getting a keg into my arcade cab...

[DJ_DEEM]

so i've seen a few kegerators built into custom mame cabs. Everyone seems to love these things, but i've always had one big problem, i love the feel of an actual classic cab. I just came into a free kegarator a buddy of mine was looking to get rid of. So i have officially started the planning to get it into my ninja gaiden gutted mame cab. i will be posting pics. of the whole process and how it turns out, i was just wondering if anyone has done anything like this with an original cab and had any tips. The only thing i'm really worried about is that my cab is kinda on the small side, it was originally one of those skinnier space ace ones, which has
been amazing for getting it into new apartments and such but might prove to be a hassle when trying to jam a fridge into it. Either way i'm super excited about having a new project with this cab! Wish me luck!

[Superman]

I had never heard of kegerators before, but it sounds like a neat concept. You definitely have to give us some pictures and let us know how it goes.

[XYXZYZ]

I'm going to build an arcade machine where the monitor bezel area is full of Skittles. And there's a crank on the coin door... when you insert a coin and turn the crank, Skittles come out of the coin return slot.

[TRM]

I can also offer you no advice, and as the poster above, have never heard of a kegerator before. However, seeing that I much prefer beer on tap than from a bottle or, god forbid, a can, that is a pretty awesome idea...even if buying a keg worth of my favourite beers would cost be a handsome amount.

Good luck, and please do post some pics when you get it done!

[Ed Oscuro]

I hate to be a party pooper on the arcade kegerator (again, we've had this topic recently), because beer is good, and arcade games are good. But beer on arcade games is not good. Also, nobody serious about arcade games is going to be using a LCD screen that you can just run a hose behind (unless you're using a MAME cab). For PCBs I just don't see this working due to the size of and heat generated by a CRT monitor, and you're just adding more heat due to the compressor. Actually, even for a MAME cab I think that the compressor is not going to be especially good for your computer components.

Also, who really wants friends reaching around their back to grab more beer and spilling it over your CP and all that?

[MachineGex]

Neat idea and I look forward to seeing your progress. Make sure you plan it out very well or it could end up looking kinda "silly" (for lack of a better word). I am sure you will figure out a way to make it look professional and not homemade. That would be my biggest concern, but like I said, I am sure you can avoid that kinda mess.

Best of luck!

[Baloo]

OK, a kegerator on an arcade cabinet looks terribly tacky.

[bb_hood]

I'm going to build an arcade machine where the monitor bezel area is full of Skittles. And there's a crank on the coin door... when you insert a coin and turn the crank, Skittles come out of the coin return slot.

WHHHAAATTTT? That saound awesome!!!

[otoko]

I'm going to build an arcade machine where the monitor bezel area is full of Skittles. And there's a crank on the coin door... when you insert a coin and turn the crank, Skittles come out of the coin return slot.

Holy shit.. I think I just spooged my pants.

[DJ_DEEM]

i appreciate all the input. here is a few things that have already been thought out, the plan is to seperate the top and bottom half of the cab. so that there would be no crossover between liquid and computer. i am currently using a older PC monitor that is massive, i wouldn't mind still using it if there is enough room, but I'm guessing there isn't so going to a lighter flat panel seems to be the best option. The plan is to cut out the whole section beneath the control panel and turn it into a swinging door for access to the front of the fridge. I will be avoiding the hassle of people trying to get beer by putting the tap and tray on the side of the cab where there is plenty of access without getting in the way of anyone playing. A good buddy of mine who does carpentry and has built a few very nice custom bars with taps in them has signed on for the project so I'm not worried about the thing looking nice at all. in order to cut down space i will be stripping the computer and mounting just the essential parts right to the inside of the cab. I don't need a CD drive or anything like that as it is hitched into my network and i just update anything like that. I shouldn't have any problems with heat seeing as the hose that will be carrying the beer will be very short and insulated anyway, most bars have a good amount of hose between the fridge and tap and don't have problems. i have been putting a lot of thought into this and think it will be a worthwhile mod. Work on the project should begin in the next week or so, depending on when i get a day or two off from work! i will keep you guys posted, as always comments and criticism are welcome!

also a side note, sure buying a keg is expensive but not nearly as much as buying them in bottles..

[Ed Oscuro]

Thanks, keep us updated, I'm hoping it will go smoothly! The only thing I could add at this point is that you'll want to pay close attention to the heat flow of components so you don't tax the compressor too far or burn up the PC. It sounds like you've got this under control though!

:cheers:


Holy shit.. I think I just spooged my pants.
Just died of diabeetus

[XYXZYZ]

So what kind of cabinet is Ninja Gaiden in? If you want to do it right, you can find a Tapper cabinet and gut it. Normally you'll get flamed off the internet for hacking up a classic, but a even the KLOV gang couldn't complain about a Tapper machine that actually dispenses beer.

http://www.videogamecritic.net/photos/vgx1/tapper.jpg

By the way, I've finished my project.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa56/XYXZYZ/Temp/skittlescab.jpg
"Candy cab":wink 2:
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa56/XYXZYZ/Temp/candycab.jpg

Okay, I'll stop gumming up DJ's thread now.

[DJ_DEEM]

those skittles machines are amazing! i hope you actully make one of those!

it's originally a space ace cab like this one

http://www.bossyman15.com/gallery/ca06pic/dragon%27s%20lair_space%20ace_thayer%27s%20quest.J PG
that was at one point converted to a ninja gaiden, and gutted by a fellow dp'er at some point years ago which i picked up mid-mame conversion off him quite a few years back. the layout of the machine is the reason i think i will need to go flat panel because as you can see the monitor is sunk in quite a bit. seems like there should be enough room though.