Ultramame v2

Ultramame v2 is Complete!!!

2004-03-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

Next is software testing, I found some problems with DOS Mame not working with the mouse driver for the button 1 and 2. I might have to go with MameWah menu as you see in the picture.

Only time will tell. OH! the Track ball is a GREAT Feature.

Control Panel Takes Shape

2004-03-24T23:46:00.000-07:00

After the holes are cut and the components mounted.

Looks like a nice layout, if I don't say so myself.

Painting - Painting - Painting

2004-03-13T22:50:00.000-07:00

I purchased some plastic based rust paint 'flat black' for the control panel housing.

It goes on good, and tonight I finished the last coat.

Tomorrow I will start the planning of the wiring harness from between the main unit and the control panel.

Cheers.

Construction Begins

2004-03-04T23:51:00.000-07:00

A couple shots of the control panel, it fits real nice.

I also got my Control panel Layout plotted :)

2004-03-02T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a shot of my control panel layout. This is going to make drilling the button / joystick holes a piece of cake.

Tonight I start the rebuild of the Control panel enclosure.

2004-03-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

I first got my plan plotted and my idea was to use spray-on glue and then apply these plots. This way I don't have to worry about transfering my cp box dimensions over via pencil. Also Im constructing my CP with 1/2" plywood. I can't stand that MDF stuff.

Power Wiring complete and J-Pac + Opti-Pac Installed

2004-02-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Picture of the back of my cab, monitor installed, below that is the computer, then below that is the J-Pac + Opti-Pac and the power wiring.

Shown here is a close up on the J-Pac and Opti-Pac, some wiring to the buttons are not yet complete as I am waiting on a few molex connectors. Also Im not too sure about the Opti-pac, turns out DHL damaged it during my shipment and I am working with Andy at Ultimarc for a replacment. ( I had to solder a trace that was completly scratched off the board)

Shown here is a close up on the power wiring, I decided to include the old line filter back into the circuit (shown mid picture) I figure 'it won't hurt anything'.

WOOT! the Crazed package has arrived.

2004-02-26T22:41:00.000-07:00

I need to get some pictures of the box, squashed to shit.

Stay tuned.

Here is the last part of the tracking log :)

2004-02-25 14:00 With delivery courier
Vancouver - Canada
2004-02-25 10:00 With delivery courier
Vancouver - Canada
2004-02-25 09:12 Arrived at DHL facility
Vancouver - Canada
2004-02-25 07:35 Transferred through
Seattle - USA
2004-02-25 01:35 Transferred through Los Angeles
Los Angeles - USA
2004-02-24 18:24 Shipment arrived at wrong facility. Sent to correct destination
Los Angeles - USA
2004-02-24 11:27 Clearance processing complete
Los Angeles - USA
2004-02-24 10:19 Arrived at DHL facility
Los Angeles - USA

Holy Crap my Ultimarc shipment is moving again!!

2004-02-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

Check this bull crap out. - Never I repeat NEVER use DHL to ship from London England to Canada, they think Canada is in Australia!!

Here is my tracking log direct from the DHL tracking site :(

Read from bottom to top :)

Feb 24 08:00 Departed from DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 23 14:45 Clearance processing complete
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 23 09:56 Shipment arrived at wrong facility. Sent to correct destination
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 22 18:09 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 21 18:20 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 20 22:59 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 19 23:06 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 18 19:42 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 17 22:04 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 16 22:01 Clearance delay
Melbourne - Australia

LOOK YOU MORONS ITS IN CANADA!!!!!!

Feb 16 10:15 Shipment arrived at wrong facility. Sent to correct destination
Vancouver - Canada

Feb 14 03:10 Arrived at DHL facility
Cincinnati - USA
Feb 13 21:48 Departed from DHL facility
Los Angeles- USA
Feb 13 11:44 Clearance processing complete
Los Angeles - USA
Feb 12 12:34 Arrived at DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 12 11:54 Clearance processing complete
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 12 11:53 Arrived at DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 11 15:23 Please contact DHL
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 10 23:15 Transferred through Los Angeles-Gateway
Los Angeles - USA
Feb 10 14:27 Departed from DHL facility
Los Angeles - USA
Feb 10 06:33 Arrived at DHL facility
Los Angeles - USA
Feb 10 05:02 Departed from DHL facility
Cincinnati - USA
Feb 10 02:45 Arrived at DHL facility
Cincinnati - USA
Feb 09 20:27 Departed from DHL facility
Los Angeles - USA
Feb 09 11:08 Clearance processing complete
Los Angeles - USA
Feb 07 16:23 Departed from DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 07 00:54 Arrived at DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 07 00:12 Clearance processing complete
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 07 00:11 Arrived at DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 07 00:04 Arrived at DHL facility
Melbourne - Australia
Feb 05 08:26 Departed from DHL facility
London - UK
Feb 04 20:08 Arrived at DHL facility
London - UK
Feb 04 19:11 Departed from DHL facility
London - UK
Feb 04 17:19 Departing origin
London - UK
Feb 04 17:00 Shipment picked up
London - UK

Pre-Design and Layout...

2004-02-23T15:57:00.000-07:00

After much researching etc on the many forums and websites dedicated to arcade building and restoration, I have came up with a design I like. I designed this using visio draw, very nice program and can print to scale.

After printing and taping the design together, I found a scrap piece of plywood to test my layout with the actual components.

All systems are go. Looks like my design might be finished.

Still waiting on my parts from Ultimarc :(

2004-02-22T12:33:00.000-07:00

Gee this really sucks, my order from Ultimarc is taking forever to get here. It was shipped via DHL (boo). Anyway they seem to think Canada is in Australia for freak sake! - 3 times my order bounced between USA and there. Andy from Ultimarc is scratching his head over this one.

Lets all hope I get these parts soon!

I Can't wait to test ArcadeVGA and my Track ball with the Opti-pac.

Parts are on route :)

2004-02-16T13:48:00.000-07:00

2 shipments are due to arrive any day now. Package 1 from Ultimarc and Package 2 from Happs. A funny thing happened to delay my shipment from Ultimarc. It seems that my package wanted to hang out in Australia instead of coming home to me in Canada. Go Figure.

Once I get these items, I will post more info.

Chow for Now

Order Placed

2004-02-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

Today I ordered my Trackball from Happs - One Red Translucent is on its way.... Well whenever Happs gets one in stock to ship to me that is.

Not sure which one to get....

2004-02-08T22:30:00.000-07:00

I still need to order the last item sometime this week. But I can't decide which Track ball to go with :(

I narrowed it down to 2:

Red Translucent 3" from Happs
Blue Translucent 3" from Happs

Should I just toss a coin ?

New WG Monitor undergoes testing

2004-02-02T22:51:00.000-07:00

Shown is Ms Pacman (vertical game viewed on my Horizontal monitor)

Advanced Mame was used.

Ordered my parts from Ultimarc Today...

2004-02-02T22:17:00.000-07:00

Today I ordered a few parts from Ultimarc Which included, an Optipac for my Trackball and my Spinner, a New ball top 4-way J-Stick and the ArcadeVGA card.

New Marquee Installed...

2004-01-22T22:59:00.000-07:00

Tonight I installed my new Marquee, It was printed locally great quality and very reasonable rates.

Marquee Design tests...

2004-01-20T22:59:00.000-07:00

For my 1st marquee I decided not to re-event the wheel, so I looked and looked
for something that looked appealing. I found this
good example I did use
it as my base work, but I'm not sure if this will become my permanent one.

I think I will use this one from
Oscar
Controls website as my base, he also has a few good examples to alter :)

Here is what I came up with so far, I sent it out for
printing will see if it is the one I go with or not.

2004-01-16T22:31:00.000-07:00

I placed my order from Wells-Gardner for my new K7200.
Once this arrives I will show pictures and mounting instructions.

Wells-Gardner Website

New Monitor Ordered...

2004-01-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

Today I ordered direct from Wells - Gardner a refurbished 19" K7200. My cabinet is not large enough for a 25" nor is my budget. I have to tell you, seeing these classic games on the 17" computer screen really did not due them justice. If you want authentic go arcade monitor!

Oscar Model 1 Spinner gets a facelift...

2004-01-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

I needed parts to update my old Oscar model 1 spinner, so today I ordered a new Universal optic board and the encoder wheel that Oscar Controls uses for the Oscar Pro Spinner.

And so it begins...

2004-01-08T22:07:00.000-07:00

It has been almost 2 years since I last fooled around with my arcade, most of the reason was due to a monitor malfunction. This time around I will be adding many new features to my arcade, and with all things new, I renamed it. Previously my arcade was named 'Bring back my 80's arcade' after this project is complete, I will be call it Ultracade.

Catchy isn't it :P

Let me list all the new features that will be included.

1) A new monitor, my original monitor died - I blame age, and dust well age. Last year I was fortunate enough to get my hands on a 17" computer monitor which did nice, until it died. Such luck, it was a very old monitor.

2) Rebuild of my Oscar Model 1 spinner. I have ordered from Oscar Controls 2 new parts, A new encoder wheel and the universal optic board. The plan is to use these new parts along with the Opti-PAC for a superior spinner.

3) Rebuild of the control pad. Last time I could not afford to have a roller ball, well I am happy to announce that this will be part of my new control panel layout. I have not decided whether to go with the Happs' 3" roller ball which seams popular in the Mame group, or go with the one I found on Ultimarcs' website, a 2 1/4" priced right. Ultimarc will be supplying me a new Opti-PAC controller. This controller will run which ever roller ball I get and the rebuilt spinner. Also from Ultimarc I will purchase a J-Stick (4way switch able, ball top joystick)

4) Creation of a new Marquee, I found a few examples on the net and composed one from all the pieces :) The cost to move it onto glossy paper was very reasonable $7.95 / sqft. Monday I pick it up and see. Funny thing is tonight after checking around again at what others have done with their marquee artwork I might just get another one printed that is not so busy.

4) The last addition will be the AdvanceVGA card. I have heard mixed reviews about this card, but to me, having a true Arcade monitor and all. This might just be my ticket to perfect screens. I am quite used to using AdvanceMame to configure the Video modes, and I thought I knew it all then I stubbed upon this page, wow some people really get to the nitty gritty on things check it out!

Thanks for visiting my site, if you have any questions please email me