Hooking Up Arcade Monitors: Power Supply Wire Guide

If you're looking to hook up a monitor to your arcade machine, you'll need to know a few things. First, you'll need to determine how to hook up the monitor – this will usually be done one of two ways, either with VGA for high-res/31khz games, or with red/green/blue/ground/sync for low-res/standard res or medium-res games. Next, you'll need to hook up the power, which is where the isolation transformer comes into play. Most new monitors don't need a separate transformer anymore, but if you do need one, it will likely be located behind and under the monitor, off to the side of the main power supply. You can identify it by looking for a black wire and a white wire coming from the power supply leading to a little box-like thing.

VGA hookup for high-res games

VGA, or Video Graphics Array, is a video display controller and graphics standard that was first introduced by IBM in 1987. It became the standard for PC-compatible computers within three years. The VGA connector is a 15-pin D-subminiature connector, typically referred to as DE-15, HD-15, or DB-15(HD).

To hook up a monitor for high-res games using VGA, you will need to connect the VGA cable to both your computer and your monitor or TV. The VGA port on your computer is shaped like a trapezoid with two screw holes on either side and 15 pins within the trapezoid. Make sure your computer is turned on.

Connect the other end of the VGA cable to your monitor or TV. If your monitor or TV does not have a VGA port, you may need to use a VGA-to-HDMI adapter or another type of adapter, depending on the available ports on your display. Ensure that your display is turned on.

In most cases, your display should automatically detect the new connection and switch to the correct input. If it doesn't, you will need to manually change the input to VGA or the relevant input for your adapter.

Additionally, if you want to transmit sound along with the video, you will need to connect a separate 3.5 mm audio cable from your computer to your display or speakers.

Once the connections are made, you can adjust the projection settings on your computer if needed. On a Windows computer, you can press the Windows key + P to open the Project menu and select the desired projection option (PC screen only, Duplicate, Extend, or Second screen only).

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully hook up a monitor for high-res games using VGA.

Red/green/blue/ground/sync hookup for low-res or standard-res games

To hook up a monitor for low-res or standard-res games, you can use the red/green/blue/ground/sync connection. This is one of two ways to hook up a monitor, the other being VGA for high-res games.

The red, green, and blue wires will be exactly those colours. The sync and ground wires are usually white and black, respectively. Most machines will have a connector with all of these wires together in the same housing. It is important to be 100% sure by following where it is coming from.

The red, green, blue, sync, and video ground wires should be hooked up to the input header on the monitor. Power should be supplied through an isolation transformer.

Isolation transformer hookup

Isolation transformers are used to power arcade monitors, and they are essential for safety. The transformer steps down the voltage from the mains supply to a level suitable for the monitor, typically 120VAC. They are often found behind and under the monitor, with black and white wires leading to the power supply.

To install an isolation transformer, first identify the input and output terminals. The input side, also known as the primary side, will have two terminals for connecting the incoming mains supply. The output side, or secondary side, will also have two terminals, which will supply the stepped-down voltage to the monitor.

Connect the incoming mains supply to the primary side of the transformer. The mains supply will have three wires: hot, neutral, and ground. The hot wire is usually black and connects to one of the primary terminals. The neutral wire is usually white and connects to the other primary terminal. The ground wire should be connected to the metal chassis of the transformer and, if applicable, the monitor's frame.

On the secondary side, connect the two output wires to the appropriate terminals. These wires will carry the stepped-down voltage to the monitor. It is important to note that the secondary side is not chassis ground, so any ground connections should be made directly to the metal chassis.

Some transformers may have additional terminals for extra functions, such as powering lights or other components. Consult the transformer's manual or a qualified technician if you are unsure about any connections.

When working with electrical components, always exercise caution and follow safety procedures to avoid injury or damage to equipment.

Wiring an arcade power switch

To wire an arcade power switch, you will need to cut one of the input AC wires, typically the black wire, as this is the hot wire that carries the electrical current. Once you have identified and cut the correct wire, you will need to connect both sides of the cut wire to the switch. This can be done by splicing the wire, or using quick connectors.

Next, drill a hole in the desired location for your power switch, ensuring it is easily accessible. The top right of the cabinet is a common choice. Choose a suitable switch and attach it to the cabinet, running the wires up to the switch.

Connect one side of the switch to the incoming AC wire, and the other side to a new wire that will complete the circuit. This wire should be run down to the original splice, ensuring that the power can be cut before reaching any other components.

Finally, reconnect the power supply and test the switch to ensure it is functioning correctly.

It is important to note that arcade monitors typically require an isolation transformer to step down the voltage and prevent damage to the monitor's power supply. This should be connected to the monitor's power supply, with the AC power and earth ground connections made.

Power supply wiring

Firstly, it is important to understand the differences between an inline power supply and a switching power supply. An inline power supply is more likely to be found in an original classic arcade game. The issue with this type of power supply is that, if it shorts, a power spike could damage the game's printed circuit board (PCB). A switching power supply, on the other hand, will "switch" off the power supply when a short is detected, thus protecting the PCB. Therefore, it is recommended to replace an inline power supply with a modern switching power supply.

When connecting a power supply, there are several important instructions to follow:

• The +5VDC output should be adjusted to read close to +5.05VDC when measured at/on the PCB.
• Measure the VAC leakage when measuring the +5VDC. A very low reading (e.g. .003VAC) is best, while a higher reading (e.g. .025VAC) could indicate a defective power supply.
• Ensure that the VAC input setting is adjusted for 110VAC.
• The VAC input leads (usually black and white) can usually be connected to either of the VAC terminal posts, unless indicated otherwise.
• If used, connect the Field Ground lead (usually green) to the terminal post marked FG.
• Most modern JAMMA installations require only three output leads - +5VDC, Common, and +12VDC. Ensure that you connect the leads to the correct terminals, as reversing the +5VDC and +12VDC leads could damage your PCB.
• The JAMMA output leads are usually colour-coded - +5VDC is red, Common is black, and +12VDC is yellow or orange. However, do not rely solely on colour-coding as this may vary between brands. Instead, confirm the JAMMA harness colour coding at the JAMMA PCB edge connector.
• When testing the power supply VDC output, do so with the power supply under a load, otherwise, you could damage the power supply.

Additionally, when wiring a power strip inside an arcade cabinet, you can tap into the power supply by cutting the AC plug and splicing/soldering the wires to the power supply. However, be cautious and ensure that you are connecting to the AC side and not the DC side, as connecting the DC part of the line directly to the AC power could be dangerous.

Frequently asked questions