Waring and Disclaimers
WARING
With Arcade wiring you will be dealing with MAINS VOLTAGE depending on the country which you live this is anywhere from 100 to 250 volts. Improper wiring can cause damaged equipment and appliances, fire and risk of serious injury or death. Please take time to follow all safety precautions and follow your local rules, laws and regulations when dealing with devices and alliances that deal with MAINS voltage.
Disclaimer
I assume the reader knows all about basic electrical theory, wiring and tool use. That you know how to and proficient in how to cut, crimp, solder and fasten electrical wiring of various voltages. That you are competent in tool and basic mechanical work. If you really don't know how to do basic electrical wiring STOP NOW and TURN Back. Find a professional to assist or take over.
Please remember that It is the end user's responsibility to see to and to carry out proper implementation their own repairs and modifications. Ultimately the end users hold responsibility for how they implement their own repairs, modifications and projects.
Introduction
Welcome to the wonderful world of Jamma and Arcade Wiring. Why do I say Jamma and Arcade Wiring, well not all boards follow Jamma standards, Jamma or Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association was introduced in 1985.
Arcade cabinets wired to the JAMMA standard can be made to play all games built to this standard, simply by installing the circuit boards for the new game. -Wikipedia
In this thread I like to cover but not limited to
- Basic Jamma wiring
- Cabs
- Test Rigs
- Super Guns
- Consolization
- Information and Outside sources.
Basic Jamma Wiring
![type1_zpsdcfb0bf9.jpg]()
Here is a typical Jamma harness.
Jamma uses a 28/56 pin connector, the connector is pushed on and stays on by mechanical retention.
The Arcade board as a edge connector that fits into the Jamma harness.
![JammaWiring_zpse3ddc08f.png]()
Here is the expanded version of the Jamma Harness. As you notice the Jamma harness as enough room as both players can support up to 5 buttons Plus start for each player.
Most Arcade Cabinets only utilize 3 buttons from the Jamma Harness. SNK NEO GEO Machines utilize 4 buttons Plus a Select button for each player.
Many games like Capcom Fighters, Mortal Kombat and a few others utilize a Kick Harness for the 3 "kick" buttons.
Parts Side - This side of the connector faces up. The Top sides of most Arcade boards are the Parts side, where most of the components populate the board.
Solder Side - This is the side the vast majority of the parts get soldered to the board, this is typical facing the bottom of the board.
Wiring your Harness.
Although its preferred to buy pre-wired harnesses you can wire your own harness.
![jamma-56-pin-connector_zps78a4ac08.jpg]()
The reasons to buy a pre-wired harness is to not just to save time and effort but many of the better pre-wired harnesses use good quality, larger gauge wire that offers less interference and better performance.
Some people also get the separate edge connector to wire up their own adapters for boards that don't use the Jamma standard but still uses the same connector
![56-pin-jamma-golden-finger_zps7c76834e.jpg]()
often people get whats called a finger board as the edge connector to go along with the Jamma connector.
MVS standard
For some reason the SNK Neo Geo boards use a slight variation to the Jamma set up
![NEOGEOWiring_zpsa9e948d5.png]()
The thing to watch for the most is the Audio lines. MVS grounds their speaker system differently than standard Jamma.
Not being careful with this can blow your speakers, your arcade board or both. Many MVS boards have a separate connector for Stereo sound.
Pre-sorting your Jamma harness
So you either wired your own harness or purchase a pre-wired harness, its time to Sort all of the wires into groups to make your time wiring all 56 wires easier.
Here is a guide written by Bob Roberts on how to Sort your Jamma harness and prep for wiring an arcade cabinet
http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/jh.html
Here are 2 videos by Jasen Hicks, as he sorts a Jamma harness for one of his Super Guns.
![image]()
![image]()
The basic process is the same for Cabinets, Test Rigs and Super Guns
What the difference between a Arcade Cabinet, a Test Rig and a Super Gun?
Arcade Cabinet
An Arcade Cabinet is the whole complete machine, to include the cabinet it self, the game board (or computer) the Jamma Harness, power supply, control panel, monitor, speakers, marque (part of the cabinet), and perhaps the coin mech.
Test Rigs
![BzY8ylwEWkKGrHqRioEw5GhLf4BMV0E97wzQ_35_zps49127e47.jpg]()
This particular Test Rig is a Williams Electronics Test Rig from the 1980s.
A Test rig is the complete arcade set up sans the cabinet (and coin mech). a Test Rig is often use to test out and trouble shoot and repair damaged arcade boards.
Test Rigs sometimes attached to a CGA monitor (a monitor that accepts RGB video at 15hz)
Super Gun
![NeGeo_Pic1_zps8fee4486.jpg]()
![img_1196_zps1c792a01.jpg]()
![Pistolsm_zps29f6e454.jpg]()
![2013-07-30-050124_zps35ab4537.jpg]()
![DSC01401_zps226f25ee.jpg]()
Various Super Guns
A Super Gun is an adapter that allows the use and play of a Arcade motherboard on a home entertainment center.
A Super gun would have your Jamma Harness, Power Supply, controller ports (if not a whole control panel), and if native RGB video is not use a Video converter.
If native RGB video is used, the Super Gun will connect VIA Scart connector, BNC (video signals) & RCA (audio) connectors or on some monitors a DB 15 connector.
A Super Gun differs from a Test Rig as Super Guns are design with game play in mind while the Test Rig only used for Testing and Repair.
Super Guns will have DB 15 connectors (Neo GEO or Neo GEO+/ Capcom standard), a DB 25 connector or built in controller converters to use console game controllers (example Sega Saturn, SNES or PlaySation controllers)
Super Guns will vary from Home DIY projects to actual manufactured commercial devices
Consolization
![neo_geo_consolized_mvs_wood_zpsff6da1fb.jpg]()
![omega-system-1_zps56729c15.jpg]()
![DSC08455_zps225bad18-300x225_zps64b9f742.jpg]()
![NeoGeoMVS_Main2_zpse03bc225.jpg]()
![NeGeo_Pic3_zpsf1418236.jpg]()
Various Super Guns, the last image is a incomplete Portable Consozation Mod by Ben Heck.
This is a Arcade Mother board (or computer) that been modified to act as it was its own standalone game console.
The Arcade board will have installed and modified many of the components that would go into the Super Gun. This is usually done to arcade boards where the game it self can be switched.
Often a consolization done on SNK NEO GEO MVS, Capcom CPS2, Sammy Atonmswave, Sega Naomi, PolyGame Master (PGM) and other boards with interchangeable game cartridges.
*Note the Sega Naomi uses the JVS standard and not Jamma.
WARING
With Arcade wiring you will be dealing with MAINS VOLTAGE depending on the country which you live this is anywhere from 100 to 250 volts. Improper wiring can cause damaged equipment and appliances, fire and risk of serious injury or death. Please take time to follow all safety precautions and follow your local rules, laws and regulations when dealing with devices and alliances that deal with MAINS voltage.
Disclaimer
I assume the reader knows all about basic electrical theory, wiring and tool use. That you know how to and proficient in how to cut, crimp, solder and fasten electrical wiring of various voltages. That you are competent in tool and basic mechanical work. If you really don't know how to do basic electrical wiring STOP NOW and TURN Back. Find a professional to assist or take over.
Please remember that It is the end user's responsibility to see to and to carry out proper implementation their own repairs and modifications. Ultimately the end users hold responsibility for how they implement their own repairs, modifications and projects.
Introduction
Welcome to the wonderful world of Jamma and Arcade Wiring. Why do I say Jamma and Arcade Wiring, well not all boards follow Jamma standards, Jamma or Japan Amusement Machine and Marketing Association was introduced in 1985.
Arcade cabinets wired to the JAMMA standard can be made to play all games built to this standard, simply by installing the circuit boards for the new game. -Wikipedia
In this thread I like to cover but not limited to
- Basic Jamma wiring
- Cabs
- Test Rigs
- Super Guns
- Consolization
- Information and Outside sources.
Basic Jamma Wiring
Here is a typical Jamma harness.
Jamma uses a 28/56 pin connector, the connector is pushed on and stays on by mechanical retention.
The Arcade board as a edge connector that fits into the Jamma harness.
Here is the expanded version of the Jamma Harness. As you notice the Jamma harness as enough room as both players can support up to 5 buttons Plus start for each player.
Most Arcade Cabinets only utilize 3 buttons from the Jamma Harness. SNK NEO GEO Machines utilize 4 buttons Plus a Select button for each player.
Many games like Capcom Fighters, Mortal Kombat and a few others utilize a Kick Harness for the 3 "kick" buttons.
Parts Side - This side of the connector faces up. The Top sides of most Arcade boards are the Parts side, where most of the components populate the board.
Solder Side - This is the side the vast majority of the parts get soldered to the board, this is typical facing the bottom of the board.
Wiring your Harness.
Although its preferred to buy pre-wired harnesses you can wire your own harness.
The reasons to buy a pre-wired harness is to not just to save time and effort but many of the better pre-wired harnesses use good quality, larger gauge wire that offers less interference and better performance.
Some people also get the separate edge connector to wire up their own adapters for boards that don't use the Jamma standard but still uses the same connector
often people get whats called a finger board as the edge connector to go along with the Jamma connector.
MVS standard
For some reason the SNK Neo Geo boards use a slight variation to the Jamma set up
The thing to watch for the most is the Audio lines. MVS grounds their speaker system differently than standard Jamma.
Not being careful with this can blow your speakers, your arcade board or both. Many MVS boards have a separate connector for Stereo sound.
Pre-sorting your Jamma harness
So you either wired your own harness or purchase a pre-wired harness, its time to Sort all of the wires into groups to make your time wiring all 56 wires easier.
Here is a guide written by Bob Roberts on how to Sort your Jamma harness and prep for wiring an arcade cabinet
http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/jh.html
Here are 2 videos by Jasen Hicks, as he sorts a Jamma harness for one of his Super Guns.
The basic process is the same for Cabinets, Test Rigs and Super Guns
What the difference between a Arcade Cabinet, a Test Rig and a Super Gun?
Arcade Cabinet
An Arcade Cabinet is the whole complete machine, to include the cabinet it self, the game board (or computer) the Jamma Harness, power supply, control panel, monitor, speakers, marque (part of the cabinet), and perhaps the coin mech.
Test Rigs
This particular Test Rig is a Williams Electronics Test Rig from the 1980s.
A Test rig is the complete arcade set up sans the cabinet (and coin mech). a Test Rig is often use to test out and trouble shoot and repair damaged arcade boards.
Test Rigs sometimes attached to a CGA monitor (a monitor that accepts RGB video at 15hz)
Super Gun
Various Super Guns
A Super Gun is an adapter that allows the use and play of a Arcade motherboard on a home entertainment center.
A Super gun would have your Jamma Harness, Power Supply, controller ports (if not a whole control panel), and if native RGB video is not use a Video converter.
If native RGB video is used, the Super Gun will connect VIA Scart connector, BNC (video signals) & RCA (audio) connectors or on some monitors a DB 15 connector.
A Super Gun differs from a Test Rig as Super Guns are design with game play in mind while the Test Rig only used for Testing and Repair.
Super Guns will have DB 15 connectors (Neo GEO or Neo GEO+/ Capcom standard), a DB 25 connector or built in controller converters to use console game controllers (example Sega Saturn, SNES or PlaySation controllers)
Super Guns will vary from Home DIY projects to actual manufactured commercial devices
Consolization
Various Super Guns, the last image is a incomplete Portable Consozation Mod by Ben Heck.
This is a Arcade Mother board (or computer) that been modified to act as it was its own standalone game console.
The Arcade board will have installed and modified many of the components that would go into the Super Gun. This is usually done to arcade boards where the game it self can be switched.
Often a consolization done on SNK NEO GEO MVS, Capcom CPS2, Sammy Atonmswave, Sega Naomi, PolyGame Master (PGM) and other boards with interchangeable game cartridges.
*Note the Sega Naomi uses the JVS standard and not Jamma.