131 replies to this topic

[Tesla]

Looks like video embedding only supports junk like Youtube; but lookie:

 

This is the coin accepter powered by a lipo attached to an opto coupler powered from 5V using two LEDs as a voltage divider to drop to around 2.6V for the 3V opto. all grounds tied together.

The other side of the opto is connected between +5V and 'button' on the EG Start button dingle.

This then connected to usb on my laptop running: 

jstest --event /dev/input/js0 | grep "number 0"

Which only looks at events from the button I'm interested in.

 

https://cat.scot/coi...ceptor_test.mov is the result.

 

Drop 10p in the slot and I see a button press in software.

If I can work out a rational way to solder this mess up I should have genuine coin-op.

 

I watched the video, yes, pretty-cool. I get it ... if you are going to have an authentic coin-door you want it to operate like a real one (like the one at the bar). 

 

So, they make these little hole-thru-solder project PCBs. So you don't have to solder every little connection. You can have headers. I put mine in inexpensive plastic boxes. I would also suggest drawing on a piece of paper ... the schematic or at least a block-diagram. That should help for a cleaner final build of the interface.

 

Since you like this kind of stuff ... I predict you are gonna like setting-up SSF, Pinscape buttons, Nudge, and DOF (lights and toys).

 

However, I suggest you brain-storm and write-down all these cool ideas. Save them for later. Ask yourself if they need to be done now or can they just be an upgrade later.

 

Make another list of things that need to get done so that you can call your cabinet "Version 1.0". Like where you can walk-up to it and just play it ( not work-on or even tinker). Just a suggestion, but maybe work on that "harder" list of things that contribute to that more primary-goal. Cross them off as you complete them, and keep that list until they are mostly done and you make a new list.

Edited by Tesla, 21 November 2025 - 04:04 PM.

[pinballwitch]

took an angle grinder to the pc 'case' (because the jigsaw i tried to use was being crap and kept dropping the jiggly toothy thingy out) and then went at it with a hammer with it in a vise between two bits of angle iron. I bet you can't tell where it was being hit even... lol

 

 

Look though, loads of room for the sub now, port points back, plugs point forwards. could be flipped if ports backwards is better, we'll see.

 

 

Headroom looks more or less sensible though.

 

It's really fun being able to take photos through the coin door

 

Thinking about using a resister voltage divider for the 2V rather than blinky diodes, but I dunno.

[pinballwitch]

Since you like this kind of stuff ... I predict you are gonna like setting-up SSF, Pinscape buttons, Nudge, and DOF (lights and toys).

 

However, I suggest you brain-storm and write-down all these cool ideas. Save them for later. Ask yourself if they need to be done now or can they just be an upgrade later.

 

Make another list of things that need to get done so that you can call your cabinet "Version 1.0". Like where you can walk-up to it and just play it ( not work-on or even tinker). Just a suggestion, but maybe work on that "harder" list of things that contribute to that more primary-goal. Cross them off as you complete them, and keep that list until they are mostly done and you make a new list.

 

 

YES YES YES YES YES. I couldn't agree with you more. I'm a nightmare for enjoying the building more than the having of things. I need to get this thing reliably playable and enjoy it for a bit. 

I've got a PSU on the way for some DOF but that stuff needs to go on the backburner, it looks complicated anyway. Lockdown and top glass are the real mission so that I can close the thing up, sort the software and PLAY some pinball. The giggle I felt when the power came on for the multiball is the whole POINT of this thing.

 

[Tesla]

1. YES YES YES YES YES. I couldn't agree with you more.

 

2. I'm a nightmare for enjoying the building more than the having of things.  

 

3. I've got a PSU on the way for some DOF but that stuff needs to go on the backburner, it looks complicated anyway.

 

4. I need to get this thing reliably playable and enjoy it for a bit. Lockdown and top glass are the real mission so that I can close the thing up, sort the software and PLAY some pinball.

 

5. The giggle I felt when the power came on for the multiball is the whole POINT of this thing.

 

 

 

1. Cool. I almost went back and deleted it because after I read-it-back to myself, it sounded a bit too presumptuous. 

 

2. Like me and my drones. I think I like building and programming them more than piloting them. Software-Dev was cool, but I never stopped liking to plan, design, and building nice/loaded computers (but on a reasonable budget as I'm not rich).

 

3. Yeah, it is. Smart to leave it for later. You have to have everything else already working anyway.

 

4. Agreed

 

5. I think that might be the fuel that keeps most of us trying to go forward with this project.

Edited by Tesla, 21 November 2025 - 07:34 PM.

[pinballwitch]

 

So, they make these little hole-thru-solder project PCBs. So you don't have to solder every little connection. 

 

 

I guess they kind of work like this stuff I do when I'm building tiny tube amps?

[Tesla]

Hey, that looks good. You built-that? From a kit or just a schematic?

 

Yeah, something like that. I think they are common but I'm just now discovering them. From the top, it could look similar to a custom PCB, and everything is soldered-in (hole-thru) real-nice and fairly permanent. They also make some slightly bigger ones, with the main-voltage rails down the sides.

Edited by Tesla, 22 November 2025 - 06:19 AM.

[pinballwitch]

Well I stuffed all the bits on a bit a strip board and shoved it into the box and:

https://cat.scot/coi...ceptor_prod.mov

I wonder if I can disable the coin insert sound on this table, but keep the shriek :/ 

 

I had some fluffed button config so that start was also adding a credit but I've fixed that and there's still a bit of unexpected credit getting in and I'm not sure where.

Also the button I have rigged up for 'exit' works to exit a table, but can't exit pinup popper... it's just configured the same as 'escape' on the keyboard which is what I have to use to escape so that's weird. Maybe I need to do some more magic with grounds, or chase down what the hell I've managed to do with my config, sigh.

 

Also I'd hoped there might be a button I could press somewhere to delete all current credits but I can't find any mention of that possibility. Annoyingly the games are remembering how many credits are in them even between reboots so it must be going somewhere deep in the vpx file or something.

 

Still I played a few games of Addams Family and a few of 007 till my feet got too cold.

[Tesla]

Popped into a bar on the way to the station on the way from from the office and I seem to have a reason to go to the office at all now!

 

 

£1 for three balls or £2 for nine, so they say. That's sure something to do whilst waiting for a train.

 

best thing.... someone had left a quid IN it so I got a free go.

 

An actual machine in the bar ... this pic is excellent contribution to the forum, thanks ... 

 

AFAICT, not even IPDB.org shows this ... many extra Toys are in-place on a production-machine. I can see that the full Bear-rug and Uncle Fester (sitting in chair) 

 

Temporarily turn-off "Force Exclusive Full-Screen-Mode" and then press F6 in-game to get the cool extra options menu (I'm running G5k's version).

[pinballwitch]

Made a wee bracket, put a bend in it to stiffen it and riveted it to the door. Can't ACTUALLY close it yet because the paint is soft. Not that I don't think it won't wear off from the switch, but the less this rusts the better.

 

 

I'll wire the other end into the button unit at some point

[rickh]

Oh! you might need to make a steeper chamfer on that switch shaft. 

[pinballwitch]

Maybe, but the switch seems to work fine.

 

Sorry about the lack of updates, I accidentally bought some solar panels and a laser cutter so I couldn't even REACH the pinball machine. 
I need to get the panels on a roof before I can get back to any more stuff on this.

 

I'm still overthinking the lockdown situation which needs resolving before top glass.

I have one more week of paid work before i have a couple of weeks holiday, so maybe something will get decided/done then.

[rickh]

I don't know why they turn these photos upside-down, but below is what I use for my lockbar.  I could have easily made these out of SS or Aluminum, but I thought that the oak was a bit more tasteful. 

 

 

Rick