Electrocoin Vegas Strip to MFME project.

[slotsmagic]

Ok, this is ridiculously early days. But I figured I'd at least show my intention.

So I've stripped the working parts from the machine (Quixant PC - already sold - NV9+ USB notey, SR5 coin validator and an Azkoyen hopper, albeit too modern I believe for MFME).

What I've also done while at it is broken Go For Gold for parts. As nice as Go For Gold was as a curiosity, it was bought relatively cheaply as faulty, and just happened to have the correct coin validator (126DFX) and hopper (Azkoyen parallel) that others seem to be using in MFME cabs. So in some ways, even though it's died, it's donated some organs... OK that's a bit grim. But at least it served a purpose.

The intention is to run MFME with coins in and out using the existing metalwork, hopefully negating the need for any DIY bodging. In good news the hopper from the Go For Gold is set up in exactly the same way as the one from Vegas Strip - ejects coins in the same position, and even fits onto the existing bracket. So again, no need to 'bodge' the hopper to make it fit!! 

In other news, the 126DFX is just a teeny bit tall for the existing metalwork - so I'll either need to make a small alteration to the metalwork, or trim a bit of plastic from the top of the 126.

Existing buttons are all fine. I do have the buttons and decals from Go For Gold if I fancy a more 'Concept specific' decal collection but I'm not too fussed. The original Electrocoin ones look quite nice.

As I said very, very early days. Barely even started actually. But I hope that by putting this thread up I'll give myself a bit of a kick up the arse to actually crack on with it as a New Year's project!

 

Aim is to run a bunch of Concept ROMs (and possibly other lo-techs), it'll be my dedicated 'simple slots' machine, leaving the cab I got from No1Stoney and the Interplay (which I'll also do some more work on) for pub fruits and the like.

https://youtu.be/qn7DiaiX34w?si=ZiBafk9So7_pum3F

Edited December 27, 2023 by slotsmagic

[Ze Frog]

Should be an interesting build to follow, plan on doing my own at some point in time.

[slotsmagic]

48 minutes ago, Ze Frog said:

Should be an interesting build to follow, plan on doing my own at some point in time.

It should be easy in some ways - if the metalwork is all compatible e.t.c. then that's good!

Very early days though. I need to put together a shopping list next. I've got a spare PC which should do the job, but need to order the applicable iPac and PacDrive units. I'll do some more research later on how others have wired theirs up to see if I can get away with a single PacDrive (remembering to order the 'special' one for hoppers!) or if it's worth running two.

 

(edit) here's a random one, the original SR5 says that it works in Parallel mode. I wonder if it might be possible to use the original SR5 mech then? Not sure if it has different pinouts to the 126DFx (probably has), but at least it would fit without needing to chop bits off

Edited December 27, 2023 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

... Ordered various bits to get me started - 

PACdrive (ID1 'Special')

iPAC 2

10 x 5V 10mm wedge LEDs (the cab already has LED buttons but not sure if they are 12V or 5V!)

30m of 20AWG red and 30m of 20AWG black. I used 22AWG in the past and it was a bit thin!

Bunch of cable / wire labels and a marker pen.

 

... still more bits that I'll order as I remember them. I've never been one to have a proper plan. I tend to jump in and cross my fingers. Note to others - for god's sake don't follow my example!!

I'll be trying to work out which PSUs I need for the screens next. Might just try random ones I have from other machines and hope nothing explodes!

 

[Ginge]

On 27/12/2023 at 16:40, slotsmagic said:

edit) here's a random one, the original SR5 says that it works in Parallel mode. I wonder if it might be possible to use the original SR5 mech then? Not sure if it has different pinouts to the 126DFx (probably has), but at least it would fit without needing to chop bits off

I think the pin out are the same I have a few machines like crazy fruits/line dancer where you can either use 126dfx or sr5/c435 only thing different is the routing plug and 9way plug. Bfm attached in the machines the routing plug and the 9way diverter so you could use both types. But the 17way plug would fit both mecks.

[slotsmagic]

5 hours ago, Ginge said:

I think the pin out are the same I have a few machines like crazy fruits/line dancer where you can either use 126dfx or sr5/c435 only thing different is the routing plug and 9way plug. Bfm attached in the machines the routing plug and the 9way diverter so you could use both types. But the 17way plug would fit both mecks.

Brilliant, thanks!

Just remembered something else I need to order. An amplifier lol. Going to do the same as the Interplay - use the original cabinet speakers running off an amplifier. 

I'm back at work until Sun, then off for 4. I guess it's possible some of the bits will have arrived before I'm back at work on the following Thursday. If not there's plenty of cabinet prep I can do. Needs a bloody good clean for a start, plus I may actually come up with a proper plan on my days off and remember the rest of the bits I should have ordered and forgot to do

Edited December 29, 2023 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

First packages of bits have arrived after the bank holiday!

Was happy with the Lepy amplifier in the Interplay so have gone with the same here, a 3.5mm to RCA cable to connect to the PC, a reasonable length of 20AWG (I found the 22AWG I used last time to be a bit too thin), some wire labels to keep things identifiable, a PacDrive 'Special' and an iPac.

I was going to look at a DuPont crimping kit... but what I think I'm going to do instead, since I can't see me using one much in the future, is I'm going to just butcher the existing connectors and looms, and use some Fago (fake Wago) connectors to link it all up

They are due to arrive tomorrow

Plenty of hurdles to overcome yet though. I found some PSUs that were capable of powering the monitors. However the bottom, touchscreen monitor is now helpfully only giving me a white screen. Not 'no signal', just a white screen. So possible the interface board has died between the machine stopping working and now? To narrow it down I'll try swapping interface board from the top monitor.

Another, simpler (in some regards) option would be to modify the top door to fit a single portrait mode screen. That would make my life a lot easier in terms of layout compatibility, and the fact I'd only need to drive a single video output. I don't require touch screen functionality in this cabinet as it's going to be purely for lo-techs and I can probably just use the bottom gameplay buttons to navigate a simple menu

But also would introduce more issues - like how to cut the metalwork to allow the fitment of a large single screen

PC shouldn't be any massive problem, I've got a couple of spare SFF units (Dell and HP) that I can happily lob inside. I may well keep the computer in the bottom of the machine this time and just keep the iPac, PacDrive and amplifier on inside rear of the cabinet for simplicity.

 

Edited January 2 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

Oooh, positive monitor update! I was measuring up for a replacement portrait mode screen and decided to try a DVI output from the T7 into the monitor I suspected was faulty.

Turns out the monitor is fine, even if it does display a white screen instead of 'no signal'. Not sure what's happened there.

Back to the original plan then of running dual screens. At least until one of these breaks. It looks like converting to a single screen wouldn't be the end of the world (a 27" in portrait mode would fit nicely with a couple of CM spare vertically and horizontally - but feel as I may as well use the original screens for the moment, keep it 'original', and doubt the current screens have much value.

 

 

 

(edit)

But now I keep thinking a single screen would be much easier, even though I'd have to make my own bracket / frame... I can see why people build cabinets from scratch now

 

 

 

Edited January 2 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

Well the plan was to get up nice and early to spend a full day on the cabinet, but I ended up getting a call from mum and have had to take her to A&E. The joys of being a carer for an aging parent! (Only joking really, obviously family comes first!).

While she's being seen and I'm sat in the waiting room I may as well post an update.

I've ordered a very basic, cheap and terrible GPU for the PC - a 1GB GT610. An old Fermi card. The PC only supports low profile graphics so I had a limited range of choice, and since it's only going to be running basic lo-techs with minimal lamping and two lower resolution screens (I believe they are only 1024x768 but they might be 1280x1024 at a stretch) it should be sufficient. The card has DVI, HDMI and VGA outputs, so I'll probably use DVI for the bottom screen and HDMI with  DVI adapter for the top. Pretty sure I've got HDMI to DVI adapters and cables somewhere. I'll have a quick look when back home... if not I guess I'd better order some

Positive is it the graphics card cost less than a tenner including postage, and I can always use it for testing other bits and bobs!

 

 

There's existing threads in the back of the cabinet where the PC was fitted via machine screws. My plan is (or was!) to either find some scrap wood in the garage, make a template of where the threads are on the cabinet, grab some MDF / chipboard or similar and mount the amplifier, iPac and PACdrive on that. So one wooden board with the devices mounted to it.

PC almost certainly going into the base of the cabinet rather than mounting at the back. The base has open air to the upper part of the cabinet so ventilation shouldn't be too bad. I've spare 14CM PC case fans I can use if need be.

Edited January 4 by slotsmagic

[Ginge]

Hope mum is ok and didn’t have to wait long in A&E, especially with the junior doctors on strike etc. looking forward to see some pics when you get started.

[slotsmagic]

4 hours ago, Ginge said:

Hope mum is ok and didn’t have to wait long in A&E, especially with the junior doctors on strike etc. looking forward to see some pics when you get started.

... Was in ED for 8 hours, which I never want to go through again! After that Mum got moved up to a ward, which is lovely and peaceful and she's got her own room and the staff are fantastic.

Prognosis looking potentially worse than expected, which is shit. But she's in the best place and hopefully her scans and whatnot will be good tomorrow. Although the consultant was honest and didn't want to give any false hope.

So yeah, shit day by all accounts. Back at work tomorrow and have forewarned them that my mind is elsewhere. I went to get petrol on the way home, filled the car up, got back in, started driving off and realised I'd forgotten something. Paying for the bastard fuel. Then grabbed a KFC and walked off without my drink. Was still there when I returned but surprising how worry can make you function like a complete idiot!

 

 

 

Back on the cabinet front, I'm working now til Sunday and have so much stuff on I can't see me getting anything done over the weekend. But at least I reckon I have almost all the stuff I need now!

Edited January 4 by slotsmagic

[wearecity]

So sorry to hear about your mum. As you say, the best place for her.

To me the most important person in the world, is my mum.

[vectra666]

Take care slots, hopefully she’ll get better and be back home soon 

[slotsmagic]

2 hours ago, wearecity said:

So sorry to hear about your mum. As you say, the best place for her.

To me the most important person in the world, is my mum.

 

2 hours ago, vectra666 said:

Take care slots, hopefully she’ll get better and be back home soon 

Cheers chaps. Waiting to hear updates now, she's just gone for her MRI scan and I'm just about to start work.

I changed my mind on the graphics card... I've ordered it and paid for it, but probably won't be using it. I got an AMD R7 250 for £15 that I plan on using instead. It's significantly more powerful. The GT610 may well have been enough but with running dual screens I just wasn't convinced, it's a pretty crap card

No other updates on cabinet yet and doubt there will be any until Monday

[davep180]

All the best to your mum. Look forward to any updates on the build when you get back to it.

[slotsmagic]

Picked mum up from hospital last night, so in-between work and that I've had bugger all free time. We are still awaiting biopsy and MRI results but at least she's back home and seems chipper.

Anyway, I've spent a few hours in the garage today. Taking a bit of a plodding approach with this, but achieving little bits is better than nothing.

All I've done today is remove the buttons, clean the button panel, replace the buttons, and have a look at the loom for buttons and lamps - checking continuity and labelling the wires ready for connection to iPac / PACdrive.

I'm pretty shocked - but it looks like I can use the existing loom for the microswitches and lamps! Probably because the base machine had so few lamps and switches - it doesn't seem to use any diodes on the loom itself.

Lucky really as I can't find my crimping set

Also fired up the PC I intend to use, with a fresh Windows 10 Pro installation. I've put the Radeon R7 250 graphics card in - only slight concern is the power draw. It doesn't use any additional power connectors - just getting power from the PCI-E socket itself - but it's got a 50W potential power usage. Doubt FME is that demanding mind. The PC has a 240W SFF power supply. Fingers crossed everything combined doesn't overload it

https://youtu.be/WhXUHyFIWFI?si=2R31kHu7NIsVnxEY

Edited January 8 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

Little update for today - have made myself a little plywood board for the back of the cabinet. I've used the original M4 threads that were in the back of the cabinet (they held the original Quixant PC in place) - that space is now used by my plywood I/O board

It'll handle buttons and coin inputs (iPAC) and lamp and hopper outputs (PACdrive), as well as hold my cute little Chinese amplifier.

Only small things are 

a) Don't have any M3 nuts in my big nut organiser. They are coming tomorrow (cheers Amazon!).

b) Can't find my ABS spacers, so as a bodge for now - obviously with no power connected - I've used lots of nuts and washers to act as spacers. Big 1000pc box of ABS spacers coming tomorrow. Once again, thanks to Amazon

Once they are here I'll tidy it up a bit, sand the edges I've cut, and I'm also debating whether to paint it black or just leave it plywood coloured. Black would look more professional, but plywood adds a bit of DIY charm

The big space between the iPac and PACdrive could possibly hold another board or device down the line if required. If not I'll probably stick an MFME logo there or something similar

 

Edited January 9 by slotsmagic

[Martinb]

All good stuff I have wanted to do an MFME cab for a while and bought some of the boards in prep but never got any further (yet), so is the Interplay better for conversion or this? I am curious based on your experiences. 

[slotsmagic]

6 minutes ago, Martinb said:

All good stuff I have wanted to do an MFME cab for a while and bought some of the boards in prep but never got any further (yet), so is the Interplay better for conversion or this? I am curious based on your experiences. 

The Interplay has a massive 32" portrait touchscreen and is a lovely, hefty machine. But I never fully completed mine, I'm going to revisit it after this conversion and finish it up. It does work fine - buttons and lamps, touchscreen works, speakers work, it's just I never finished coin entry, and if I revisit it I'd do that, and also relocate the PACdrive and iPAC to better positions

But for playing on... lovely big portrait mode means it does feel pretty amazing to play on

[slotsmagic]

No progress today. Have been struck down with super mega ultimate Man-flu. Hopefully it's better before my last couple of days at work. If not I'll leave them the option of me turning up (presenteeism?) or me having the weekend off sick. Haven't had a sick day since rejoining the business 13 months ago so not like I'm taking the proverbial.

But yes, getting knackered just walking around the house so the idea of trying to stay warm in the garage while aching a lot means I really don't feel like working on the cab. At least the spacers, nuts and the monitor PSU have arrived. So I reckon I should now have everything I need for when I next feel up to it.

Apart from possibly a DVI-HDMI cable. I have several of them somewhere, and adaptors rather than cables, but might just order a new cable to be safe since they aren't dear and if it's not needed now I can use it for another cabinet in the future.

[davep180]

Hope you feel better soon.

[slotsmagic]

5 hours ago, davep180 said:

Hope you feel better soon.

I hope so too. Bloody hate congestion. Especially when it involves sinuses. Urgh.

Day hasn't been a complete write off. I've been chilling and doing some research on cabinet stuff at the same time, specifically with regards to coin mech and hopper connections. Coin mech should be a doddle (I hope!) as I can use the old connector and wiring from the scrapped Go For Gold

Decided I would order a few more bits - a DuPont crimping kit with 1550 different connectors, and some Molex splitters. I'm hoping I can use the Molex splitters to give me a tidier connection for 12V components to the PSU.

I've always kinda fancied a proper crimping set for PC use, Amazon had a 'like new' one in the warehouse so have ordered that. If it turns out to be rubbish they can have it returned at their cost

Preciva brand, most of their other tools I've used have been pretty good to be honest - soldering station, multimeter and other crimping bits. 

Edited January 10 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

... And been back at A&E with mum since this morning. Plus Amazon cancelled my 'like new' crimping set as they couldn't find them. Which I think might be code for they found them and the box was either empty or smashed. Not really an issue as I can order a new one anyway, which would arrive with my 3m HDMI to DVI cable tomorrow anyway.

Assuming I get back in good time today I'm feeling a little better than yesterday but not 100%. Less tired and achy, less sore throat, just a load of congestion and my head is a bit fuzzy.

Annual leave from Monday so all being well I'll be able to spend plenty of time on it next week. Really just gagging to get some Concepts running. I need my bleepy bloopy Bar X fix

Edited January 11 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

Not much of an update, but since I'm on annual leave today I spent a few therapeutic hours on the cabinet after seeing mum in hospital and then making some tea**

Basically I've tidied up the 'bracket' that holds my iPAC, PACdrive and amplifier (refitted it all using spacers).

I've also been through the loom and removed all the unnecessary wires  making it a lot easier to work out what is what at a glance. Some of it will be replaced - so for example the monitors were powered originally from the machines single PSU. They'll now be running off independent 12V 5A PSUs.

Once that was done, I fitted all the wires that were checked for continuity earlier in the project, and connected them to the iPAC and PACdrive. So, although I haven't fitted the PC yet, I'm very confident that the buttons and button lamps are going to work fine.

I'm debating next steps for tomorrow in between my other things (probably another hospital visit or two) - I really ought to sort out mains to the inside of the cabinet. I may well just hang a 4 gang extension off one of the MDF brackets that held the original power supply before conversion. They are visible at the bottom left of the photo, just under the gas struts.

Might be a good shout, getting the cabinet powered with a PC temporarily fitted - will give me a chance to test layout scaling across both screens, test the buttons and lamps so far!

 

** Ordering a Chinese. 

(edit)

Hadn't realised until tonight but my fibre broadband is down this evening, hopefully I can get it sorted by tomorrow or I'll have to take a laptop to a WiFi hotspot to grab any necessary drivers! 

Edited January 14 by slotsmagic

[slotsmagic]

Well I discovered a few things today.

Firstly - make sure your computer will fit inside the machine you are building. Probably a good idea to do that first!

Also, make sure it has Molex power from the PSU! I'm not sure SATA power is going to be up to it.

... At this rate I think I might build my own little ITX or mATX based system specifically for this cabinet now!

 

I could potentially fit the originally intended PC against the upper back of the cabinet, but even then it's going to take a lot of work to mount it up there. Unless I just rip out the motherboard and mount it, and shove a standard ATX PSU somewhere nearby?

All I've done today is added an IEC power input to the back of the cabinet (from a scrapped skill game a while back) and mounted the 4 gang extension. Now, I've got a tidy option - cut and solder the existing extension cable to the IEC socket.

Or, I might just terminate the black cable coming from the IEC socket with a switched 1 gang outlet so I can turn all components on and off from within the machine. Might go with that option!

(another edit - now wondering if I might just butcher the PC cabinet, mount the motherboard on it's tray directly to the inside rear of the cabinet above the I/O plywood board? OK it'll look very amateurish but then again it's a solution. Only small issue would be keeping the PCI-E low profile graphics secure. Might be a job for a Dremel!!)

Edited January 15 by slotsmagic