88 replies to this topic

[DDH69]

Looking good.

 

Two good things about the software installation;

1) Its not really that hard

2) Unlike cuts and hole, you can do it over and over if it fails.

 

I'm sure you'll be fine.

[brycro5]

Your build is awesome. I started a windows 10 40in/21in standard cab about a week ago. Like I told another guy. Im a hammer. Give me a tool and I can fix it. Give me a engine I can install it. But downloading this software is driving me nuts. So far it seems I have things working. Kind of. LOL. I would love to share and pick at each other when you have time.

[kiwiBri]

Looking good.

 

Two good things about the software installation;

1) Its not really that hard

2) Unlike cuts and hole, you can do it over and over if it fails.

 

I'm sure you'll be fine.

 

I installed it on my laptop last year as a test ,, but thats not the same as what the VPin PC will be. I also understand that PinballX now has a "All in One Installer". I'll have to check that out.. 

What I did do in the VPin PC is install a SSD (100GB) main drive and have a spare regular 320GB drive installed. I plan to make backups of the drive/system regularly so if I have to go back I have restore points. 

 

Your build is awesome. I started a windows 10 40in/21in standard cab about a week ago. Like I told another guy. Im a hammer. Give me a tool and I can fix it. Give me a engine I can install it. But downloading this software is driving me nuts. So far it seems I have things working. Kind of. LOL. I would love to share and pick at each other when you have time.

 

Ironically I am a "computer guy" by trade.. but I found the hardware build more interesting so far :-) 

 

I'm going to keep a log of the things I do as I install the software. Not sure if there is a updated "how to install.." post on the forum (esp. for Windows 10) , but the idea is I will post my notes when I am done.  

[kiwiBri]

Not much to update...Been looking into the parts of the flasher bar. Still need to sort out the resistors and how I will actually make it once the components all arrive.   Been looking at replacing the screws that hold the wooden rails for the playfield display with something easier to remove. Will use a combination of thumb screw and t-nuts which I picked up on my hardware store run tonight. 

 

I did install the rear door on the cab with a hinge and magnetic latches. 

Edited by kiwiBri, 13 September 2018 - 07:02 PM.

[kiwiBri]

Installed new hardware as mentioned before for holding the playfield display. Also installed the bass speaker.

 

Short term plans:

I'll setup up the 2 monitors (Backglass and playfield) and also test the DMD (USB Driven) before I start with installing software.

 

I plan to take system backups of the PC before each major step. Will use something like Acronis Backup for the backup.

 

I purchased a WiFi dongle for the PC so I don't need to run ethernet across the floor. 

Edited by kiwiBri, 09 March 2017 - 04:28 PM.

[kiwiBri]

Software Installation

 

Currently I am battling with the Software installation . Pinball Fx2 is working well on the system, but I am having problems with Visual Pinball and my DMD setup. 

[More to come ]

 

Update:  All seems to be good now. Solved Issue I was having. Will Be going back to more hardware items to tie up everything soon :-)

Edited by kiwiBri, 16 March 2017 - 04:20 AM.

[kiwiBri]

PC Components.

 

Thought I'd post photos of some of the components I collected over the past 12 months for the PC Build. Purchased from Various places.

 

 

 

Here are the speakers and amp I am planning to use

 

 

PC Built and mounted in cab drawer.  I scavenged a PC and was able to fit my micro atx motherboard in there. Not having built a PC from scratch since 2005 I learnt a lot about the new technologies! PC has Windows 10 installed. The SSD drive flys.. Machine boots to desktop in about 19 seconds from power up. 

 

 

Its looking really good !!!   Here is the PC mounted on the pull out door in the back of the cab.

 

Edited by kiwiBri, 14 September 2018 - 12:44 AM.

[DDH69]

Looking good!

[Onevox]

Hey. VPF says you can't receive messages. No charge on the CCD board. just PM me an address.

Edited by Onevox, 15 March 2017 - 06:09 PM.

[kiwiBri]

[EDITED] 

Edited by kiwiBri, 13 September 2018 - 07:06 PM.

[kiwiBri]

Update:   I finally got the software (Visual Pinball, Pinball FX2 , The Pinball Arcade) installed, and tested. I was having trouble with a few tables not working with my DMD, but that seems to be fixed now, With the tables I loaded ( LAH, TZ and TOTAN) everything seems to play ok. 

 

Going to go back to the hardware build. Still need to do the following:

 

* Install speakers & Amp

* Wire up Buttons

* Install Pinscape Board and configure

* secure powerbar and cables in cab

* build and wire up flasher bar

[kiwiBri]

I have now taken out the playfield display so I can get back to work on the remainder of the cab. I rewired the backbox components to reduce the amount of cables coming down from there. A small power bar (3 outlets) provides power in the backbox for the TV and the DMD.

 

Speakers and wiring up next, but here's a picture of the cab during my testing

 

FX2

 

 

 

VPX

 

Edited by kiwiBri, 14 September 2018 - 12:45 AM.

[tthurman]

This is looking fantastic!  I really like the JD cab, and with your restoration efforts it's making an incredible pincab

[kiwiBri]

This is looking fantastic!  I really like the JD cab, and with your restoration efforts it's making an incredible pincab

 

thanks for the comments - really appreciated.  Comments and feedback from people reading build threads helps the motivation to get it done. To be honest I haven't really thought about the JD theme. I'm on the fence with it. I don't mind the character, just not a huge fan .  At least its not the Stallone film version I guess

 

Edit: Sept 13, 2018. 

I never did go with a decal,  am now glad I kept the JD theme on the cab. Fits in well with the flasher bar I built later.

Edited by kiwiBri, 13 September 2018 - 07:10 PM.

[kiwiBri]

Waiting on AliExpress

 

I have parts on order from Aliexpress since Jan 2017. (Flasher bar etc)  Its annoying as its approaching past 2 months now for delivery. I've used Chinese companies form Ebay before and its usually 3-4 weeks at most. Anyone thinking of building a cab needs to factor in the AliExpress  delays or be prepared to pay more for faster delivery.

 

So, I decided to drill in the holes for the plunger mech and get back to wiring buttons this week.

 

Creating wire looms...

 

Coin door wiring going in.. 

 

Home made "3rth Hand"

 

Connectors for mounting to the resistor/fuse boards...

Edited by kiwiBri, 14 September 2018 - 12:47 AM.

[roar]

You can certainly grow old waiting on aliexpress but I've ordered more than 20 orders packages from their vendors and eventually the stuff shows up. I feel kind of guilty pointing you that way but my experience has been it will show up. It's the cost of doing things on the cheap I'm afraid.

I really like the Judge Dredd artwork, it would take something special for me to want to swap it.

[kiwiBri]

You can certainly grow old waiting on aliexpress but I've ordered more than 20 orders packages from their vendors and eventually the stuff shows up. I feel kind of guilty pointing you that way but my experience has been it will show up. It's the cost of doing things on the cheap I'm afraid.

I really like the Judge Dredd artwork, it would take something special for me to want to swap it.

 

No worries. I'll try and be patient. I did notice a few things from AliExpress appearing on Amazon, and they ship faster (3 weeks). Some items are even Amazon PRIME. Though, none of these are what I need. lol. 

 

Up close the cab art work is a bit rough. Some overspray of paint from previous owners fixing up parts of the cab and my own mistakes early on in the build.   I guess it's better artwork than what it could have been ie. "Popeye"   or a "Demolition Man" .

 

Maybe I'll just get a decal done for the speaker panel only. 

 

I did actually get around to testing the speakers in the cabinet. Man that leipai amp really powers the sub. The sub is like 1.5 on a scale of 1-10 and it's peak light is being lit. Speakers do a fine job, so happy with that. For a couple of the test tables I am using (TOTAN and STNG) I had to do the Coin door-Volume Adjust thing to equalize the cab sounds vs gameplay sounds. 

 

 

One other thing, I was going to add the "Launch Ball" button. I know a Lot of people put it under the plunger. I think I "may" be able to squeeze it in between the coin door and the plunger instead. .. will think about it..   

Edited by kiwiBri, 27 March 2017 - 03:47 PM.

[Onevox]

Did you rule out the pseudo launch ball, where you push in on the plunger?

[kiwiBri]

Did you rule out the pseudo launch ball, where you push in on the plunger?

 

 

Nope. I believe the plunger can act like a push button using the "ZB button" option or something  - where you press the plunger in , and then the ball launches..  BUT  I was thinking of putting a dedicated "Launch Ball" button. I know a Lot of people put it under the plunger. I think I "may" be able to squeeze it in between the coin door and the plunger instead... I dont want to just drill a hole for no reason so I will wait on parts I am waiting for and figure it out later.   

When testing, I'm getting good at playing using the cursor keys on my Keyoard

[kiwiBri]

So, progress halted due to parts. Waiting on AliExpress and also I have to look at molex connectors and I think I may have to swap out my flipper buttons/switches.. :-\