26 replies to this topic

[Rombo]

I just setup a Sainsmart USB relay board in my Cab.  Right now I only have solenoids attached for the flippers to ports 1 and 2.  Using the test software everything works fine, but when I go into VPX I get nothing. Before I placed the configuration files from the DOF site into the DirectOutput\Config folder, when I went into the B2S plugins I would get DirectOutput Status Active, after adding the configuration files I get disabled due to exception.  DirectOutput Framework has encountered a exception during setup.

 

 

 

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Edited by Rombo, 12 April 2021 - 06:58 PM.

[mrjcrane]

There are a few significant moving parts in play:

1) Did you use the USB 8 Relay Manager tool to at least prove that the solenoids 1 & 2 are triggering?

2) You do have a login account on DOF Config Tool site, correct?

3) Did you at least get set up with DOF and get the configuration file placed in C:\DirectOutput\config\ as directoutputconfig40.ini (that tells the VPX games what DOF devices to trigger, I have all 8 connected) ?

4) Did you at least get the "Activate Plugins" flag set correctly to on in the B2S server?

5) In the B2s Active Plugins/Plugin Settings is DOF showing as an "Active Plugin"? (My plugin version number is 3.1.7011)

 

As long as you are loading a B2S for the table you are playing and plugins are active, the solenoids should trigger.

 

Let me know what game you are testing with and I will help you along. I have a Sainsmart8 relay board in my pin cab so our setups will be almost identical.

 

- mrjc. 

Edited by mrjcrane, 13 April 2021 - 12:47 AM.

[Rombo]

There are a few significant moving parts in play:

1) Did you use the USB 8 Relay Manager tool to at least prove that the solenoids 1 & 2 are triggering?

2) You do have a login account on DOF Config Tool site, correct?

3) Did you at least get set up with DOF and get the configuration file placed in C:\DirectOutput\config\ as directoutputconfig40.ini (that tells the VPX games what DOF devices to trigger, I have all 8 connected) ?

4) Did you at least get the "Activate Plugins" flag set correctly to on in the B2S server?

5) In the B2s Active Plugins/Plugin Settings is DOF showing as an "Active Plugin"? (My plugin version number is 3.1.7011)

 

As long as you are loading a B2S for the table you are playing and plugins are active, the solenoids should trigger.

 

Let me know what game you are testing with and I will help you along. I have a Sainsmart8 relay board in my pin cab so our setups will be almost identical.

 

- mrjc. 

 

1) Yes

2) Yes

3) Yes

4) Yes

5) Prior to placing the directoutputconfig40.ini in the DirectOuput\Config folder the DOF plugin showed as active, after placing the file in the folder it shows "Disabled due to exception"

 

I am testing on Attack From Mars

 

The DirectOutput folder is in the root of the C: Drive.  I have only one installation of it.  None of the files in the directory are blocked and the com object is registered.

 

Edited by Rombo, 13 April 2021 - 03:35 AM.

[mrjcrane]

Great legwork on everything and all the troubleshooting. Looks like you have all of the major components in play. Like you, I have my Direct Output folder as a branch off the C:\DirectOutput\config\ path. I think for simplicity I tried to match what Major Frenchy was describing in his YouTube tutorial.  I see you are a few versions ahead of me on 3.1.7698 with your Direct Output driver. I'm kind of wondering if something in some executable needs to be set to "Run as Administrator". I'm on B2s server v1.3.0.4 file version 1.2 ... I'm going to have to think on it overnight. I'm guessing that testing with a different table gives the same error result?

 

Just a wild stab, your directoutputconfig40.ini file is in plain text, correct? Meaning it is not still in compressed or zipped format. You should be able to review it in notepad.

[Rombo]

There are no zip files in my Config directory.  But if there were, then I would think that they would just be ignored.  Do you have any of the executable files in your DirectOtuput folder set to run as admin?

[zebulon]

Have you written a cabinet.xml file that contains the serial number and comport of the sainsmart board?   Without it DOF won't find the controller.

[Outhere]

Have you written a cabinet.xml file that contains the serial number and comport of the sainsmart board?   Without it DOF won't find the controller.

That's not needed anymore if you only have one 8 relay sainsmart board

When posting large items like a LOG or ini files

After you paste - highlight it, Then click on this symbol above <> then post

Post log

Post picture of your DirectOutput & config folder

[Rombo]

Have you written a cabinet.xml file that contains the serial number and comport of the sainsmart board?   Without it DOF won't find the controller.

I have tried that and it didn't remediate it.

I also have a KL25Z that I am using for Nudge.   Could that be causing the issue?

Edited by Rombo, 13 April 2021 - 07:06 PM.

[Rombo]

 

Have you written a cabinet.xml file that contains the serial number and comport of the sainsmart board?   Without it DOF won't find the controller.

That's not needed anymore if you only have one 8 relay sainsmart board

When posting large items like a LOG or ini files

After you paste - highlight it, Then click on this symbol above <> then post

Post log

Post picture of your DirectOutput & config folder

 

 

[Outhere]

What other hardware Besides Sainsmart USB relay board are you using - If none then

remove this file  directoutputconfig  and see what does and you may have to re register DOF
Suggestion in windows have it set so you can see the extensions of the files

[Rombo]

What other hardware Besides Sainsmart USB relay board are you using - If none then

remove this file  directoutputconfig  and see what does and you may have to re register DOF
Suggestion in windows have it set so you can see the extensions of the files

 

I have a KL25Z for nudge, I have an iPac for all controls, and a PinDMDV3.
 

Edited by Rombo, 14 April 2021 - 01:39 AM.

[Outhere]

 

What other hardware Besides Sainsmart USB relay board are you using - If none then

remove this file  directoutputconfig  and see what does and you may have to re register DOF
Suggestion in windows have it set so you can see the extensions of the files

 

I have a KL25Z for nudge, I have an iPac for all controls, and a PinDMDV3.
 

 

On the DOF website only select the hardware you are using for DOF

I believe these are the files/Folder you should have in your config folder plus the ones from the website

Examples <--Folder
tablemappings.xml
DirectOutputShapes.xml
DirectOutputShapes.png
GlobalConfig_B2SServer.xml
DirectOutputTesterSettings.xml

[mrjcrane]

Sounds like "Outhere" is closing in on the issue to assist you. Like you I also have the KL25Z but no additional boards. My KL25Z came with my $160 VirtuaPin Digital Plunger Kit but .... I converted to the optical plunger sensor to a standard analog potentiometer via the Pinscape plunger solution for less than 30 bucks. I like it way way better. 

 

Think like Outhere said if you just register the components you are using for the DOF triggering it may put you back on track.

[Rombo]

What other hardware Besides Sainsmart USB relay board are you using - If none then

remove this file  directoutputconfig  and see what does and you may have to re register DOF
Suggestion in windows have it set so you can see the extensions of the files

 

Removing the directoutputconfig.ini and leaving the directoutputconfig40.ini resolved the issue.  Prior to posting here I tried removing the directoutputconfig.ini and renaming the directoutputconfig40.ini to directoutputconfig.ini, but it didn't work.  I have been watching Terry Red's videos and saw that he had both files in his config folder.  Any idea on why this was an issue?

 

Thank you for your assistance in resolving this matter.

Edited by Rombo, 14 April 2021 - 06:58 PM.

[Outhere]

 

What other hardware Besides Sainsmart USB relay board are you using - If none then

remove this file  directoutputconfig  and see what does and you may have to re register DOF
Suggestion in windows have it set so you can see the extensions of the files

 

Removing the directoutputconfig.ini and leaving the directoutputconfig40.ini resolved the issue.  Prior to posting here I tried removing the directoutputconfig.ini and renaming the directoutputconfig40.ini to directoutputconfig.ini, but it didn't work.  I have been watching Terry Red's videos and saw that he had both files in his config folder.  Any idea on why this was an issue?

 

Thank you for your assistance in resolving this issue.

 

Those files are related to the type of hardware you have So the DOF saw the file and then it was probably looking for the hardware to match it

[Rombo]

 

Those files are related to the type of hardware you have So the DOF saw the file and then it was probably looking for the hardware to match it.

 

The directoutputconfig.ini file did not have any hardware in it.  I placed it in there because it was needed to run the FX3 animated backglass.  When it was the only file in the config folder it showed as active in the B2S server.  But putting both of them in there at once caused an issue.

 

What type of solenoids are you using in your cab?

 

 

 

[Outhere]

 

 

Those files are related to the type of hardware you have So the DOF saw the file and then it was probably looking for the hardware to match it.

 

The directoutputconfig.ini file did not have any hardware in it.  I placed it in there because it was needed to run the FX3 animated backglass.  When it was the only file in the config folder it showed as active in the B2S server.  But putting both of them in there at once caused an issue.

 

What type of solenoids are you using in your cab?

 

 

 

 

I used real Pinball parts

[mrjcrane]

Rombo, I took a bit of a shortcut, I decided that all the attached toys in my cabinet needed to be able to trigger from a maximum of 12v, which I siphon off from a molex connection from my PC power supply over to the Sainsmart. I only bought parts that will trigger @ 12v.  This means the solenoids, shaker and knocker on my Sainsmart 8 would have to trigger them at 12v.  I do have some real pinball parts and found my knocker would trigger @ 12v. I used an authentic Stern Munsters shaker motor that triggers @ 12v. If I had to try it again I may try the "Contactors" route OR ... the 12v automotive starter realy option. I'm not ruling either out at this point.

 

 

Amazon.com: DC 12V Push Type Open Frame Solenoid Electromagnet (ZYE1-0837ZP) by NDRTJM: Computers & Accessories

Edited by mrjcrane, 15 April 2021 - 07:57 AM.

[Rombo]

Rombo, I took a bit of a shortcut, I decided that all the attached toys in my cabinet needed to be able to trigger from a maximum of 12v, which I siphon off from a molex connection from my PC power supply over to the Sainsmart. I only bought parts that will trigger @ 12v.  This means the solenoids, shaker and knocker on my Sainsmart 8 would have to trigger them at 12v.  I do have some real pinball parts and found my knocker would trigger @ 12v. I used an authentic Stern Munsters shaker motor that triggers @ 12v. If I had to try it again I may try the "Contactors" route OR ... the 12v automotive starter realy option. I'm not ruling either out at this point.

 

 

Amazon.com: DC 12V Push Type Open Frame Solenoid Electromagnet (ZYE1-0837ZP) by NDRTJM: Computers & Accessories

I bought 2 of these for the flippers : https://www.amazon.c...product_details

And this is the 12V PSU that I am running them off of: https://www.amazon.c...product_details

 

I read that you shouldn't use your PCs PSU to run your toys.  How many watts is your PSU rated for?

 

I just bought 3 of these for more effects: https://www.summitra...-hoC8yIQAvD_BwE

 

This is the cab that i have: https://www.recroomm...m-xt-40-pin.htm

I bought it in September of 2017 when they first started making them.  I went this route because I had previously purchased their 32" upright arcade cab and was very happy with it.

Almost 4 years ago 4K wasn't a thing for VPinball, now it is.  The cabinet has to be worked on from underneath, which makes it harder to do things as there isn't a bottom to mount parts on.  Also to swap the monitor you have to take the backgallss assembly off and put the cab on its left side and pull the right side off.  A major pain, but I will have to undertake it at some point when I can actually purchase a 3000 series GPU.

Edited by Rombo, 15 April 2021 - 08:13 PM.

[mrjcrane]

Thanks for letting me know your hardware helps me plan for the future. So far I have no noticeable issues using the shared power supply.. I think it has a pretty good high power rating. Not sure what the watts rating is.  I cheated as I did not want to fart around with a secondary power supply. I'm guessing the biggest intermittent power drain may come from my shaker motor OR if I hold both flipper solenoids open for an extended period; so I try not to do that too much without thinking first. The remaining 4 solenoids (2 slingshot and 2 pop bumpers) go off random enough that again it does not put a significant simultaneous power draw against the power supply. When I upgrade to the Sainsmart 16 I may put in a dedicated power supply but again, I'll stick with toys that can run off of 12v so I can use off the shelf automotive parts if I please (door openers, window motors and so on, just allows more of the shelf choices). 

 

P.S. Are the automotive starter relays super loud??

 

Edited by mrjcrane, 15 April 2021 - 08:59 PM.