PCB question.

[King Atari]

I'm new to the whole PCB thing, so excuse for sounding like an idiot (which I tend to do whether I'm trying or not). I'm definitely going to buy me an arcade PCB (just figuring out which one), and I need to know: Do these things 'deteriorate' over time? I mean, is bit rot a problem with them? Also, will overplaying ruin them?

[goatdan]

quote

I'm definitely going to buy me an arcade PCB (just figuring out which one), and I need to know: Do these things 'deteriorate' over time? I mean, is bit rot a problem with them? Also, will overplaying ruin them?

 

You don't sound like an idiot at all. If you got one without knowing anything about it, then you would be an idiot

 

Anyway, to attempt to answer your questions, first of all do you have an arcade machine that you would be putting the board into? If not, might I suggest going to a Super Auctions auction if at all possible. Even if you don't go to bid on a game, familiarize yourself with the games, their god-awful size and all that stuff. You probably don't want to be getting yourself an arcade PCB without a game to put it in, as it will only sit around and look pretty otherwise.

 

If you are getting a machine, I would suggest getting a JAMMA machines to start with. JAMMA PCB boards are interchangable and there are a ton of them for pretty cheap. Non-JAMMA games tend to be more expensive, as their insides are not as easily repairable.

 

To answer your questions: Yes, game PCBs do deterioate over time as anything does. Most of these PCBs were made as cheaply as possible and some of them will die out. Luckily, they can be fixed in most cases.

 

Playing the game a lot will deterioate the board quicker, but not playing the board basically renders it useless (why would you buy one to look at?)

 

Basically though, board deterioation isn't a big problem and it shouldn't stop you from purchasing a board or a machine if you want to. Only space restrictions, moving restrictions and repair knowledge should. And you can always learn with the knowledge!

[goatdan]

quote

I was actually going to try to build a cabinet, as it would be easier than buying a whole machine, and worrying about shipping etc. I was going to get a JAMMA Double Dragon board, as DD is my favorite game. As mentioned in my classic gamng post, there's a guy on ebay with his hooked up to a TV, so I was probably going to do that to start with, and work on the cabinet when I have a lot of free time (mostly in the summer).

 

Take this as you will, but if you live anywhere close to a place where Super Auctions will be visiting, I would suggest a million times over picking up a cab there first, even if it isn't Double Dragon. The biggest reason is that the parts for an arcade machine are expensive.

 

A good monitor will set you back about $295. A JAMMA wiring harness costs around $25. Two joysticks and 10 buttons costs around $50. A good speaker costs $10+. A power supply costs $40.

 

Buying your own working cab with a great monitor at the auctions in Milwaukee costs $50-$100, depending on if you want a single player cabinet or a two player cabinet.

 

If you are going to build your own, I would suggest purchasing a real one with a monitor that works, and then disassembling it and putting it back together in a new cab. I recently stole an auction where I picked up a working Bad Dudes cab with monitor and such in the non-working games for $5.00. It has a problem with the monitor not getting the images, but I'm sure once I actually have time to sit down and repair it, it'll be fine.

 

Of course, I might not be the best person to talk to about this because I've been working on modifying my two cabs and now it seems that I killed my working one too

[King Atari]

I was actually going to try to build a cabinet, as it would be easier than buying a whole machine, and worrying about shipping etc. I was going to get a JAMMA Double Dragon board, as DD is my favorite game. As mentioned in my classic gamng post, there's a guy on ebay with his hooked up to a TV, so I was probably going to do that to start with, and work on the cabinet when I have a lot of free time (mostly in the summer).

 

I figured they would deteriorate over time, and also if they're played a lot, but if it's going to happen anyways, why not enjoy them?

 

Space restriction is another reason why I was going to build my own cabinet, as I could make one as big as I wanted, or as small as I wanted, or sinmply just hook it up to the TV. Space isn't the problem, though, so much as trying to figure out about getting good joysticks w/buttons, getting the appropriate wires, and so on.

 

Thanks for all your help, this is my first venture into actually owning a coin-op.

[King Atari]

Yikes! I might be saving up awhile! I might not get a PCB just yet, want to make sure I have all the parts/money so I can get right to playing.

 

$5 for a BD cabinet, not bad!

[goatdan]

quote

Yikes! I might be saving up awhile! I might not get a PCB just yet, want to make sure I have all the parts/money so I can get right to playing.

 

Again, if you live anywhere near a Super Auctions auction city, check them out first. If not, might I suggest the HAPP Controls Web site as they have the best prices and best customer service on the Web. Another good priced vendor is WICO The Source, but I haven't ever used them so I can't comment much.

 

The CEC that I work at swears by HAPP, and so does the GOAT Store for our JAMMA Joysticks.

 

quote

$5 for a BD cabinet, not bad!

 

Yeah! I was extremely happy about it! I had a bad power supply (which I had one from another game that I tossed in there) and that was about it. For some reason, the screen doesn't get the game signal, but I've gotten the screen to work from my other arcade game, so when I have some time to sit down and fix it, I'll have really gotten one hell of a deal!

[NE146]

quote

this is my first venture into actually owning a coin-op.  

 

I don't know if you seen this before but there's some great info in regards to buying coin-ops in the following set of faq's:

http://www.gamearchive.com/video/faq/

 

Check out the Operator Buying FAQ and Game Buying FAQ.. good reading

[King Atari]

quote

so when I have some time to sit down and fix it, I'll have really gotten one hell of a deal!  

 

Yeah, but even if you couldn't fix it, you could have it sit around and look cool!

 

Thanks for FAQs NE146.

[Dav]

quote:

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Originally posted by King Atari:

I was actually going to try to build a cabinet, as it would be easier than buying a whole machine, and worrying about shipping etc. I was going to get a JAMMA Double Dragon board, as DD is my favorite game. As mentioned in my classic gamng post, there's a guy on ebay with his hooked up to a TV, so I was probably going to do that to start with, and work on the cabinet when I have a lot of free time (mostly in the summer).

 

I figured they would deteriorate over time, and also if they're played a lot, but if it's going to happen anyways, why not enjoy them?

 

Space restriction is another reason why I was going to build my own cabinet, as I could make one as big as I wanted, or as small as I wanted, or sinmply just hook it up to the TV. Space isn't the problem, though, so much as trying to figure out about getting good joysticks w/buttons, getting the appropriate wires, and so on.

 

Thanks for all your help, this is my first venture into actually owning a coin-op.

---

 

 

If space is a problem you should look into a nova/super gun system. It's a box with controlers and an adapter to use a tv for a monitor. There used to be plans for building one on the net but I don't remember where. But as he said, a generic jamma cab would be much cheaper and easier.