Hi Guys,
I recently finally finished this project and wanted to show it off / answer questions if any other newbs are thinking of making a cab.
I was able to score a 4 player Xmen cab a few years ago with the intent of restoring it to a dedicated cab.
I rebuilt a 27" arcade monitor and built a new control panel. Then when test fitting the monitor, I necked the tube. That sucked really bad and deflated my ambition for a while.
Got another arcade monitor, replaced the caps and flyback again. Couldn't get it to sync and ended up selling it on here.
Then I found a FB marketplace post for a 27" flatscreen crt tv for free (just had to haul it away). So I stripped that, modified to brackets and cab and shoved that in there.
After having trouble sourcing a board, I decided on making a multi-cab instead.
Got some USB encoders, buttons, and a Pi5. I had rebuilt the coin mechs so I then rewired them into the encoders and swapped the bulbs for LEDs so everything was happy on 5v.
I originally started building my own UI and sourcing ROMs myself, but was not happy with it. Linux is not my forte, so I ended up going through Etsy to source a SD card with everything I needed.
The Pi5 can natively do a 640x480 output. Put an HDMI to RCA convertor on it.
Put in speakers and an after market amp as well as new marquee lamp.
The arcade monitor bracket blocked access to the tv's RCA inputs, so I mounted the board that has the front inputs and buttons to the inside of the cab and wired to that.
I also added the IR receiver there as well. I velcroed the tv remote inside the control panel.
Everything is plugged into a power strip that I wired to a switch on the back of the cab. So when I turn it on it all powers on without me needing to turn on the tv or Pi.
It is very seamless and I am super happy with it.
An awesome member of this group donated a 27" monitor surround, so I trimmed that to fit.
Installed a latch to keep the control panel closed.
I made the control panel art. Since it is a Konami cab and the art on one side it pretty badly deteriorated, I will eventually put a TMNT side art on it. Might make a split marquee as well.
Overall I am super happy with it and am so grateful for all the help and guidance I had over the last few years while I fumbled through this. You guys were an amazing resource.
Turning a 25" Konami cab to fit a 27" bracket and TV was a bit of a chore and some trial and error, but now that it is in I think it worked out well.
Now I have a cab with tons of games! Next it working on getting light guns working. I have a pair for the PS2, and found some convertors to USB for them, but it doesn't look like there are any drivers for the Pi that I can find.
Anyone have any info or leads?
I can always do Sinden guns, but since I already have the Time Crisis PS2 guns, I would like to try to make them work.
My daughter has been loving it and has already beat a couple games. It fun to keep track of how many quarters it takes. No wonder I never finished the games as I kid lol.