Is your PCB vulernerable and exposed?

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How do you protect your PCB?

It's vulnerable on a table. I'm very careful!
8
29%
Custom Enclosure. I made this!
5
18%
Hidden out of view. Can't touch this!
1
4%
In a cab, the only way to game.
14
50%
 
Total votes: 28

agustusx
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Is your PCB vulernerable and exposed?

Post by agustusx »

I have been saving for a pcb for months, and have no interest in a cab. Supergun solutions seem acceptable but then the board is exposed with no safe home. This has always been a sticking point for me. I've seen plenty of pictures of folks who set up their PCB with a supergun and leave the pcb on a table. This looks like such a bad idea to me, but I am sure that it is unavoidable...

Since most PCB do not come in an enclosure I would think many would want to protect the board with something custom. Since boards vary in size and setup I can see how there is no generic solution.

So, do you leave your PCB on the table, or did you come up with a custom box or another solution? Stories and pics would be appreciated.
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kernow
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Post by kernow »

You could always make a perspex 'case' for it. Like others have previously.

a sheet of perspex either side of the board, using the holes usually used for the PCB feet, with metal spacers and nuts on the end. Works well and looks nice.
agustusx
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Post by agustusx »

plexiglass is an old friend/foe of mine. Do for example, Cave pcbs share common feet positioning? Does it change by generation or is each game unique?
PC Engine Fan X!
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Post by PC Engine Fan X! »

agustusx wrote:plexiglass is an old friend/foe of mine. Do for example, Cave pcbs share common feet positioning? Does it change by generation or is each game unique?
The PCB feet position on the Atlus based Cave PCBs are different from the PGM-based ones. The DDP-DOJ PCB comes with an all metal enclosure case and already has mounting holes on it to mount to whatever floats your boat be it plexiglass or wood, etc. Of course, the barebones Ketsui and ESPgaluda PCB don't come with the blue DDP-DOJ metal case anyways but still have the obligatory holes to mount PCB feet. The later SH-3 based Cave PCBs have an even smaller PCB footprint in terms of size compared to the bigger sibilings of the Atlus and PGM released Cave PCBs...you can mount PCB feet on an small and very compact SH-3 based Cave PCB with style and pizazz! ^_~

Some arcade PCBs like the Sega Titan ST-V motherboard has a whopping seven PCB feet spread around at various spots on the underside. Crazy and bordering on overkill but it works nevertheless. ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~
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robivy64
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Post by robivy64 »

When I used to rock the supergun several years ago, I used to set my boards on a rubber mat when playing. Then, I would store them in either mailing boxes or U-line boxes.

Store your boards in anti-static bags. Do not set them ON a static bag, especially while running.

They can be surprisingly resiliant as long as you don't do anything stupid.
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Ganelon
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Post by Ganelon »

Yeah, you can pretty much do anything to most PCBs. As far as I've ever seen, professional technicians who work on PCBs will just leave them on tables for weeks with no fear of dust messing them up. Doesn't hurt to be safe for some of the more valuable stuff though.
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emphatic
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Post by emphatic »

Some collectors wash their PCB's (if for instance bought dusty/dirty on eBay) with soap and water. Just remove all of the roms and other parts that are removeable first, then you can dry the PCB either in the owen @ about 100 Celcius or on top of the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner (it should be made of plastic so no static current travel to the PCB.

http://www.arcaderestoration.com/index. ... =292&CBT=4
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RegalSin wrote:Street Fighters. We need to aviod them when we activate time accellerator.
agustusx
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Post by agustusx »

thanks all for the replies, i would have never guessed they were so durable.
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system11
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Post by system11 »

I leave my boards on a box just at the foot of the cab, with the cables trailing out of the front. Makes life so much easier.
System11's random blog, with things - and stuff!
http://blog.system11.org
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Ed Oscuro
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Post by Ed Oscuro »

robivy64 wrote:Do not set them ON a static bag, especially while running.
Interesting, I never would have thought of that. (smart-aleck reply, don't run with scissors either)
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kernow
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Post by kernow »

in a 100c oven to dry off? surely the solder would melt ?

who knows, I'm no scientist.

I'd personally let it dry off naturally.
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cools
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Post by cools »

Solder won't melt at that temperature. Google it :)
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kernow
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Post by kernow »

I'll google you in a minute! 8)
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undamned
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Post by undamned »

The thread title made me immediately think of those nonsensical titles for viagra junk mails :P
-ud
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jpj
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Post by jpj »

i like my pcbs the way i like my women - naked and vulnerable :P
RegalSin wrote:Videogames took my life away like the Natives during colonial times.
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emphatic
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Post by emphatic »

jpj wrote:i like my pcbs the way i like my women - naked and vulnerable :P
I like my pcbs the way i like my women - wrapped in pink plastic
Image | My games - http://www.emphatic.se
RegalSin wrote:Street Fighters. We need to aviod them when we activate time accellerator.
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kernow
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Post by kernow »

I like pcb's like my women, under 5yrs old and not touched.

:!:
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Ed Oscuro
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Post by Ed Oscuro »

kernow wrote:I like pcb's like my women, under 5yrs old and not touched.

:!:
In denial and has an obvious prophylactic latex fetish. "It's not touching, I put her in latex first!"

Me, I just throw my PCBs on a low-pile carpet (for storage).
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jpj
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Post by jpj »

i like my pcbs the way i like my women - demo sound off and set to freeplay
RegalSin wrote:Videogames took my life away like the Natives during colonial times.
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Ed Oscuro
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Post by Ed Oscuro »

I like my women the way i like my women - hanging inside a wooden cabinet and all tied in :idea:
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Dave_K.
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Post by Dave_K. »

jpj wrote:i like my pcbs the way i like my women - demo sound off and set to freeplay
Winner!
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