Custom Arcade Cabinet Build

jwshuler

@mattyl42 Matt, I appreciate the response. The counter I think went to the board; I'm not exactly sure where b/c the cabinet did not come with a board. However, the counter was mounted on the coin box. I wasn't planning on using the coin machine to connect to the pi; I was planning just to use it as a bank.

Do you think there is a script I could write for the pi to just send 1 tick to the counter every-time it is turned on? It could simply count how many times I turn the power on? I also have the pi auto booting to the emulation station; I guess I could have the script run before it boots ES, right? I am a newbie when it comes to the coding. Thanks for the conversation and ideas @MattyL42 MattyL42

caver01

@jwshuler I can think of a bunch of ways to approach this via coin drop, boot, emulator launch, etc..

For example, depending on how you are planning to implement the coin drop, you could wire a switch to GPIO pins and have a script running that watches for the switch to get tripped. You might need to dig into Python for instance, but I would think it could be fairly straightforward to read the existing count from a file, increment it, save it, every time the coin is triggered.

You could use the same script logic to simply run at boot. Or run it each time an emulator is launched using runcommand-onstart.

Another idea would be to take a date/time stamp and append this to a text file (a log). You could include the date/time, the emulator, the game title, etc. Come to think of it, maybe that log already exists? This would let you count the triggers outside of the script over the network instead of programming it to do math, and you could do that even while the system is running.

You could even use TOUCH to create new, empty files in some directory every time and just add these up and clear them out occasionally like collecting coins.

I think you have a bunch of options and if you were so inclined, it could lead to a usage dashboard.

MattyL42

Hi Buddy- I'm a noob with writing script but you have some great options supplied by Caver so plenty to try.
I might try this out myself to. Im just going away for a week but I will have a look when I get back.

I restore a few retro fruit machines and there's a type called an SEC meter available (lcd and convetional style) which I will look at that works on low voltages ( no power in as such). I will try one of these i have in line with my button switch/keyboard incoder. I'm not sure on the low voltages but there maybe a way to wire this to your 'coin in button' it may even just pick up wrapped around the wire and to ground. I will try this as it won't take me long and i have a few but will it will be about a week mate...coin counter is a cool feature to retain.

caver01

Something to keep in mind with the coin counter is the fact that if you are planning to load anything other than arcade games, the COIN input is usually the same as <SELECT> on the console emulators. So, if you are playing NES for example, you might not want to count coin drops when all you are doing is pressing SELECT.

fletch33

i have a fully mobile setup with the pie located under the controls in an enclosed box. i wanted to update the Hyperspin setup i had in a cabinet as it was flaky at best. i decided to alter the cabinet to allow the mobile box to sit and look like its part of the arcade cabinet but i can also take it out for travel if needed.
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Clyde

Hi @fletch33, do you have a thread or other demonstration of your build? A friend of mine is toying with the idea of such a dynamic setup, and it may give him some insights beforehand.

Clyde

@jwshuler said in Custom Arcade Cabinet Build:

@clyde Thanks! Have a link or photos for yours?

I do now. :)

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/17268/my-asteroids-themed-diy-upright-cabinet

retroprogrammer

how did you setup the coin button and all the extra buttons?

Clyde

@retroprogrammer I'll answer that over there.

jwshuler

@caver01 Great; thank you for your insight!

jwshuler

@clyde said:
I do now. :)

https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/17268/my-asteroids-themed-diy-upright-cabinet

Very Nice!

jwshuler

ARCADE BUILD UPDATE: I am now into the sawdust; repairing parts that are water damaged, then customizing the cabinet but building out the control panel.
I decided to convert the bottom half to storage by adding a door as the front.
Check out all the pictures and details HERE

I have to say I am really enjoying the challenge to rework this old cabinet and customize it to my own. And I am happy how the cabinet door turned out, especially with the coin collector still in-tact (which I think I am going to turn into a bank for my son).
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As far as a counter, I think I am going to try and figure out how to add a script to when the pie boots, to add 1 tick to the counter. Now all I have to do is figure out the code, how to add it to boot menu, and how to send it to the counter...
Again total noob and no coding experience, but I am willing to try anything!!! :]

Clyde

@jwshuler Great project and presentation. :)

As for the counter script, the easiest way to start it at boot should be adding it to the /opt/retropie/configs/all/autostart.sh.

fletch33

@clyde said in Custom Arcade Cabinet Build:

Hi @fletch33, do you have a thread or other demonstration of your build? A friend of mine is toying with the idea of such a dynamic setup, and it may give him some insights beforehand.

i apologize but the replies from this forum were going into my Junk. i didnt take pics as i built it and should have but i can share a few things for sure.

i used computer speaker system that included a bass box which really adds to the sound and placed the speakers above the screen where they originally were located but i left the volume control for the speakers hanging right inside the coin ops door so you can turn it up and down really easy
also inside the coin ops door is a switched extension cord so i can open the door and turn it off and on really easily
i was looking for just the right black wood or something to go around the samsung monitor and i discovered that a $6 piece of dry erase board is black on the back and worked great

glad to help any way i can and i will try to get better pics

Clyde

@fletch33 Thanks for the description. I was mostly interested in the control box that you can detach from the rest of the cabinet (if I did understand you correctly). If you don't have pictures from the building phase, could you take some of the finished cab and the control box, attached and detached? Only if it isn't too much of a hassle, of course. O:)

jwshuler

ARCADE BUILD UPDATE: Speakers & Monitor. Had some fun measuring, rewiring & soldering. It is actually starting to look like an arcade cabinet. Check out the pictures and details HERE.

Clyde

@jwshuler said in Custom Arcade Cabinet Build:

It is actually start to look like an arcade cabinet.

It sure does. :)