DIY mahjong controller?

[Kujako]

Before I go on too deep a dive into building a mahjong controller, anyone know of an existing one? Seems simple enough, just a multiplexer and some buttons. But I'd like a PCB that can take keyboard microswitches. Shouldn't be hard to design, but I'm lazy and in the words of Homer Simpsons "can't somebody else do it?".

 

[Kujako]

Guessing no... best I was able to find was a picture of a PCB intended to adapt a Capacom Famicom mahjong controller for use with a Neo geo.

But no sign of it being produced or available.

My understanding is that we're just doing multiplexed inputs, combining two pins to ground for each input.

DB15 PIN	11​	2​	9​
15	UP	A​	H​	PON​
7	DOWN	B​	I​	CHI​
14	LEFT	C​	J​	KAN​
7	RIGHT	D​	K​	RON​
13	A	E​	L​	REACH​
5	B	F​	M​	-​
12	C	G​	N​	-​

 

[Kujako]

Picked up more mahjong games, still not gotten around to making a controller... too many projects, not enough time and energy.

 

[djsheep]

Maybe the Sigma Mahjong controller would be up your alley?

 

[ImportantBet]

Picked up more mahjong games, still not gotten around to making a controller... too many projects, not enough time and energy.

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p1173039943

Would this work for you? Not sure if it can do Neo Geo jong

 

[pierpa86]

Guessing no... best I was able to find was a picture of a PCB intended to adapt a Capacom Famicom mahjong controller for use with a Neo geo.

But no sign of it being produced or available.

My understanding is that we're just doing multiplexed inputs, combining two pins to ground for each input.

DB15 PIN	11​	2​	9​
15	UP	A​	H​	PON​
7	DOWN	B​	I​	CHI​
14	LEFT	C​	J​	KAN​
7	RIGHT	D​	K​	RON​
13	A	E​	L​	REACH​
5	B	F​	M​	-​
12	C	G​	N​	-​

i'm interested too in this PCB but we have to make it again.

 

[Kujako]

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/p1173039943

Would this work for you? Not sure if it can do Neo Geo jong

My understanding is that those are for JAMMA mahjong titles as is the Sigma one, it would be easy to rewire but I'm more interested in rebuilding something akin to the PCBs @pierpa86 referenced. It shouldn't be too complicated, but getting the size right to fit inside one of the famicom controllers will take some effort. I'm keeping an eye out for one I can get cheap and tear down. Then I'll extract the PCB, scan it, measure it and redo what was done back in 2015. If it all works, I'll upload the files. But so far I've not found a controller over here in 'merica at a price I'm willing to pay. But given that the original ones are going for $1200...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/305633235664

The idea is that the aforementioned PCB drops into one of the famicom controllers like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/314449407507
I'm just hoping that someone else out there has done the work so I don't gotta.

 

[pierpa86]

no way ask to neo masta for project ? on forum ?

 

[Kujako]

no way ask to neo masta for project ? on forum ?

Others with more patience than me have tried. They seemed adamant about only selling them in limited numbers and never making the files available. I did find a famicom controller for ~$18, but it's shipping from japan so will be awhile before I can take a look.

 

[Fluffy]

I came up with this design using cherry switches:

It is completely untested though, I didn't even double-check the schematic... At the moment it is easier for me to sneak in some time on the computer than to actually build anything.
If you have an existing Mahjong panel it may be easier to rewire that... You do need an MVS (or AES) that puts out 1-3 onto the joypad port, if you use a joypad port on a supergun you need an MVS that puts the output pins onto an extension connector.

Attached is a KiCad 9.0 project. Again, completely untested.

Edit: Slightly updated to fit an IDC connector for the joypad and a JST connector for out.

 

[Kujako]

I came up with this design using cherry switches:

It is completely untested though, I didn't even double-check the schematic... At the moment it is easier for me to sneak in some time on the computer than to actually build anything.
If you have an existing Mahjong panel it may be easier to rewire that... You do need an MVS (or AES) that puts out 1-3 onto the joypad port, if you use a joypad port on a supergun you need an MVS that puts the output pins onto an extension connector.

Attached is a KiCad 9.0 project. Again, completely untested.

Edit: Slightly updated to fit an IDC connector for the joypad and a JST connector for out.

Good stuff, but for my purposes I want to try and work out a hand held controller.

 

[Fluffy]

Good stuff, but for my purposes I want to try and work out a hand held controller.

Use the same schematic but use those tiny push buttons?

Maybe with a 3D printed case?

 

[Kujako]

Use the same schematic but use those tiny push buttons?

Maybe with a 3D printed case?

I kind of started down that route, building a controller on a bread board. But I think I'm going to go the route of scanning and modifying the famicom controller board. I understand why it was used before, since it's already wired with a DB15 connector. There's no active components, so it should be fairly easy to work out. Of course having finally found and paid for one, eBay is now flooded with the things... ah well.

 

[Kujako]

Mail-call, it's adorable.

 

[pierpa86]

Maybe the Sigma Mahjong controller would be up your alley?

anyone know the model of that buttons ?

 

[buffi]

anyone know the model of that buttons ?

Pretty sure thats Seimitsu JB-35T. Also used in some jong panels for cabs.
They are no longer produced.

 

[Kujako]

Pretty sure thats Seimitsu JB-35T. Also used in some jong panels for cabs.
They are no longer produced.

Are Sanwa OBSF-24KK drop in replacements? Thought I read that someplace...

 

[ImportantBet]

You're thinking of the RM-TO buttons

 

[pierpa86]

Pretty sure thats Seimitsu JB-35T. Also used in some jong panels for cabs.
They are no longer produced.

i'm trying to find datasheet to draw footprint on pcb ..

 

[pierpa86]