Controlblock & Powerblock?

Abradel

Good day everyone,

I am brand new to all of this (I haven't even bought anything yet!). I am really wanting to make a retro full-standing arcade cabinet running a plethora of old school games.

I would like to create a system that has two joystick/button combos on the console.

My questions are:

Do I need both a controlblock AND a powerblock? I am getting confused as I read all of this because it seems the controlblock has the functionality of the powerblock built in? I'm I incorrect in assuming that?
Off topic, but I'm here so I thought I would ask. Does anybody by chance have a site with plans for a full-standing retropie arcade cabinet?

THank you kindly!
Abby

jsawhite

The powerblock is for turning the PI on and off via a switch. The control block is for connecting controls as well as managing power. So you do not need both. If you plan to connect your controls via some external method (keyboard encoder, or gamepad), then you would only need the powerblock. If you want to manage power as well as have a method to connect controls, you would use the control block.

As far as plans, I haven't looked for those in several years (I've built several cabinets). When I was looking before I went to arcadecontrols.com. But I'm sure there are many others in a Google search...

Abradel

Brilliant! Thank you very much for the help. Looks like I'm ordering up a Controlblock!

Cheers,

Abby