21 replies to this topic

[killcrazy]

Just a quick question...

 

Some of the later Epoch machines use a starpoint SEC meter rather than an array of the old mechanical ones...  Does anyone know how it's connected to the system? 

 

I'm guessing through one of the serial ports on the MPU?   These meters are next on my list to get working !

 

Thanks

Edited by killcrazy, 07 April 2013 - 09:00 PM.

[stanmarsh14]

I'm looking at the field service guide right now, trying to help a fellow member with a fault on his blue simpsons with a gen met 6.0 error, so will report back when I find out which PCB they run to.

[stanmarsh14]

CnP a post I just made over at MPU Mecca, which will also apply to you (Looking at my Simpsons (Blue) machine).....

 

One of the other boards Epoch's are well known for chewing up, is the hopper controller board, which is sometimes located behind a small black metal box, on the back-inside of the cab just to the left of the hopper unit (See attached).

 

The meters also run to this same board oddaly enough (No idea what possessed Maygay to run the meters to this particular PCB)

 

You need to remove this cover (You may find removing the reel deck first makes it easier to access), and possibly replace the PCB inside.

Just for reference, link here for Epoch Elegance range of cabs (Also a pic of the main set of PCB boards in question, which shows the hopper driver board), which also run the same electronics as the Simpsons machine http://homepage.ntlw...aygay_Epoch.zip

Attached Files

•  simpsons05.jpg   84.85KB   18 downloads
•  simpsons06.jpg   179.74KB   20 downloads

[killcrazy]

Thanks for the reply

 

So do you think a SEC meter would connect to the same port as the old analogue meters?  It's just from what I understand they need an SCI (serial communication interface) to transfer data (with a return data line).  I don't know if the port on the hopper board would be capable of this?  

[stanmarsh14]

Thanks for the reply

 

So do you think a SEC meter would connect to the same port as the old analogue meters?  It's just from what I understand they need an SCI (serial communication interface) to transfer data (with a return data line).  I don't know if the port on the hopper board would be capable of this?  

 

TBH I am not sure, as I have never dealt with SEC's before..... however, on the Elegance cabs which I have seen SEC's fitted to before (That is what that field guide is based on), I would think it would connect to the same PCB looking at it, although it maybe on a different part of the board.

What I would do (Assuming you have not stripped it out already), have a look at the current board, and see what is connected to it, as it should give you clue enough if SEC's go to the same PCB.

[Guitar]

Have you looked in the MFME source code? It has SEC meters in it and is available in its entirety on the agemame site.

[killcrazy]

Have you looked in the MFME source code? It has SEC meters in it and is available in its entirety on the agemame site.

Ah brill didn't know that!  Will take a look, thanks

[dr slots]

if you have not already been givin the connector info here it is

 

 maygay epoch sec meter connector.pdf   35.65KB   12 downloads

[Bencrest]

Every time I read about EPOCH being emulated I get really excited

[killcrazy]

Thanks for the PDF doc

 

 

Every time I read about EPOCH being emulated I get really excited

 

Me too!  I never thought I'd get this far to be completely honest...  Once the SEC meter is finished then we're almost there regarding the core...  Nearly every game should be fully playable

Edited by killcrazy, 24 April 2013 - 01:07 PM.

[stanmarsh14]

I'm poss getting two Simpsons games in the Elegance cabs this time next week (Beer Guide, and Moe's Tavern), and I think they have SEC's fitted, so when I get a chance, will have a look inside and see where the SEC's run to.

Failing that, I could have a word with one of the guys at The Mecca who also has one of these Elegance cab games.

[dr slots]

Think you will find these use the old mechanical meters

I'm poss getting two Simpsons games in the Elegance cabs this time next week (Beer Guide, and Moe's Tavern), and I think they have SEC's fitted, so when I get a chance, will have a look inside and see where the SEC's run to.

Failing that, I could have a word with one of the guys at The Mecca who also has one of these Elegance cab games.

[killcrazy]

I'm poss getting two Simpsons games in the Elegance cabs this time next week (Beer Guide, and Moe's Tavern), and I think they have SEC's fitted, so when I get a chance, will have a look inside and see where the SEC's run to.

Failing that, I could have a word with one of the guys at The Mecca who also has one of these Elegance cab games.

Thanks Stan I have the info now They connect up to port PL2 on the MPU / Port B on the CPU.

[spa]

Just got a meltdown and beer guide. If you need anything, let me know.

[Bencrest]

Just got a meltdown and beer guide. If you need anything, let me know.

 

Were those the two that were on the Mecca, where the Meltdown was faulty but the Beer Guide was working? Was so tempted to snap those up myself, glad they've gone to a good home if they are yours

 

If you decide to sell either then give us a shout

[Mavroz]

Was 99% sure these 2 machines ran the electro mech meters, not SEC's.

[spa]

Were those the two that were on the Mecca, where the Meltdown was faulty but the Beer Guide was working? Was so tempted to snap those up myself, glad they've gone to a good home if they are yours

 

If you decide to sell either then give us a shout

 

Will do. Have them both working now though One of the Epoch boards is knackered. Took it out of beer guide, stuck the HM roms in, put it on 25p/£5 and away it goes!

 

Will have to let them go in the not so distant future so will give you a shout. My games room is 15 strong now and I can barely move in there

[stanmarsh14]

Just got a meltdown and beer guide. If you need anything, let me know.

 

Sorted

It's the hopper driver board on these machines that needs looking at, to see where the SEC style meters hook up to.

On mine (Standard meters), they run via the hopper board, but due to the way SEC style meters work, there are some doubts if they run via the same PCB, although they may hook up via another pin header on the same board.

 

As for spares, if you want, can give you the details for my contact in Derby that sells epoch spares, who's good with his support and prices too, as it sounds like you could do with BOTH a lamp board and a main Epoch board too (Probs cost around £35 for those two + a hopper driver board spares pack).

Edited by stanmarsh14, 26 April 2013 - 09:37 AM.

[Mavroz]

SEC meters sorted now.
They run from plug 2 on the main mpu board.

[stanmarsh14]

SEC meters sorted now.
They run from plug 2 on the main mpu board.

 

Sounds logical that, as it would make more sense running the data bus info direct from the main MPU tp the SEC;s, rather than via a secondary board like the mechanicals do.