Multi PCB setup possibilities...

[mrjingles75]

Hey guys. I was hoping someone here could point me in the right direction for creating a multi PCB setup for an Egret 2.

Do JAMMA splitter boxes exist that let you select a PCB from a control box or something? Any tips / insight would be much appreciated. Alot of my PCBs don't get enough play time because of the hassle of swapping them out and I'd rather not be making frequent harness changes with my older boards.

Cheers!

[neorichieb1971]

I think there is something of a double jamma harness available.

[shmuppyLove]

I have seen multi-slot JAMMA switch boards, like 4 or 6 slots, that have a wireless remote used for switching. Very similar to a Neo Geo MVS or the multi-slot ST-V boards. And the sellers claim they are safe and don't require additional power, since the unused boards are not powered on.

I'm a little skeptical of these, the last thing you would want is to damage one of your PCBs, and unlike an MVS or ST-V, regular JAMMA boards aren't designed to be 'switched' on the fly like this.

I imagine it could be done in a safe way, but who knows how well it's been designed or manufactured.

OTOH, it would save some wear and tear on your connectors if you're swapping games a lot.

[Dave_K.]

First thing you should know about multi-jamma adapters is that they are NOT going to make your life "easier". Most PCBs have very different refresh rates and resolutions, meaning you still have to pop open your control panel and adjust the monitor setting each time you switch between games. You will also have to adjust your power supply voltages to make sure the added draw powers both boards adequately. Oh, and don't even thing about trying to power more than 2 boards without an additional external power supply!

I agree with shmuppylove on those cheap Chinese made "remote control" multi-jamma boards on ebay. You will not only risk damaging your PCBs, but also the power supply in your cabinet.

What I do recommend, is Mike's Double JAMMA adapter. I've got a couple of these, and use them to run matched PCBs in my cabs, such as Garegga+Batrider, or Ketsui+DDPDOJ. PCBs that are made by the same manufacturer, around the same time, typically have the same resolution and refresh rate. Mike's adapter keeps power to both games, so you don't have to wait for the game to boot up when switching. Switching is done instantly by pressing P1 and P2 start buttons at the same time.

[cools]

I disagree regarding the monitor settings. It depends on your choice of games but it's perfectly reasonable to run lesser played stuff with "wrong" settings simply for convenience. I have Raiden DX, Batrider, Ibara and Pink Sweets in one cab, with the monitor set for the Cave boards - and both RDX and APB are okay on the same screen. Not quite full or perfectly centred but totally playable

The Chinese multis worry me. I'm using one I managed to score that was manufactured in the 80s, all hand built and pretty much bombproof. Swapped the cab PSU for a 15Amp one (and carefully adjusted the 5V while hooking everything up one board at a time) and everything's good.

[Dave_K.]

Regarding monitor settings, sure it depends on how lazy you want to be about things , but I wanted to set his expectations that this doesn't magically make each game look correct when you are flipping between them, especially throwing random games together.

[mrjingles75]

Thanks for the info guys! Just to be clear, the last thing I want to do is run a configuration that risks damaging either the cab or PCB. The main issue for me is avoiding too many Jamma harness on and offs with certain boards that I like to play regularly. In particular Donpachi and Dodonpachi.

The double Jamma adapter sounds like it might do the job but I don't like the idea of having power to both boards while I play just one. I wouldn't need to switch instantly between them for any reason.

I take your point about having to adjust the monitor for different board types but that doesn't both me so much. I saw that a user on Arcade Otaku had this in his cab. I pm'd him but got no answer so maybe one of you guys knows whats going on here:




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[shmuppyLove]

He's using a 3in1 multi-JAMMA board, looks like this one:



With some JAMMA extension harnesses (instead of plugging the board directly into the switcher)

[mrjingles75]

Thanks shmuppylove Do you know where I can buy one and are they safe?

[shmuppyLove]

Not sure where you can get one, or if they are safe.

I've seen them on eBay and from some online arcade parts resellers just in passing, never really looked at them for myself since I don't have a cab (yet