Are Jamma Switchers Safe?

Cubesmith

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I've searched and read a lot on jamma switchers lately. I hear people say this ones cheap, that ones good, whatever. Nobody says if this is a problem for the boards or not.

I'm planning on most of my, non dedicated, cabs to have switchers of some sort. I have several, from various mfr's and the all work. My question is can they damage my boards?

Some of my boards are very expensive and I'm concerned.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Chris
 
depending on which on you get.

The one I have off of jammaboards is completely safe. The problem is... getting one that works is the key. Getting a bad one that doesn't have all the ports working, lLike mine that only had 5/6 work. 2nd port went out, had it sent in and fixed. Still came back with problems.

First and foremost it doesn't power any PCB until you press said button. (there are 6 on a wireless remote) When you turn on your arcade cab. You then press what ever button you want for the said game. It will then power that board and that board only. You can't run all 6, 3, 2, just 1 board at a time. When you want to switch games, you press any one of the other 5 buttons and it will cut off power to the previous board and start the new game board. turn the cab off, and it shuts everything off. (there isn't an off button for the switcher)

The other multi-jammas I have no idea.
 
The other multi-jammas I have no idea.

Isn't there also a preferred one for multi-MK projects? I have no experience, but from lurking the topic there is one that everyone seems to use for this specifically. Just bringing it up since we're on the topic.
 
I have that same 6 in 1, as well as the 2 in 1 on jammaboards. The 2 -1 I understand does keep both boards powered, same as clays, and clays seems very popular.

So does it matter if all the boards are powered at once?
 
Isn't there also a preferred one for multi-MK projects? I have no experience, but from lurking the topic there is one that everyone seems to use for this specifically. Just bringing it up since we're on the topic.

Yes your right. It happens to be the same exact one I'm talking about. When they first came out, they seemed to have no problems. YourMKsourceMan used a few in his videos along with a couple of others for their Multi MK cabs. Seeing this, I wanted to do a Tekken version. However... Now as of late, me and a few others on here had got burnt on the newer models that are made with cheap china made parts. The earlier ones are safe and great for multi uses.
 
Oh there was a Clay's multi jamma. It's in the multi-jamma thread somewhere.
They said it was more sturdier and not made with cheap parts. But seemed to be issues with that as well.
 
I have that same 6 in 1, as well as the 2 in 1 on jammaboards. The 2 -1 I understand does keep both boards powered, same as clays, and clays seems very popular.

So does it matter if all the boards are powered at once?

Yeah I've been hearing many people claim that Clays was a better choice. But that same question was asked too in the other thread as I recall.

That is a good question. Doesn't sound good to me. Sounds like a waste of electricity, cause of more heat in your cab, and ware and tare on a game you're not even playing.
Even all NEO GEO carts are not ran at the same time.
 
My 6-1 was purchased about 2 years ago, so I think I got an early one. I've read the MK thread about it and understand the -5v issues. So that one should be the safest?

I'd still like a reason as to why the "always on" ones are less prefered.
 
Sounds like a waste of electricity, cause of more heat in your cab, and ware and tare on a game you're not even playing.
Even all NEO GEO carts are not ran at the same time.

Those are perfectly legit, and I ususally don't leave cabs running too long. So if it's just time based ware one a running pcb, I'm not too worried. I more concerned as to weather a cheap one can actually damage a board.
 
Correct me if I am wrong. But all the -5v issue was is to fix the sound problem that the MK boards were having, otherwise harmless. Midway boards were funny like that.

If all your ports still work, and never went out on you. Then I think you're golden. 2 years sounds about the time when many started Multi MKing their cabs. Me and a few others must of waited too long and got the crap Chinese left overs.

The one thing that I would worry about also with all games left on. Wouldn't it overload something?
 
I'm not sure about the MK issues specifically, I just recall that the switcher wasn't wired with -5v. So if your boards required it you had to jumper it to each slot.

At any rate, it seems I'll keep my more pricey boards on this one. I've got other lesser boards I'll throw to the others. :)
 
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