Freeplay button for a Pole Position cockpit

Phetishboy

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Where would be the best place to put it? I hate the freeplay setting on PP as putting it on freeplay also puts it on a continuous autostart cycle. This game is easily the most played at my parties, and I always have to show everyone where to flick the coin switch. As I am tired of crouching down near my guests' crotches to flick the switch for them, I am installing a lighted freeplay button. I thought of the lock hole on the coindoor, but then the switch assembly is to close to the door jamb, causing the door not to close. I don't really wanna drill into the wood panel either. Ideas? Has anyone done this?
 
You could always snake a little switch out of the coin return chute. It may not be 100% optimal, but it works and is discreet.
 
You could always snake a little switch out of the coin return chute. It may not be 100% optimal, but it works and is discreet.

This is a full sized, 10,000 megawatt LED illuminated pushbutton. Nothing discrete about it no matter where it is snaked out of. BTB, I've tried the 'snaked out the coin chute' routine and it buh-lows. Kids try to rip it off every chance they get, and anytime the terminals short across the metal coin-flap it coins up again and again.
 
Just brainstorming so maybe this would be easy and maybe it wouldn't, but what about removing the translucent coin reject button and rigging a lighted button in its place? Might need a plastic or metal plate in the front and/or back to get it to mount securely but if that can be made to work, what would be more straightforward for your guests than to push a button where you would otherwise drop the coin?
 
Just brainstorming so maybe this would be easy and maybe it wouldn't, but what about removing the translucent coin reject button and rigging a lighted button in its place? Might need a plastic or metal plate in the front and/or back to get it to mount securely but if that can be made to work, what would be more straightforward for your guests than to push a button where you would otherwise drop the coin?

That might work with a bit of custom fab work. Black plastic sheet cut to size with a hole drilled thru the center of it. Remove the coin mech and mounting assembly, which should give enough clearance for the button assembly. Hmmmmm.
 
That's an over/under style coin door, right? How about you just mount your credit button inside the coin box door. You can leave it open when you have guests, and the rest of the time you can leave it closed.
 
I am a fan of mounting a mechanical switch behind the coin reject buttons. The reject buttons are already illuminated, and it requires no modification to the outside of the coindoor. I can usually get away with using existing holes on the inside to mount the switch.
I've done it on a couple of my games that do not have free play, and simply tell my guests to press the coin reject button for credits.
 
I am a fan of mounting a mechanical switch behind the coin reject buttons. The reject buttons are already illuminated, and it requires no modification to the outside of the coindoor. I can usually get away with using existing holes on the inside to mount the switch.
I've done it on a couple of my games that do not have free play, and simply tell my guests to press the coin reject button for credits.

I agree with this!!
 
I got tired of either setting free play or rigging up switches while not drilling holes all over the place. And yeah, I tried the through the coin return route. I wrapped the switch contacts in tape to keep them from shorting.

I eventually went back to quarters. At first I left a bowl of them on the counter. I was luckey in that I came across a small changer. One of the types with the push in drawer. A quick search of the manual found the wires to short to force a vend. I just relocated them to a microswithc already mounted in the drawer assembly. Walk up, push in the drawer...4 quarters. Even if it were a newer kind with a tractor I could have put standard, even a lit, button in the face of the unit wired to force a vend.

No switches, no token mechs, no modified meches, etc... Quarter wise, well I am one of those that never spends change. It all goes in a jug. Every 18-24 months I cash it out. I just raided the jug for a seed set of quarters. After that I just split the quarters between the jug and the game "bank" to collect some more. If they build up on the game side I grab a handful and toss them in the jug.
 
Hmmm.... this is a little difficult indeed. Maybe you should just consider going the quarters or tokens route like the poster above me suggested. That is what I do, no modifications are necessary, and it is just plain-out cool to drop a quarter into an arcade machine. Those are 3 good reasons right there why you should try using quarters! :D
 
Leave it as is.Just tell all guests that the quarters help fund new game acquisitions and current game maintenance.And only allow free play for the the lovely ladies.I feel that the complaints about crouching down near the crotch would magically disappear. :D
 
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... As I am tired of crouching down near my guests' crotches to flick the switch for them, ...

...am I the only one that doesn't believe this part of his story?

I also vote wiring the coin return buttons to activate credits. Only downside being wear and tear...
 
I'm not sure on the cockpit models, but I mounted a credit button tucked away next to the gas pedal on my upright. Its out of sight, not damaging any of the front of the machine and the game still works on quarters if you don't tell anyone the switch is there. When you are playing and the game ends, just tap the button with your foot and the credit is loaded.. I used a regular game button and mounted it in the pedal panel....
 
I am a fan of mounting a mechanical switch behind the coin reject buttons. The reject buttons are already illuminated, and it requires no modification to the outside of the coindoor. I can usually get away with using existing holes on the inside to mount the switch.
I've done it on a couple of my games that do not have free play, and simply tell my guests to press the coin reject button for credits.


This is what I use to add free play to games.
Simple solution. Reject button becomes credit switch and you can still use coins if you wish.
 

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The Pole Position cockpit just uses a standard over/under coin door, right? Just find a spare lower vault door from a scrap cabinet, drill a hole in the center, and mount the pushbutton there. Then you can store your original coin vault door inside the cabinet somewhere, should you want to swap it back. Clean, solid installation with an easy way to undo the mod.

-Ian
 
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