Donkey Kong Back Door "Vent"

paulliadis

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 18, 2010
Messages
1,715
Reaction score
65
Location
Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
Before anybody flays me, I did a search here and didn't find a definitive answer.

Okay. I'm finally finishing up the back door on my Donkey Kong Jr. cabinet. Got the plywood painted, etc. What's left is to cut out a hole for the vent/box thingy at the bottom of the cabinet.

First of all, is this really needed? I know there are vents at the top of the cab. Why one here too? Power supply?

Second, does anybody know the purpose of the "box" part around this vent? I planned on just cutting a hole and covering it with a screen.

Finally, and most importantly. Does anybody know how high up the vent is located and how tall and wide it is? I can't find this anywhere.

Thanks in advance.
 
the vent hole is 4 1/16 up from the very bottom (counting the lip on the bottom) and the vent is centered in the door. The opening is 1 15/16" tall by 13 25/32" wide. The corners are 1/4 Round.
 
the vent hole is 4 1/16 up from the very bottom (counting the lip on the bottom) and the vent is centered in the door. The opening is 1 15/16" tall by 13 25/32" wide. The corners are 1/4 Round.

But that's just a ballpark estimate ;)
 
it's a vent. The wood on the inside is there so it's not simply a big hole that people could stick their hand into. I don't think Nintendo games run very hot so the vent is not likely a necessity.
 
it's a vent. The wood on the inside is there so it's not simply a big hole that people could stick their hand into. I don't think Nintendo games run very hot so the vent is not likely a necessity.

Yeah, I stuck my hand in my Donkey Kong's back door and I thought it would be really hot but it was more just stale and smelly. Not sure what was up with that.
 
Vent Cover?

I'm done with the cutout. One more question.

Should I cover the opening with anything? It seems from pictures back in the day the opening isn't covered. There is that box thing there however. I'm not going to build that box thing.

So, what would you do? Would you cover the opening. I've thought of using aluminum screen (like from a screen door). Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.
 
I'm done with the cutout. One more question.

Should I cover the opening with anything? It seems from pictures back in the day the opening isn't covered. There is that box thing there however. I'm not going to build that box thing.

So, what would you do? Would you cover the opening. I've thought of using aluminum screen (like from a screen door). Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Why are you trying to modify it? Just recreate what the factory did. I made one of these for a DKJR once as mine was missing. Piece of cake. And yes in addition to air flow, it also functions as a cord cove, as Nintendos didn't allow you to put the cord inside the game very easily through the back door. Handy when you need to lay the machine on it's back fro transport.
 
Why am I trying to modify it? Laziness, I guess. Also, I don't have one to look at other than pictures, so it's a bit difficult for me to see what I need to build. (right now I'm working off of these images: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=81443.0)

The "cord cove". Do you know roughly the dimensions it should be? Or just a bit bigger than the opening it's behind and not too "tall/thick" that it bumps into the power supply?
 
Why am I trying to modify it? Laziness, I guess. Also, I don't have one to look at other than pictures, so it's a bit difficult for me to see what I need to build. (right now I'm working off of these images: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=81443.0)

The "cord cove". Do you know roughly the dimensions it should be? Or just a bit bigger than the opening it's behind and not too "tall/thick" that it bumps into the power supply?

I can let you know when I get home. I thought I had documented this in a thread somewhere years back, but it may be that I was drunk at the time and forgot to click "Submit Reply" to my own restoration thread.
 
The most likely reason for the vent at the bottom and top, is to let cool air flow in the bottom and warm air out the top vent. Natural thermodynamics.
The same principle is used on your house, that's why there are holes in your soffit and vents at the top of the roof.
 
You might want to cover the vent with some kind of mesh if it's going to be stored in a garage or basement. Discourages the rodents.
 
Back
Top Bottom