Arcade Machines

[namzep]

One thing you need to do with that Truxton is either find an original bezel or find someone who has one that will scan it for you.  Even a Truxton II would work. 

edit: Guess I could show you what I've got:






The third cab's in transit and it a dynamo that has had Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter transplanted into it.

[nintendodork]

Yeah.  The guy who delivered it also collects/repairs arcade machines as a hobby, and he said that when he got it, it was a POS (the entire cabinet), so he had to replace the original with this generic bezel.  Of course, of all the generic ones out there, this one seems the most fitting.  I hope to get an original one someday, though.

Edit* Just saw your pics, those cabinets look nice!  I think they look better than mine.  Truxton has this one white spot on the side, but I figure I can just paint over it, and Asteroids has some wear down by the controls...it looks like people tried scratching/punching the area over the controls, but it's nothing big.  I have some nice, small projects to look forward too!  Also, where can one locate the DIP switches in an upright cabinet?  I wanna change a few things on Truxton.

Edit 2* Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCoj95w2SPc

[namzep]

You know, I've never really messed with the dip switches so I really have no idea.  Both of my cabs are going to be refinished.  The vertical monitor cab is becoming a Galaga (but using a 48-in-1 board) and the horizontal one is being converted to a Tetris.  Then, they'll look much nicer (maybe not factory fresh but darn close).

[nintendodork]

I just opened Asteroids, since the PCB is right on the door, and I found the DIP switches in that one.  The only thing I thought of changing was "Push Start" to "Startknoepfe drucken"   Anyway, I'm assuming the DIP switches in Truxton are also in the PCB, but I need a light to see exactly where.  Is it safe to use a flash light on the PCB?

[turbo D]

http://www.solvalou.com/subpage/arcade_dips/T/truxton

[nintendodork]

I've got Truxton's manual, so I know what they do, I just don't know where they are for sure in the actual machine, and I was wondering if it's safe to shine a flashlight into the machine.  I don't want to erase the EPROMS or anything.

[Rogles]

I think you'll be fine, as EPROMs use UV light... Unless you've got a blacklight flashlight or something.

[turbo D]

ya, the UV light used to erase eproms is blinding. You'll be fine with le flashlight. I was with my cab.

[nintendodork]

Thanks for reassuring me, guys.  The thing that pisses me off is that they're not doing what the book says they do...or at least I don't think so Tongue

EDIT:  Anyone know a site that sells reproductions of sideart or takes custom requests?  Truxton isn't a very well known game, so I haven't had any luck on eBay or Google.

[cosmic-ark]

not sure if this will help its in australia but our dollar is only worth 60-70 us cents so it may be beneficial anway heres the link     http://www.highway.net.au/parts/headers/3088_1.html

[nintendodork]

Thanks for trying, but, this looks like a marquee...and an unoriginal one at that.  That's the only original thing about mine

[nintendodork]

Does anyone have any experience or know how hard it is to swap PCBs in arcade machines?  I'd like to buy a few if it's not too tough.  Also, what are JAMMA harnesses used for?  The guy who delivered Truxton said it's on a JAMMA board, and I was wondering what's so special about the JAMMA harness..and what makes it different from regular (and Nintendo) PCBs.

[133MHz]

You can picture a JAMMA harness as a game cartridge connector. You can swap JAMMA games just like you can swap cartridges on consoles. Want to play another game? Unplug the original board and plug in another one. Easy!



You can also get adapters to convert non-JAMMA games (like Pac-Man and Nintendo PCBs) into JAMMA games.

[manuel]

It probably helps to live in a big city, too. I guess he's in the Tokyo region.

For 50 bucks even I could afford those... but I doubt you can really get them for that cheap?
Even most home consoles cost more than that used. 

Well I know what a lot of people do is buy "broken" arcade systems for cheap then fix them up to look like new. Some build all new cabinets and stuff. It's all about your passion for the arcade gaming I guess.

That's the way for people with skills.
Non-enlightened people like me have to go the expensive route and buy working stuff. 
Maybe I should get some books on electronics and do some study.

[namzep]

I think the best way to learn is to just jump in on arcade machines.  I didn't have any skill the first time I built a control panel and I was still able to make something that worked fine (not pretty to look at, though).  Arcade machines (aside from monitors and boards, which have tons of small parts to work on) are really not all that complicated.

edit: Guess I should show off my new machine: