Projects for Beginners

[Acid King]

I've had my cab for about 7 years now but still don't have much in the way of troubleshooting knowledge. I'm looking for some projects I can get started on to help me learn the ins and outs of JAMMA with the goal of (hopefully) learning enough to fix a problem with my cab. My cab doesn't seem to like SH3 games very much. I bought a new Galuda 2 kit years ago and it didn't work, the voltmeter showed that it wasn't getting a steady supply of juice from the power supply. I tested it at a local arcade service center and it worked fine so I know it must be something with either the wiring or the power supply in my cab. I ended up selling Galuda 2 and picked up an Ibara kit and the same issue arose. I ended up trading the Ibara kit, but considering the outrageous cost of the port, I think I'd rather just splurge and get a proper PCB.

Anywho, long story short, I'd like to start learning more about the hardware end and potentially rewire my cab and try and get the SH3 games working (Ibara is what I really want to be honest). I am currently considering building a supergun, since it would allow me to play my MVS on my TV while keeping the cab vert for shooters. Any suggested tips/reading for a newbie to the maintenance end of the work? Right now I'm leaning toward a super gun, but also perhaps consolizing my MVS as well. Any recommendations of good beginner projects for this kind of stuff? Are kind of intro to electronics books I should read before getting started? Any help is much appreciated.

EDIT: Fixed sleeping medication induced typos

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

I'm sorry to say that I don't have anything of value to add to this thread, just thought I'd bump it because it's a really good idea. I, too, only know the basics about cabs (Jamma pinouts etc.) and even those are shaky. A thread full of this kind of information would be a good thing to have.

[gray117]

Arcade Otaku have a wiki that may be a better format?

http://wiki.arcadeotaku.com/

... helps to then keep threads on specific topics/single issues etc. As to the specific problems mentioned; a new power supply for yourself sounds like the first step

[brokenhalo]

well, maybe not a project, but i can help you fix your problem, as i experienced the same issues with the sh3 boards. I'm assuming that you have a power supply that looks something like this:



iirc, it doesn't ouput enough power on the -5v rail, so the sh-3 board light just blinks on and off and won't power up. you need to replace the power supply. riverservice sells this sexy beast. it's a bit pricey (shippings the real killer, as it's heavy), but it's a direct drop in replacement. all you do is unplug the connectors on your original power-supply, unbolt it from the cab floor, and hook the new one up. bolt holes line up, poower cords are the same. it's a 10 minute job tops.

[RGB]

@brokenhalo - SH3 (and other Cave boards for this matter) don't use -5V at all, I think you meant +5V.

@Acid King - I suggest you check your wiring first, because Cave games don't require much juice.

[Acid King]

Thanks guys and thanks for the link, gray. You just gave me a lot of reading. I think I'll stick with the supergun idea for the time being. I have a friend who is all about the Midway games from the 90's and is willing to bankroll the project with the hope of playing Mortal Kombat 2 and NBA Jam.

well, maybe not a project, but i can help you fix your problem, as i experienced the same issues with the sh3 boards. I'm assuming that you have a power supply that looks something like this:



iirc, it doesn't ouput enough power on the -5v rail, so the sh-3 board light just blinks on and off and won't power up. you need to replace the power supply. riverservice sells this sexy beast. it's a bit pricey (shippings the real killer, as it's heavy), but it's a direct drop in replacement. all you do is unplug the connectors on your original power-supply, unbolt it from the cab floor, and hook the new one up. bolt holes line up, poower cords are the same. it's a 10 minute job tops.

By gum, you nailed it. That's my power supply, alright, and my exact problem with the SH3 boards. I thought it may be the wiring because it seems rather ramshackle, which is why I'd like to rewire it, but seriously thanks for this. I guess it's time to start putting my pennies away...

As an aside, where are you in the Philly burbs? There maybe enough people around to have a Philly area meet sometime this summer.

[brokenhalo]

As an aside, where are you in the Philly burbs? There maybe enough people around to have a Philly area meet sometime this summer.

I'm down in Folsom, about 10 minutes south of the airport. I'd definitely show up for a meet, got a few boards i could bring too.

@RGB- I ran into this problem about 3 years ago and couldn't remember the particulars. But it's definitely the power supply. Here's the original thread I started on the subject http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=30693. After getting the River service power supply installed I haven't had any problems since. It seems to be a known issue with that particular power supply.