Brook Retro Board Frequently Asked Questions - Installation
Install Questions – ARCADESHOCK Install Graphic: Dual Mod with UFB in a NON-STACK setup
Installation Questions – What Fight Sticks can I use this on?
This is 100% up to you! The easiest install is in a stacked install in the Panzer Fight Stick 3, in my opinion. However, any fight stick with room to add extra equipment will work with the Brook Retro Board when hooked up properly.
There are MANY ways to install in each fight stick, I do not have each stick instructions available. I can create guides for each, however, it will require a significant investment in fight sticks and time meaning each would video/guide would need some sort of sponsor.
Generically, you will need to do something like this:
- Get an RJ45 connector on the housing of the case. This may require drilling into plastic to install it.
- Solder the existing USB cable to the J7 USB pins on the RETRO BOARD.
- Connect all of the buttons/joystick signals to the RETRO BOARD via the screw terminals or the 20 pin connector.
Installation Questions – Can I use my existing UFB in my Panzer with the Brook Retro Board?
This is an easy question and answer, but potentially a difficult one to execute. The short answer is YES, you absolutely can use your existing UFB with the Retro Board.
Option 1 (Soldering required only):
1. Pick up the Brook Retro Board and ensure you choose the following options:
- CAT 5 Pass Through Connector. You will need to replace the USB connector to use the Retro Board properly.
- Board Spacers. You will need these to proper screw the boards together in the Panzer Fight Stick.
- Short RJ45 connector. You will replace the internal USB cable with the CAT5 cable. There is NO USB connector on the RETRO BOARD.
- USB Pass Through Header. This will be soldered to the BOTTOM of the existing UFB and connect to the RETRO BOARD.
2. You will need some short wire pieces. About 2″ in length, specially 20 pieces. Strip a small bit off each side of the wire.
3. Remove the existing UFB, internal USB cable, and Neutrik/Switchcraft USB adapter from the case.
4. Install the Neturik RJ45 adapter in the case. You can transplant your gasket to save money, which is why I didn’t mention it above.
5. Before installing the Brook Retro Board into the Panzer, install a piece of wire in each of the 20 screw terminals. We will jump these to the UFB later. Doing it before you install it in the case will make it MUCH easier.
6. Install the Retro Board into the Panzer. Use the Board spacers to hold it in place by screwing them into the standoffs pressed in the case.
7. Prep your UFB. Solder the 4pin adapter to the bottom of the RETRO Board. Place the pins in place on the bottom of the UFB and solder the pins that poke through on the TOP of the board. You can place the pins in the RETRO Board female connector and stack the board before soldering it to keep it all in place and make soldering easier if you want.
8. Install the UFB on top of the board spacers and connecting the 4 pin header for USB pass through to the Retro Board.
9. Connect the jumper wires from the Retro Board previously installed to the UFB. This is a 1:1 connection, so make sure you connect K1 to K1, P1 to P1, etc. The screw terminals on both boards are the same, so simply going left to right (or right to left) connecting each wire up.
10. Reconnect the 20 pin cable and both 4 pin cables to the Universal Fighting Board.
Option 2 (Soldering and Desoldering required):
1. Pick up the Brook Retro Board and ensure you choose the following options:
- CAT 5 Pass Through Connector. You will need to replace the USB connector to use the Retro Board properly.
- Board Spacers. You will need these to proper screw the boards together in the Panzer Fight Stick.
- Short RJ45 connector. You will replace the internal USB cable with the CAT5 cable. There is NO USB connector on the RETRO BOARD.
- USB Pass Through Header. This will be soldered to the BOTTOM of the existing UFB and connect to the RETRO BOARD.
2. Remove the existing UFB, internal USB cable, and Neutrik/Switchcraft USB adapter from the case.
3. Install the Neturik RJ45 adapter in the case. You can transplant your gasket to save money, which is why I didn’t mention it above.
4. Install the Retro Board into the Panzer. Use the Board spacers to hold it in place by screwing them into the standoffs pressed in the case.
5. Prep your UFB.
- Desolder the 20 pin header from the UFB.
- Solder the 4pin adapter to the bottom of the RETRO Board. Place the pins in place on the bottom of the UFB and solder the pins that poke through on the TOP of the board. You can place the pins in the RETRO Board female connector and stack the board before soldering it to keep it all in place and make soldering easier if you want.
- Do the same for the included 20 Pin connector. The “plastic” portion of the 20 Pin goes on the BOTTOM of the UFB.
6. Install the UFB on top of the board spacers and connecting the 4/20 pin headers to the Retro Board.
7. Reconnect the 20 pin cable and both 4 pin cables to the Universal Fighting Board.
Installation Questions – Brook Retro Board Installation in Panzer Fight Stick 3
The Brook Retro Board can be installed in any Panzer Fight Stick every sold. The level of difficulty with each may differ slightly. I will cover the Panzer 3 (and by extension the Panzer 2.0) in this article.
1. The Brook Retro Board can be used 100% on its own. You do not need to couple it with any other Brook products for it to work. I include a 20 pin male to male adapter for the Retro Board so you can connect the Panzer 3 EZ BUILD cable to it easily. The other cables (L3/R3 and DP/LS/RS) will connect as normal. Note: in the image below the connector for DP/LS/RS is not shown. See image below:
2. You can “stack” the Universal Fighting Board ON TOP of the Brook Retro Board coupling the 20 pin signal connection and the 4 pin USB pass through to the Retro Board if you want to use both PCBs. See the image below for how these stack electronically:
3. In both situations you will use a NEUTRIK CAT 5 RJ-45 Adapter to connect the RETRO BOARD to the outside of the case. This is an available option with the RETRO BOARD when purchased from jasenscustoms.com. It bolts into place just like the USB connector. Once the Adapter is installed you will connect a short CAT 5 Ethernet cable between the RETRO BOARD and the ADAPTER.
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