Intro

This project started when I wanted to do some woodwork and build an arcade controller. I built the controller this summer with the help of my father-in-law (or should I say I watched my father-in-law make it :).

The controller was made with plans provided from ArcadeCab. They were easy to follow, and really liked the look of the finished product. I choose not to use a trackball for the top part and instead added a joystick along with buttons. I found a template online and that worked well, too. Ideally, any type of box would work for this project. I just happen to have this on hand, so it made sense to use it.

I wanted to take it a little project a bit further and make into a portable PCB tester/Super Gun. If I am making a house calls, it’s always nice to test a PCB, monitor, or power by itself. This makes it easier to troubleshoot when you can pinpoint the problem.

Finishing Touches

The control panel needed a couple more items before I started to wire it up. A base to the bottom was added along with cutting out a slot for the Jamma connector. I ran a piece of scrap wood on the table saw for the base and then drilled out pilot hole for the connector. Using a coping saw, I was able to cut out the slot along with cleaning the cut a little bit with my Dremel. It wasn’t a perfect cut, but worked just fine.

Power Supply

I was going to use a switcher, but quickly realize I didn’t have the room to add one. I went with an external power supply that can supply both +5 and +12 volts. Looking online, I went with the LANcity SC200, which uses a 5-pin DIN connector.

I wanted to make sure the connector, the wiring, and the power supply worked before installing them, and found that all worked fine.

Adding Power

Once I had the LANcity power supply and connector installed, I ran the ground, +5, and +12 to a distribution block. From the Jamma harness, I soldered the following wires to the distribution block:

• Ground (pins 1, 2, A, B, 27, 28, e and f)
• +5 (pins 3, 4, C an D)
• -5 (pin 5 and E) (added circuit below)
• +12 (pins 6 and F)
  

Adding Audio

The next step was to divide the Jamma harness into different sections. The audio wires , video wires, and player one control wires were all bundled up and zip tied together. Ebay provided a small speaker that would fit into the box. The speaker + (pins 10) and speaker – (pin L) were added to the speaker. I added a connector in case I wanted to remove the speaker, or hook it up to my PS1 LCD monitor.

Adding Video

I took the red (pin 12), green (pin N), blue (pin 13), video ground (pin 14), and sync (pin P) wires and placed them into a connector. I like using a 4-pin and 2-pin connector since they will work with most monitors. A 10-pin connector works on some monitors, but there is more flexibility using a 4-pin and 2-pin connectors.

Player 1 Controls

I ran wires to the following controls:

• Joystick (pins 18-21)
• Buttons 1-4 (pins 22-25) to the top row of the buttons
• Coin 1 (pin 16) and Coin 2 (pin 2) to the bottom left buttons
• Test (pin 14) to the 3rd button on the bottom
• Service Switch (pin 4) to the 4th button on the bottom.
• Player 1 (pin 17) and Player 2 (pin U)

Note: Don’t forget to run a ground wire to all the buttons and joystick. You can

Final Thoughts and Testing

This unit worked on a couple different PCBs and different monitors. The decision was made to run a couple connectors with +5 volts and ground. These provided voltage to my VGA converter along with the ability to hook up a logic probe. When I finished this project, I realized I need to add a couple more items when I have a chance.

1. I would like to create a simple circuit that will take the +5 volts and convert it to -5 volts. Some of the audio on the PCBs that I tested didn’t work due to not having -5 volts.
   EDIT: 01/07/2020 added a circuit to convert the +5 volts to -5 volts.
2. Another idea would be to add another top for the box and install a trackball. I would need to add a connector to the controls, and this would allow me to switch out between joystick or trackball.
3. Finally, I need to make the box a little prettier. This might include adding some laminate or vinyl to it.

Overall, this was a fun project to do and now have an easy way to test PCBs when I am away from my Jamma cabinet.

+5 Volts to -5 Volts Converter

Updated: January 7, 2020
The need to have -5 Volts was great enough to come back and add a this to the test bench. A simple circuit that I found was at Nuts and Volts. I had to order the ICL7660, but was a really easy circuit to make.

Once I verified that I was getting -5 Volts, I then connected the output to pin 5 and E.