Converting CP into LED lighted.

[rivacom]

So I've decided, I really like the LED lit control panels and decided to do my own.  I love the one's that have multiple colors.  So maybe people can help me pick out all the parts I need.

I want these for the buttons http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=238

Also found these joysticks http://compare.ebay.com/like/130448125746?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=171744369212&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=%3F*S%3F&GUID=6ef3c26712c0a47a2f44cc64ffc29fe2&itemid=130448125746&ff4=263602_304662

Does anyone know where to get these retail? or one's that change multiple colors?

Anywho, those are the two additions, what else would I need for this? Switches? New Wiring? LED Wiz?  I already have a Jpac for the controls, so if I don't need a LED Wiz, that would save me a few dollars.

[drventure]

If you want full color buttons, you'll need RGB leds (ie a single LED that has Red green and blue LED's embedded within it. To control those, however, requires 3 ports on an LEDwiz.

So if you've got a CP with 2 players, 6 buttons each and 2 sticks that are lit, that means a minimum of (6 + 1) *2 * 3 or 42 ports necessary. So you'll need at least 1 LEDWiz 32 port and one 16 port.

Plus, you have to have a 3 resistors for EACH LED (one for each color). Plus lots of wire. Plus a USB hub or enough ports to plug the extra devices into.

In short, it makes a pretty cool CP (if not a bit "circus'y") and it's not a HUGE outlay, but it'll cost.

And if you have a 4 player CP, ugh. Mine I used single color LEDs just as indicator lights, so it was a little simpler.

There's several projects on the boards here of full color panels.

[BobA]

Paradise Arcade Shop is a vendor in the Buy and Sell forum.  They have an online shop as well.

ParadiseArcadeShop

[rivacom]

Ok so let me list out my parts here and see if I left out anything.  I'm going to do away with the multi color(maybe in the future).  Let's stick with two color(Blue and yellow(Sabres colors =)))  Using the buttons like http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=341

So 6 button per person, plus 2 extra for player 1/2 and enter/exit buttons.

14 button = 2.15*14 = 34.40

2 Joysticks(http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/119-paradise-led-bubble-top-arcade-joystick.html) = 25 * 2 = $50

LED-Wiz™ 32-port USB Lighting and Output Controller(Assuming single color uses 1 port each) $45


So $129.40 for the whole CP correct?(Plus wire costs?)

Also has anyone had experience with those joysticks?  Is it better to do a color led in a  white nob? or Clear LED in the Already colored Nob?  or just do A color led with the same color nob?

[BobA]

The list looks ok based on single color LEDs in the PBs.   The draw of that many PBs when all on will exceed a USB port max so you will have to wire the external power on the LED wiz so that a drive connector can supply the power.

[Donkbaca]

You actually don't need to wire power to the LED wiz, it draws the power it needs for itself off the USB.  It also has a place that allows you to tap into the USB 5v to use for your lights.   That isn't that many lights, I think it should work fine if the USB is plugged into the computer, if you are plugging into a hub, make sure its powered and you will be fine.

You can also just tap the 5v line from a molex.   I am using 12v lights drawing power off of my computer power supply.  The only reason you would attach an external power supply would be if you are mixing voltages and want to use the banks, otherwise, you daisy chain the positives to the anodes of the LED's then you connect the individual grounds to the LED wiz along with the ground for whatever external supply you are using.

[rivacom]

Great!

Also has anyone had experience with those joysticks?  Is it better to do a color led in a  white nob? or Clear LED in the Already colored Nob?  or just do A color led with the same color nob?

[Donkbaca]

Just send them an e-mail, Bryan is super good about getting back to you. I got my buttons from them, the chrome bezeled ones.  I LOVE them, swapped out the standard micro's for their 20g micros.  Smooth as silk.  I had my brother in law make a comment on how sweet they were, and he's not even a big aracade guy.  Anyways, I had the same question regarding getting colored buttons and the same colored lights, colored lights and clear buttons or clear lights and colored buttons.  He recommended I go with colored/colored.  He even said that if I didn't like the way they looked, I could send them back and swap them out. 

 My admin buttons though, are clear with colored buttons, and i think they look good. 

I would just e-mail him, tell him the look you are going for and I am sure he will help you out. 

Oh and if you are looking for buttons, give his a shot.  I dig them.

[Mr.Ian]

Hi, I have one of these joysticks from Paradise Arcade. Mine is a Blue Crystal Ball top, with Either a blue or White LED. This thing looks great unlit, and  amazing lit up.

I Also cant recommend the seller enough. Fantastic Communication, Great Products and very quick postage, and im living in Australia. My only gripe is that these are not yet available in RGB Leds

They are also listed on ebay, Here is a link of things for sale

http://shop.ebay.com.au/paradisearcadeshop_com/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Havent used the joystick yet, still building, but by all reports they are great

you wont regret ordering a few

 

[JohnnyRocket76]

I dont mean to highjack your thread but does anyone know how to do this?