Powering coin slot lights, what's the best solution?

[Cleverone]

Hi, I ordered some of those Nova Gem CDR coin slots, and was gonna use a wall wart transformer to power the lights on them, and wanted to know if anyone has done this for there coin slot lights?  I built my cab from scratch running MAMe with Mala FE (invaders). I had also heard of hack a USB powered mouse or whatever with usb connector and using that to power the coin lights, your thoughts ideas. I know about the computer power supply, but my computer (HP) dont make it easy to get to the power supple,plus my surge protector has available space for plug-ins. Thanks and as you can see it is my first post, and happy to join here.

[Malenko]

I used a molex Y splitter and spliced in the power wires. Best? dunno. Easy? Yeah.

[wweumina]

PC Power supply is probbably your best bet.  If you don't have an available or accessible 5v line, you could always rig up or buy a 'double adaptor' for one of the used connections.

[spauldingd]

Its really easy to tap into one of the power connectors on the PC.  If you don't have a spare one, you can get a cheap Y adapter for a couple bucks.  This video details how to do it:

http://www.gameroommag.com/retroblast-articles/video-reviews/447-coin-door-lights-super-bright-leds

Dave in Des Moines

[Dazz]

I'm converting my coin-slot lights to 5v LED's and running 5v power from my LED-Wiz.  Less power consumption and runs from USB.  You can also program them to flash if you want.  I've found that the 12v lights that come with coin doors get way too hot and they just don't appear to be very bright powering via Molex from the 12v rail.

[kegger]

http://www.xoxide.com/pci-power-bracket.html

I use this to power stuff off the PC

It makes it very simple

[andrewbean90]

thanks for the vid it seems helpful

[shrunkenmaster]

You can use a standard USB lead to get 5v if you want. Just ignore the two data wires. USB pinout here:

[Thenasty]

http://www.xoxide.com/pci-power-bracket.html

I use this to power stuff off the PC

It makes it very simple

I made my own out of a PS2. Back in the days when PS2 connector was available via bracket style. I just snip the cable and added the end piece to connect it to the PSU. Then took a extension PS2 cable and use that to connect to my coin door lights (etc) or fans requiring +5 or 12V.

[Cleverone]

ok  thanks for all the replies. I want to know if I could use 1 USB connection for the 2 coin slot lights. You know 1 USB connection with the 2 coin light wires connected to 1 USB cable? Or should I do 2 separate connections in 2 different USB ports. What about using a USB hub with 4 ports could I do something like that, or do they need to be in the ports and not a hub? Thanks. 

[bkenobi]

USB is an option, but remember that it has a limited current available to power ALL USB devices.  If you use an external powered hub, this is less of a problem.  Either way, just be aware that USB is not really meant to be a power source as opposed to a POWER SUPPLY UNIT.   

[romshark]

I use a seperate "wall wart" power supply for my coin lights, but that's because my cab also does Naomi and Jamma. I can run my lights without turning on the PC, or turn them off when doing maintenence on the PC.

[mwong168]

I've found that the 12v lights that come with coin doors get way too hot and they just don't appear to be very bright powering via Molex from the 12v rail.

They look dim or not very bright because the bulbs are rated for 14V.  I will be switching mine to LED's as well and on my bartop I used a the 5V line from a floppy drive power connector.  The wire that came with the Nova CDR fit in it perfect so I just shoved it in and put some electrical tape around it to hold.



I had it hooked up to 12V by accident and was wondering why the panel was screaming "yoga fire" while I was playing SFII lol  Good thing my panel was not on the cab completely so I saw the smoke but I'm sure I could have smelled it.   

[andrewbean90]

I love the idea of doing these on the usb to just power them

[scuba465]

I just bought a cabinet and took the coin doors to work and tested them and it's a 12v system so I am gonna just use a power converter. Just pull up the manual from the maker of the unit and it will tell you how many volts they are.

[lisowskikevin]

What route did you end up going?