# Arcade Coin-Op ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/242/medium800/gaming_P1170390_2k.jpg?1516225864) Insert Quarter. What a wonderful phrase, that speaks of unlimited possibility! Today, we usually just press a button on our emulators when we see those words, but how much more fun to actually drop a coin into the slot to add credits! This project will show you how to do just that. By connecting a programmable coin acceptor to the Picade controller, you can close the contacts on your coin credit pins that would normally be driven by a button. You could build a simple version using the Programmable 1 Coin Type acceptor, maybe to use with one type of token or coin, but here we'll use the fancy Programmable 4 Coin Type acceptor and give players two credits for a 50 cent piece, and four credits for a Sacajawea or Susan B. Anthony! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/243/medium800/gaming_P1170413_2k.jpg?1516225885) ### Part: Coin Acceptor quantity: 1 Programmable 4 Coin Type [Coin Acceptor](https://www.adafruit.com/product/787) ### Part: 12V DC 1A regulated switching power adapter quantity: 1 UL listed [12V DC 1A regulated switching power adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/798) ### Part: Female DC Power adapter quantity: 1 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block [Female DC Power adapter](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368) Danger: # Arcade Coin-Op ## Train the Coin Acceptor The coin acceptor is pretty impressive -- it can distinguish between different coins, can throw a built-in solenoid to allow good coins to drop and send bad ones to the return slot. It also can send pulsed signals to your microcontroller to indicate which coins it's accepted. The first thing to do is prepare the coin acceptor to accept the coins you want to use. It uses a few sensors to distinguish different coins and the on-board microcontroller needs to learn which ones are good. Follow the steps on the included manual for your coin acceptor -- the four coin model's instructions are shown here. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/244/medium800/gaming_CHmulticoin.jpg?1516225962) To begin, we need to provide 12V DC power. Connect the red and black wires from the coin acceptor's wiring harness to the female DC power jack's screw terminals, + and - respectively. Plug the harness into the coin acceptor.  Then plug in the power plug from your wall adapter, which should be plugged into an AC outlet. You'll hear a loud beep, and the red LED on top will light up. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/256/medium800/gaming_P1170473.jpg?1516228504) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/257/medium800/gaming_P1170474.jpg?1516228538) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/255/medium800/gaming_P1170475.jpg?1516228352) Follow the steps in the instructions. When you get to step 4. of the parameter setup section, you will tell the coin acceptor how many pulses to send for each type of coin your program. You could, for example, send one pulse for a quarter, two for a 50 cent piece, and four for a dollar coin. Each pulse will be a game credit. Pick a value of 1 pulse for your smallest value coin that equals one credit. In the example below, I chose a quarter as the smallest coin, which will pulse once for one credit.  Here's a GIF of the process: ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/470/medium800thumb/gaming_coinProgramming3.jpg?1516752641) Now, repeat the process for your second coin, say a 50 cent piece, but this time, when you get to step 4., choose a pulse value of two. You can test it out once you're finished programming it by dropping in coins and watching the readout on the side. ## Hook It Up To use the coin box instead of a button to add in-game credits, insert the white wire from the coin box wiring harness to the Picade's **1/4** (get it, Quarter?) pin, and the black wire to the Picade **GND.** First, add a length of black wire to the same ground terminal on the DC power jack that we used to connect the coin's black wire for power. This will be used for the common ground with the Picade board. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/603/medium800/gaming_picadeCoinWiring.jpg?1517436696) Warning: Never hook the coin acceptor 12V line directly to the 3.3V Pi input lines directly. This project has the PiCade safely translate the voltage to the correct level so the Pi stays safe. ## Coin to Credit - It may be helpful to remove the control panel from the front of the cabinet in order to access the button pins. Unscrew the two retaining screws and lift it off - The default coin button is the left one on the front panel. For simple operation, (where you can always still use the button when you run out of quarters) connect the coin box's white and black wires to the two terminals of this button using alligator clip leads - If you don't want any loopholes for players without quarters, you can wire the coin box's black output wire to ground and the white wire to the quarter pin on the Picade board and disconnect the front left button. You could wire up a switch inside the cabinet to toggle this on and off as well. Be aware, you will need to adjust key bindings to reclaim the "select" key functions that are shared with the "coin" button using the RetroPie configuration tools. ![gaming_P1170449_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/595/medium640/gaming_P1170449_2k.jpg?1517435806) ![gaming_P1170451_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/597/medium640/gaming_P1170451_2k.jpg?1517435851) ![gaming_P1170457_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/598/medium640/gaming_P1170457_2k.jpg?1517435876) ![gaming_P1170454_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/600/medium640/gaming_P1170454_2k.jpg?1517436046) # Arcade Coin-Op ## Build the Coin Case ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/387/medium800/gaming_P1170415_2k.jpg?1516657036) You can use anything from a cardboard box to a steel enclosure to house your coin acceptor. Since we aren't leaving this out for crazed players at the local arcade, we don't need to worry about security, so a more moderate enclosure will do. We want the case to keep things neat, allow coins to be collected and match the looks of our Picade cabinet. This design was made to be laser cut from acrylic, and is fastened with sixteen M2.5 x 16mm socket head screws and nuts. The coin acceptor mounts with the four included bolts and nuts, or your own M4 screws and nuts. You can also print the vector files and use them as a template to cut out the material of your choice -- anything from foamcore board or cardboard with a hobby knife, to baltic birch plywood on a bandsaw. Download the vector file linked here. [picadeCoinBox.svg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/059/985/original/picadeCoinBox.svg?1535144270) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/393/medium800/gaming_picadeVector.png?1516658326) Either cut the vector paths on a laser cutter from 3mm (1/8") acrylic, or print the file and use it as a stencil to cut your parts with another tool. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/389/medium800/gaming_P1170441_2k.jpg?1516657301) ## Assembly ## Front Panel - First, mount the coin acceptor to the front face as shown here - Also, insert four of the M2.5 screws into the front panel, and thread on their nuts a few turns ![gaming_P1170435_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/395/medium640/gaming_P1170435_2k.jpg?1516658748) ![gaming_P1170434_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/398/medium640/gaming_P1170434_2k.jpg?1516658764) ![gaming_P1170432_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/399/medium640/gaming_P1170432_2k.jpg?1516658774) ![gaming_P1170430_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/400/medium640/gaming_P1170430_2k.jpg?1516658813) ## Back Panel - Feed the wiring harness connector through the back panel's circular opening - Plug it into the coin acceptor - Add four M2.5 screws and nuts to the back panel as shown, and then fasten it and the front panel to one of the side panels ![gaming_P1170429_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/404/medium640/gaming_P1170429_2k.jpg?1516658967) ![gaming_P1170427_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/405/medium640/gaming_P1170427_2k.jpg?1516659125) ![gaming_P1170425_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/407/medium640/gaming_P1170425_2k.jpg?1516659219) Info: ## Bottom and Sides - Using the same method, fasten the bottom - Add the second side panel ![gaming_P1170423_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/408/medium640/gaming_P1170423_2k.jpg?1516659282) ![gaming_P1170422_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/409/medium640/gaming_P1170422_2k.jpg?1516659290) ![gaming_P1170421_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/410/medium640/gaming_P1170421_2k.jpg?1516659298) ![gaming_P1170420_2k.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/411/medium640/gaming_P1170420_2k.jpg?1516659309) Finish by fastening on the top panel! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/412/medium800/gaming_P1170416_2k.jpg?1516659413) ## Power it Up You can now plug in your 12V DC wall adapter to the wall and to the female jack connected to the wiring harness. The coin acceptor will beep upon startup. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/413/medium800/gaming_P1170414_2k.jpg?1516659509) You can now position the coin box as you like, and open up your arcade for play! ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/415/medium800/gaming_P1170397_2k_b.jpg?1516660649) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/050/416/medium800/gaming_P1170395_2k.jpg?1516660679) ## Featured Products ### Coin Acceptor - Programmable 4 Coin Type [Coin Acceptor - Programmable 4 Coin Type](https://www.adafruit.com/product/787) Your project may be free-as-in-speech, but that doesn't mean it has to be free-as-in-beer. This handy coin validator/acceptor module is just like the ones you've seen in arcades. **This model has the cool ability to accept up to 4 different coins!** For example, you can... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/787) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/787/guides) ### Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block [Female DC Power adapter - 2.1mm jack to screw terminal block](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368) If you need to connect a DC power wall wart to a board that doesn't have a DC jack - this adapter will come in very handy! There is a 2.1mm DC jack on one end, and a screw terminal block on the other. The terminals are labeled with positive/negative assuming a positive-tip configuration... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/368) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/368/guides) ### Coin Acceptor - Programmable 1 Coin Type [Coin Acceptor - Programmable 1 Coin Type](https://www.adafruit.com/product/786) Your project may be free-as-in-speech, but that doesn't mean it has to be free-as-in-beer. This handy coin validator/acceptor module is just like the ones you've seen in arcades. First, program it with what coin you want it to accept, any coin from 10.8mm to 25.1mm in diameter can be... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/786) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/786/guides) ### 12V DC 1000mA (1A) regulated switching power adapter - UL listed [12V DC 1000mA (1A) regulated switching power adapter - UL listed](https://www.adafruit.com/product/798) This is a really nice power supply. It's a switching DC supply so it's small and light and efficient. It is thin so it fits in power strips without blocking other outlets. The output is regulated so you'll get a steady 12V up to 1000mA (1 Amp) of current draw. 5.5mm/2.1mm barrel... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/798) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/798/guides) ### Pimoroni Picade Cabinet Kit [Pimoroni Picade Cabinet Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2706) The **Pimoroni Picade Cabinet** is a stylish, retro, and fun arcade cabinet for your Raspberry Pi! The Picade Cabinet comes in kit form for you to build at home. All parts, panels, and components are included - you just need to supply the Raspberry Pi and power adapter.... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2706) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2706/guides) ### Pimoroni Picade Console Controller Kit for Raspberry Pi 4 [Pimoroni Picade Console Controller Kit for Raspberry Pi 4](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2707) Power-up your TV with a **Pimoroni Picade Console Controller**! It's a compact, Raspberry Pi-powered retro games machine with authentic arcade controls that plugs right into your TV, monitor, or other HDMI display. It's a stylish, retro, and fun arcade controller for your... No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2707) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2707/guides) ### Pimoroni Picade Controller PCB [Pimoroni Picade Controller PCB](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2708) The **Pimoroni Picade Controller PCB** is an Arduino-compatible board with an integrated 3W stereo amplifier designed for use in arcade projects (like the [Picade Cabinet](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2706) or No Longer Stocked [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/2708) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/2708/guides) ### Pimoroni Picade X HAT USB-C for Raspberry Pi [Pimoroni Picade X HAT USB-C for Raspberry Pi](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3402) [Pimoroni](https://shop.pimoroni.com/) has taken all the great features of the [Picade PCB](https://www.adafruit.com/products/2708) and crammed them onto this super **Picade X HAT**. It's the best, easiest way to make a super-sweet arcade system using any... 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