fast:¶
Config file section
| Valid in machine config files | YES |
| Valid in mode config files | NO |
The fast: section of your machine-wide config is where you
configure hardware options that are specific to the FAST Pinball
Controller. Note that we have a how to guide which includes
all the FAST-specific settings throughout your entire config file,
so be sure to read that if you have FAST hardware.
fast:
ports: com3, com4, com5
fast:
ports: com3, com4, com5
Required settings¶
The following sections are required in the fast: section of your config:
default_normal_debounce_close:¶
Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings) .
Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
configured with debounce: normal when they close.
Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
mpfconfig.yaml file, (with a value of 10ms), so you don’t have to
enter it here unless you want to override that.
Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override it for any switch in that switch’s config.
default_normal_debounce_open:¶
Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings) .
Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
configured with debounce: normal when they open.
Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
mpfconfig.yaml file, (with a value of 10ms), so you don’t have to
enter it here unless you want to override that.
Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override it for any switch in that switch’s config.
default_quick_debounce_close:¶
Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings) .
Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
configured with debounce: quick when they close.
Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
mpfconfig.yaml file, (with a value of 2ms), so you don’t have to
enter it here unless you want to override that.
Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override it for any switch in that switch’s config.
default_quick_debounce_open:¶
Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings) .
Specifies the default value for the debounce time for switches that are
configured with debounce: quick when they open.
Even though this is listed as a required setting, this entry is in the
mpfconfig.yaml file, (with a value of 2ms), so you don’t have to
enter it here unless you want to override that.
Also, keep in mind that this setting is only a default. You can override it for any switch in that switch’s config.
ports:¶
List of one (or more) values, each is a type: string.
A comma-separated list of the serial port names your FAST controller uses.
Optional settings¶
The following sections are optional in the fast: section of your config. (If you don’t include them, the default will be used).
config_number_format:¶
Single value, type: string. Default: hex
This setting controls whether you to specify the addresses of your lights, LEDs, coils, and switches by their integer values or as hex values. Note if you configure your driverboards: as wpc (in the hardware: section), then you also have the option of using the original WPC numbers from your operators manual.
debug:¶
Single value, type: boolean (Yes/No or True/False). Default: False
See the documentation on the debug setting for details.
hardware_led_fade_time:¶
Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings) . Default: 0
Controls how quickly LEDs will fade to their new color when they receive a color instruction from MPF.
The default is 0, which means if you set an LED to be red, it will turn
red instantly. But if you set hardware_led_fade_time: 20, that means that
when an LED receives an instruction to turn RED, it will smoothly fade from
whatever color it is now to red over a period of 20ms.
You can play with different settings to pick something you like. Some people
prefer the instant 0ms snappiness that’s possible with LEDs. Others like to
set this value to something like 100ms which gives LEDs the more gentle
fade style reminiscent of incandescent bulbs.
watchdog:¶
Single value, type: time string (ms) (Instructions for entering time strings) . Default: 1000
The FAST controllers include a “watchdog” timer. A watchdog is a timer that is continuously counting down towards zero, and if it ever hits zero, the controller shuts off all the power to the drivers. The idea is that every time MPF runs a game loop (so, 30 times a second or whatever), MPF tells the FAST controller to reset the watchdog timer. So this timer is constantly getting reset and never hits zero.
But if MPF crashes or loses communication with the FAST controller, then this watchdog timer won’t be reset. When it hits zero, the FAST controller will kill the power to the drivers. This should prevent an MPF crash from burning up driver or somehow damaging your hardware in another way.
You can set the watchdog timer to whatever you want. (This is essentially the max time a driver could be stuck “on” if MPF crashes.) The default is 1 second which is probably fine for almost everyone, and you don’t have to include this section in your config if you want to use the default.
net_buffer:¶
Single value, type: integer. Default: 10
Max backlog for the NET port to prevent overflows in the FAST CPU.
rgb_buffer:¶
Single value, type: integer. Default: 3
Max backlog for the RGB port to prevent overflows in the FAST CPU.
dmd_buffer:¶
Single value, type: integer. Default: 3
Max backlog for the DMD port to prevent overflows in the FAST CPU.