Gottlieb Challenger Arcade
This Cabinet is from a genuine Gottlieb Challenger manufactured in Belmore, Sydney by Jambene Pty. Ltd.
Recently purchased as an empty unit with no internals and perfect for a MAME conversion.
I wouldn't sacrifice a genuine arcade machine for a MAME conversion but this unit was already completely devoid of original parts bar the cabinet itself.
Pictured here with the beginnings of a new Control Panel and combined Keyboard Drawer for the PC Keyboard and Mouse to be conveniently accessed.
The only internal components which were still present were the two 4" speakers but these were not to be retained as the plan to include a jukebox function necessitated a slight upgrade in the speaker department. A pair of (JVC) 2 way 4" car stereo type speakers taking their place, behind the cabinet's original perforated steel grilles.
A spacer panel was required to fit the 2-way speakers without modifying the original slotted plywood panel, also providing a surface for the Marquee light LED strips. Two strips, around 1 meter in total to match the light output of a fluorescent tube.
An original type (possibly genuine New Old Stock) Marquee graphic placed between 2 sheets of 3mm acrylic. Note the mounting holes for the original 26" CRT, either vertical or horizontal orientation. The quality of the original cabinet work is evident in this photo.
A simple panel for VESA mounting the new 24" widescreen HD LCD monitor (the largest which will fit without modifying or discarding the original CRT bezel). The monitor will sit neatly in front of the bezel, just behind the original slightly tinted glass.
The LCD monitor is wider than the original CRT but not as high, so a small section of this panel will be visible. Some flat black paint applied with a roller to match the finish of the bezel and surround. To allow this particular monitor to sit just behind the glass, the panel used is about 35mm thick. The weight is not an issue, compared to the original 26" CRT.
Even the Coin slot seen in the previous photos was only a faceplate. I have since obtained a couple of the original type Mars MS 111 coin mechs and a genuine Gottlieb triple coin credit board.
I 3D printed the two coin-mech retaining clips as these were missing. I've also made a little board which plugs onto the pins of the coin mech, adding an open-collector output buffer and a switch to enable or disable each coin denomination. The coin mech was pre-programmed to accept 20c, $1, $2 coins and tokens. I've bought some assorted old tokens and so far found only one which is (sometimes) accepted - an AMF (bowling alley?) token
The Gottlieb triple coin credit board obviously handles three denominations and the number of credits can be switch selected for each. I've set it to 2x20c=1 credit, $1=3 credits and $2=7 credits, the maximum available. I've wired the 'token' signal into the service switch input which results in a credit per token.
A standard type arcade Power Supply runs the Marquee LED lights, Audio amplifier, Coin Mech (12V) and Credit Board (5V). Along with a newly fabricated (plywood) coin box and 3D printed coin chute the coin-op part is functional once again. The machine is not used commercially but the coin per play feature adds some authenticity and nostalgia to the classic arcade games, in my opinion.
In the space originally occupied by the power distribution unit there is room for a normal size desktop PC. This one has Windows 7 and loads 'EmulationStation' on startup. From there 'MAME' or 'DW Jukebox' can be selected. Within EmulationStation the PC Keyboard and Mouse are not usually required, normal functions can be selected via the control panel joystick and switches.
The keyboard drawer taking shape. The front panel also hinges down to improve access for typing. The control panel sides are yet to be trimmed to shape and T-Moulding added. It also needs a metal strip to keep the glass in place, originally this was done by a flange on the metal Control Panel.
Keyboard drawer closed. The control panel layout (first revision) - based on Defender and Asteroids controls. Some adjustment is still needed to the positioning of the joystick and buttons so watch out for Revision 2 coming soon...
Materials for the Control Panel are courtesy of this Ikea drawer unit. The drawer fronts are extra thick and just right for the control panel. I don't mind the colour difference, the blue and mauve colours remind me of the original Space Invaders control panel artwork and make a good match for the 'Challenger' Marquee graphic as well. Waste not, want not...
Gottlieb and Taito cabinets lit up (DW Jukebox on screen).
Web Resources (External Links) -
MAMEDEV.org | Home of The MAME Project
Gottlieb Challenger Upright 26" inch Arcade Machine Made in Australia - YouTube
Gottlieb Electronics/All Electro Sales and Wholesaler - Belmore, NSW | Past/Lives of the Near Future
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Contact: jbtech at telstra dot com