This is not just an ordinary JAMMA Adapter. This adapter has been designed to allow you to build a custom adapter for your favorite game, in the simplest, easiest and fastest way possible.
Compared to other universal adapters, that typically require cutting and soldering wires, this one will allow you to complete the entire process of building an adapter in about 10% of the time. All you need is a soldering iron.
Here are some of the design features of this adapter board.
- Simplicity
In order to route a pin from the game edge connector to the JAMMA side, you simply bridge one solder pad that lines up with the corresponding JAMMA function. You repeat that process for all the pins that you want to map, and you’re done.
Detailed instructions for building an adapter can be found here.
- Durability & Reliability
Once the adapter is completed, it will be last forever since there are no loose wires to break off.
- Re-usability
If ever you want to change the routing or even reuse the same board for a different game, simply run the soldering iron tip across the jumper pads to break the connection. To clean up the pad you can use solder wick, but that’s totally optional.
You can then solder across different pads for completely a different routing.
- Prototyping
You can also use this board for prototyping as well, as it allows you to quickly try different routes in order to discover the function of a pin. Once you find the function you can mark the correct solder pad on the board to bridge, or if you have a soldering iron ready, bridge it right there. This is by far the fastest way to build an adapter without having the correct pinout handy for those super rare games.
- Price
I’m planning to make this adapter available at price lower than that of any competition. Combine this with a superior design, and ease of use, there is no reason to try anything else.
Now that we’ve covered the positive aspects of this design, let’s discuss some of the limitations as well.
- Large board size
This is a very complex board. The 56 pin version has on it over 2000 jumper pads, at least 4000 vias, and a large grid of intertwined traces all tightly packed together. In order to allow for this complexity while also providing large enough solder pads, the board had to be of this size. Typically, it is smaller than a similar hand made wired design, but not as small as a custom made adapter or some universal conversion adapter boards that require the soldering of wires.
- Limited current capacity.
While this shouldn’t be an issue with most games, there is limited space on this board for thick traces to carry a large amount of current to either the controls or the power rails. The maximum power handling for this adapter is about 12A for the +5V rail and about 2A each for the +12V an -5V rails. This is perfectly suitable for most games given how a typical arcade power supply usually provides a maximum current of 15A for +5V and 1A for the +12V and -5V rails. Traces for the control panel, audio and video should be able to handle up to 1A of current.
If you were planning to use this board for a conversion that requires a lot of current, you may want to keep this in mind. When you connect the adapter for the first time, check the adapter board for any signs of excessive heat.
Also, if you you have a faulty board with a short, or keep repeatedly shorting the control panel pins, be aware that in the process you’ll likely damage this adapter first.
The universal adapter will be available in 3 flavours depending on the pin count of the game board that is being converted.