A great install starts with clean power. The good news: the ArcadePay Controller is easy to power, and most machines already have exactly what it needs inside the cabinet.
Here is a quick guide to picking the right power source so your controller boots up happy and stays that way, stop after stop.
Start With the Machine's 12V Rail
Most ArcadePay installs use the machine's standard 12V DC rail. If you are using the Easy Coin Mechanism Connector or a CandyMachines or Neofuns plug-and-play harness, just follow those steps in the install guide. Power choices mostly come up on hardwire and pinball installs.
On a hardwire install, the typical wire functions are:
- Yellow: 12V power
- Black: ground
- Brown: Pulse 1, usually credits or cash reporting
- Pink: Pulse 2, often the prize sensor when supported
Anything From 12V Up to 24V DC Works
The ArcadePay Controller accepts up to 24V DC on its power input. That gives you flexibility. A power line that runs a little hot, like a 13.5V rail, is fine, and so is a 24V DC source, as long as it is DC and stays at or under 24V.
Pinball operators, this one is for you. On modern Stern titles, the CN1 header gives you 12V on Pin 1 and ground on Pin 8, so power is right there. On older pre-Spike Stern boards, any rail in the 12V to 24V DC range is safe to use, including boards where the 12V audio line runs at 13.5V.
No Convenient Tap? Use a Separate DC Adapter
Some cabinets do not expose an easy power point. That is no problem. A separate DC power supply or AC adapter that outputs clean 12V to 24V DC can power the controller on its own. Run the credit signal to Pulse 1 as usual.
Keep Line Voltage Off Your Pulse Wires
ArcadePay pulse inputs carry a low-voltage credit signal only. They are not an AC power splice. On machines with 110V parts, like some bill validators, keep the validator's power on its own harness and tap only the low-voltage credit pulse into ArcadePay. If you are not sure which wires are line voltage and which are credit contacts, stop and meter them with the power off.
Your Power-Up Checklist
- Power off the machine before you connect or disconnect any wiring.
- Connect power and ground first, then your pulse wire.
- Power the machine back on and look for the blue light. One blue light means the controller is powered on.
- Watch for the blinking red light, which means it is connected. If you already did first connect at home, this is usually quick.
- Open Machines in your ArcadePay dashboard, confirm Online, and send a test play to confirm the machine credits correctly.
The Takeaway
Use the machine's 12V rail when it is there, remember that anything up to 24V DC is fine, reach for a separate DC adapter when there is no easy tap, and keep line voltage off your pulse wires. Do that and every install starts on solid ground.
Helpful references: ArcadePay Controller Installation Overview, How to Install ArcadePay on a Stern Pinball Machine, and Power On Your Controller at Home Before You Go On-Site.
Not sure which power point to use on your machine? Email ops@arcadepay.app with the machine model and a photo of the wiring area, and we will be glad to help you pick the best spot.
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