daunting at first, but take a look at the things mentioned on this page and it might notify you on something you otherwise had overlooked.
If you have questions, never be afraid to ask in the Build Your Own Arcade Controls [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/ forums].

==Things to consider first==
You don't want to rush out and just buy yourself a few pieces of [[Wood_products|wood]], fire up your [[Power Tools|power tools]] and start cutting! First things first:
* '''What kind of cabinet do you want?'''
:Cabinets come in all shapes and sizes (see ''[[Arcade Cabinet]]''). A [[Cabinet Plans|list of sample plans]] is available via this wiki. There are also [[Vendors]] who sell full cabinet kits.
:If you want to design your own cabinet, take a look [http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_cabinet_plans.shtml#dimensions here]. Some things to keep in mind when figuring out your dimensions are:
::#How tall you are. You don't want to end up with a control panel you can't reach conmortably or look at a screen that is too low for your comfort.
::#The size of the monitor. If you want to put in a 36" screen, make sure it fits.
::#The size of your control panel. If you want to have a gazillion controls on it, but you made it only 10" wide you are probably going to run out of space.
:Instead of building your own cabinet, you may also choose to restore or convert an existing cabinet. See also [[notes on converting a cabinet]].
:Whatever you decide, one very important thing to consider before ANYTHING is done, is ''how wide are your doorways?'' If you can't get it to the location you have planned, all your work will be for naught!

*'''What do I use to run the software?'''
:Do you plan to use a PC and run [[Emulators]]? If so, does the PC fit in the cabinet you designed? Do you plan to wire a [[JAMMA]] board? Are you planning on using console games?

*'''What controls are you going to want on your cabinet?'''
:What kind of games do you want to play? Take note of what controls those games use. How many players? The [[control panel]] needs more space if you want a 4 player cabinet. Generally, if you want to play fighter games, you will need 6 buttons per player. If you want a 4 player cabinet, keep in mind that there aren't any non-console games that support more than 4 buttons for player 3 and 4. Take a look at the [[Controls]] section for more info on [[joysticks]], [[trackballs]], [[spinners]], etc. It is also possible to buy ready made control panels. See the [[vendors]] page on where to get these items.
:It is also a wise idea when it comes to control panel design to 'test fit' your controls using a piece of cardboard, cheap wood, or a piece of ridgid insulation. Your layout might look good on paper (or in your [[Technical_design_software|design software]]), but nothing beats testing to make sure everything is to your satisfaction prior to making your final model.

*'''How to interface the controls?'''
:Once you have decided what controls you want, how do those controls connect to the PC? See the [[Controls|interfacing controls with your PC]] section for various options. Things to keep in mind when selecting an interface board, are the number of available connections and the amount of controls you plan to use.

*'''What type of display device do you want to use?'''
:There are various options, ranging from [[Televisions]], [[PC Monitors]] and even real [[Arcade Monitors]]. Keep in mind that these have different connections and might need a special [[Video Cards|videocard]]. Also an arcade monitor is mounted diffently in a cabinet than a television (which might sit on a shelf in your cab).

*'''What about artwork?'''
:[[Contents#Arcade_Art|Artwork]] can make your cabinet stand out and look authentic or personalized. What art are you going to use and what size do the images need to be? Do you want art on your [[Control panel]]?

*'''Any extras?'''
:How do you want to control your emulator software? Do you want special administration buttons on your control panel (or hidden elsewhere on your cabinet?). Do you want to add a drawer to have access to your PC's keyboard? Perhaps add a [[Coin Doors|coin door]] or have 'insert coin' buttons? Do you want speakers with volume control? Any special lighting such as lighted buttons or a marquee?

==Building the cabinet==
Once you settled on your cabinet's design, it is time to start the hard dirty work. Your arcade experience is basically two parts. The cabinet itself and the computer that runs it. The [[Examples]] and [[Building]] portals will give you two great places to start when creating your cabinet. Many of the example links have step by step instructions and pictures, while the Building portal has information on materials and tools.

==Building the guts==
Once the cabinet is built, you can install the controls into your [[Control panel]] and wire everything up. The [[Controls]] portal has a list of various types of arcade controls and control interfaces that will make it easier to select and wire up your control panel.

==Setting up the computer==
The [[Software]] portal provides a staring point for getting various arcade emulators up and running on your cabinet. It is probably a good idea to get your emulators installed before you move your PC into the cabinet. While a cabinet is great for playing arcade games, it is not a very confortable working spot to fix your software's settings. If you have more computers in your home, you might want to consider hooking the arcade cabinet computer into a home network. This allows you to update files from another PC or even control the computer using a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_Services remote desktop client tool].

==See Also==
* [[Examples]]
* [[Building]]
* [[Controls]]
* [[Finishing]]

==External Links==
* [http://users.adelphia.net/~seanhat/arcade/ LuSiD's Arcade Flashback] Many DIY cabinets have been based on this guide.
* [http://minimame.com/downloads.asp MiniMame PDF plans] An excellent printable guide. The document describes a scaled down version of an arcade cabinet, the used techniques are usable in full scale projects as well.
[[Category:Basics]]
[[Category:Index]]