Sega Lindbergh Universal Cabinet Restoration

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

Hi all, nothing too spectacular here, but I’m documenting as best I can my take on a SLUC resto/console adaptation. It’s my first arcade project so I’m learning as I go and will need help from those with more know how than I. I’m not using original hardware but making a custom setup for myself to enjoy mostly PS3 fighting games. I was never into the genre but now I have a Jap sit-down cabinet I’m keen. Sorry for not initially posting pics and descriptions in this thread - just a YouTube link for now and I’ll go from there.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...1Oyb6fy6Ua8ugP

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

Okay, the above videos are up, but here's some details for anyone interested. I took heaps of photos, so quite a bit of detail will be missed as I can't post them all here, but feel free to ask for any more detail if you like.

First up, here's the cab minus any hardware, but with all the IO, boards and wiring intact. It has a Noir replica billboard and control panel.

I'm new to arcades and am more interested in converting this for console use for maximum gameplay. The first step was to visualise how I wanted to modify the CP. I have original 1P panels and a Jasen's Customs 2P panel so was happy to cut this one up. Coins came in handy and an old school compass.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

For once I know someone who has the machinery and cad skills to help me cut out the button and aux button holes I wanted. Once the holes were cut I removed all the old paint and rust and prepared the panel for powder coating. The panel is based on what buttons a Brook UFB will support. On top of that I've added 2 x USB, a volume knob and a headphone jack.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

I spent a good amount of time dismantling and cleaning the CP. Laying the powder coated panel in was very rewarding. There was some residual coke syrup in there eating away at the metal.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

After searching like many others before me, I found a komorebi image I was happy to send to the graphic designer to make my custom panel artwork in the spirit of the original. The final image used on the CP was the central portion of the attached picture turned upside down and in greyscale. It took a bit of back and forth to get the art just how I wanted it. The size of the white rings and two shades of transparent surrounds are very specific on the original panels. The final printout is beautiful and printed on chrome. I had another standard one done. Granted the original is more like a brushed foil, but this is awesome all the same. I also had a Virtua Fighter marquee done from a scan I found online. This was all done by Carson at Noodleshirt in Aust.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

Here's what the other panels I have look like in place:

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

I purchased what I'm told (by River Service JP) was the last instruction space from Sega. I had it scanned in two halves and then reproduced on translite paper/plastic by Noodleshirt. It doesn't have the same rear blockout as the original but I'm very happy with the outcome.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

After sticking down the overlay, I carefully cut out the holes and put in some buttons for a test. The dual headphones was a brain fart, and later I put a volume knob in there.
Everything lined up beautifully. In order to get the artwork done, I turned the CP over and traced to out on paper. I then scanned that paper and sent image to Noodleshirt.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

Next up was to clean all the internals. It came up well and there wasn't any surprises.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

The billboard was a bit tricky to simulate the real ones that have a black border on the perspex. The fixing points cut through some of the logo, but it will do until I can get an original. These Noir billboards are too tall for the Lindbergh and the previous arcade owner drilled new holes to fix this to the cabinet. I was able to lower it and it now sits nearly in the right spot.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

After cleaning up the access panel, I had a traffolyte patch made to cover the holes. I could have got silver but thought I'd try black in case the silver wasn't quite a match. It's really coming along now!

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

I removed the monitor next and cleaned out all the guts from fluff and schmeg. I layed in an LG monitor I have for the future, but it wouldn't fit as is. I'll give this a proper go when I have more time, but think it might have to de case the monitor or use one of the other known monitors that fit the machine. After cleaning the top half of the machine (including speakers) thoroughly I put it all back together and it's come up well.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

The machine is now back together and I'm able to connect a PS3 to the monitor with a USB KVM switch you will see later.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

Connecting all the buttons and audio stuff was a process that involved a lot of experimentation until I was happy. I can't remember the exact order but the post below shows the finished product.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

This is how it mostly ended up. I had to source some cables with Dupont connectors as well as some pre-made Brook harnesses to get this just how I wanted. I powered the 5V LED strip from the Brook board.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

The next big phase was to build a board of components that controlled the switching of two consoles/PC and the audio setup. In the Youtube series I linked to in the first post you can see that whole process I went through. Basically I have a USB/HDMI KVM switch that allows me to have two consoles connected to the cabinet. I can't exactly switch between them live, but you can easily play games on one console and then switch it off and switch on the second console and play that. The audio worked out that I have a volume knob on the CP that controls the volume of the Lindbergh speakers, and I have a headphone amp inside the cab that controls the volume of the headphone out. The USB plugs are connected to one of the consoles of your choice and the other to a USB power supply for your phone. As mentioned, there's heaps more explanation in the Youtube videos.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

I spent hours getting the cables right so I can unplug stuff in the CP and at the back for CP removal and easy transport. Those RCA cables allow me to connect a sub or external powered speakers.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

This has been a real joy for me. Over 12 months from purchase to completion with weeks and weeks in between of no activity or waiting for parts. Some finishing touches included getting a couple of mini instruction space artwork panels. I'm no artist but made a similar one to the original Lindbergh one, and also a Final Showdown one. These were printed on Ezytack and can be peeled off. The Dariusburst decal is for my Game Wizard (Vewlix Replica) cabinet.

 

[Ziggy Cheetos Dust]

So there it is folks. These cabs are perfect for those who want to convert to console use and don't know much about the world of CRT candy cabs. Hopefully you get inspired from what I've done, and get in touch if I can help you out in any way with your Lindbergh project.

 

[djsheep]

Nice work and good write up! Time to play some games...