I’m in the process of converting my SFII cab, well it’s up and running already. Took about 20 minutes total, but I’m using the stock stick and buttons for now, the latest revisions of their controls are a lot better than the first ones they put out, though obviously far from the best you can get. I had my original control module replaced recently due to a faulty left stick and I’m quite happy with the changes.
Anyway, only got player 1 up and running, I’ll get around to P2 eventually. Running a Raspberry Pi 4 and it’s just perfect.
Essentially, here’s my rundown.
Bought an LCD controller board, Raspberry Pi 4, pair of USB powered computer speakers and a USB Encoder. That was all to get me started.
Disconnected the monitor box inside the cabinet and replaced with new controller, took less than 5 minutes.
Took the joystick module off the cabinet, and cut the wires on the joystick.
Used the Spades and wires that came with the USB Encoder on the existing joystick (mine is the one that has 2, 5 pin connectors for each joystick) so, two spades for each direction, plugged into the 2 pin (4 of) joystick connectors on the USB encoder.
Unplugged the connectors for the buttons I was using, no extra work here, just move them straight over to the USB encoder in the correct positions.
Flashed the latest Lakka onto a Micro SD, plugged everything in, jobs a good un.
For my ROMs, I just connect to my server, that way I don’t need to worry about storage space, or getting to the Pi to add ROMs.
It really is very easy and of course you can go as daft as you like. Eventually I’ll be replacing my sticks and buttons (LED lit natch) and adding a few extra buttons at the same time. But I’m in no hurry.
And, here's a couple piccies of it in action since it's conversion.