MaLa Hardware (Copyright by D.Mölders, http://www.jasons-arcade.de)


INTRODUCTION:
MaLa Hardware enables you to connect a lcd from 1 x 16 up to 4 x 40 characters and up to 64 leds to your cab. The lcd can display various information from games, gamelists and more and the leds can be used to light your buttons as shown on the pictures above controlled by game information. MaLa Hardware itself is connected by usb to your computer. Two versions are available:

• Lcd and 16 leds
• 32 leds

You can connect one or two boards to your computer and the following combinations are possible:

• Lcd and 16 leds (1 board)
• 32 leds (1 board)
• Lcd and 48 leds (2 boards)
• 64 leds (2 boards)

The LCD can display various information such as game info, controls and the currently playing background MP3 Music. The LED’s can be used to light your buttons. These LED's run in either ‘Attract mode’ or ‘Game Info’ Mode. ‘Attract Mode’ occurs while no selection is being made. This is like a ‘eye candy’ screensaver (WYSIWYG Attract Mode Editor is included to design your own LED sequences). ‘Game Info Mode’ occurs while making a game selection. It lights up the appropriate buttons depending on what game is highlighted eg Players, coins and buttons.

As stated ablove MaLa Hardware itself is connected via USB to your computer. One USB connection is required for the LED display and two if you wish to add a LCD display. The second USB connection is only needed for the LCD power requirements. The LCD display is not included in the kit, this is because there are many options and you should choose a model to suit your needs. Purchase a HD44780 compatible controller. They easy to find on the internet. 4x20 or 2x40 displays give a great result but other resolutions such as 2 x 16 and 4x40 are supported. I have noted some web links at the end of this document.

ASSEMBLY (Skip this section if you purchased a pre-assembled board)

Typical Components Supplied for the Lcd and 16 leds Board are: (subject to slight change) 
1 MaLa circuit board. 20 Resistors, 2 x Capacitors, 1 x Resonator , 4 x IC’s, 2 USB Plugs, 2 USB Cables, 5 mounting feet, screws. 3 Rainbow Ribbon Cables with Plugs attached, 16 x Led’s & 16 Pre Cut shrink wrap pieces, 2 trim pots.

Assembly is fairly straight forward. You should easily be able to complete the task with basic soldering skills. Refer to the pictures for component placement (Note: there are slight variations in board versions so refer to the appropriate picture) .

Pictures: Click on them to obtain full size

• Lcd and 16 leds - 




• 32 leds & No LCD  ....It's very similar I'm sure you can work it out  :-) 

I would recommend mounting the Bridges first. 
You can use wire or 0hm resisters (whatever is supplied or use spare wire you may have)

 Be careful not to overheat components or accidentally bridge other parts of the circuit with solder. 
The only capacitor you have to be concerned in regards to it's orientation is the one near to the lower USB port. Place it so that the + is nearest to the USB port. The other capacitor and the blue resonator are not affected by polarity. Place the ICs the same way as shown on the picture. 
LED’s: The LED’s obviously only function one way, so take care when soldering to Rainbow ribbon cable then. Don’t forget to place the heat shrink on first.
LCD: Refer to the table below for connection details. The E1 & E2 connectors are only required for a larger LCD such as a 4x 40 Display.

Testing: As stated above only one USB connection is required (The Bottom one) if you don’t intend to use a LCD. The second USB connection is only required to power a LCD display.
 To ensure the LED’s and circuit board has been connected correctly you can use MaLa ‘LED config screen’. Here you will find ’click on’ buttons. With these you can turn each LED on individually one at a time to ensure you have not accidentally bridged a connection on the board. The LCD should state something like “MaLa Vx.x Ready to play” when you launch MaLa. 


MOUNTING:
LED’s: I drilled 5mm holes in the bottom of the buttons and just popped them in, without glue. Ensure the LEDS legs are well insulated first with the heat shrink wrap to avoid them shorting out on the metal springs within the buttons. Yellow and White buttons appear to have to best visual effect.

LCD: Every Mame cabinet table is different, so position wherever you like. You can’t use a very long cable to connect the LCD so take that into account when mounting the MaLa Hardware circuit board. I also recommend placing the LCD behind Perspex/glass to avoid damage to this fragile component.

LINKS:
Some internet Links to Purchase LCD:
USA: http://character-lcd-lcds.shopeio.com
GER:  http://www.reichelt.de/index.html
or try ebay or a Google search

Connecting your MaLa hardware LCD Display

*E1 & E2 are only required for 4x40 or 4x27 Displays.  Then E is not used obvioulsy.

Note: After connection and setting what LCD you have in options-hardware you will probably have to re-start mala for it to work correctly.