Making U-Track ball brighter...

[rcub3]

I'm about done with my cab.  Currently just playing around with the myriad of software options, and all the lighting (buttons, etc). 

I'm trying to connect my U-Track to a PACLED64.  Per Andy from Ultimarc, I can connect the orange wire to the +, and 3 LED connections per wire color (R, G, and B) for 9 total.  Well, it works, but WOW is it dim.  I have a Pearl in place, and I can barely see any single color, even in low lighting.  Now...

-Is it because I'm connecting each of the RGB's to 3 channels each, and not getting enough current/volts/ma's to make the LED's look brighter?  Should I use a PACDRIVE instead as recommended on the site? 
-Should I just go with a transluscent trackball, and only use the matching RGB color on the LED module?  So pick a blue transluscent, and only use the blue colored LED...etc.

I have seen seen some videos on youtube showing how indeed the pearl doesn't seem to let light through that well.  The same video recommended switching to a transluscent ball.  But in that video (see below), the pearl loooked a lot better than mine under better lighting than what I tested mine. That's why I just wonder if I should just spend the $ on a PACDRIVE... 



(from http://rdowney.com/arcadeodyssey/ ....where I got most of my inspiration)

[Nephasth]

It may be due to each output on the PACLED64 being limited to only 20ma while trying to drive two LEDs from each output (you say you have 9 total, but I only see six on Ultimarc's page)... Try this, hookup your orange wire to 5v coming off of your power supply, and connect the other three to ground. More than likely it will be brighter, and might also help your decision in getting a PACDrive for this... Downside to the PACDrive is it can't dim LEDs, limiting your color choices, but it is just a trackball anyway.

[rcub3]

Sorry.  What I meant was that i'm connecting 3 channels from the PACLED to each color (RGB), so i'm using 9. Then I connected the orange to a +. Does that sound right? 

Yes, there are indeed 2 LED's per color on the module.

Thanks for the suggestion. I might try the pc PS connection to see what it should look like.

[bbee383]

I just finished up my first cabinet with the exact parts and I am also a little disappointed in how dim the trackball is...
Thought I had something wired wrong, but really haven't had the time to look at it yet.

[rcub3]

I decided to go with a blue transluscent ball and getting power directly from the power supply to the blue LED (like in the video). It looks better when connecting the blue LED's to the PS, but it's still really dim.

[nick3092]

I have the red ball, and I actually tapped the USB interface for the U-Trak to power the LED. Then ran the U-Trak interface to a powered hub. Lights up pretty good that way.

[taylormadelv]

I mounted THIS:
http://nicemite.com/LightmiteTB/LightmiteTB.htm
under my U-Track and I actually turn the brightness DOWN a bit! This thing is great and you can adjust just how bright you want it!

[yotsuya]

Thanks for that link. I just ordered one! 

[AndyWarne]

We now have a new version of the RGB illumination board with on-board MOSFET drivers for maximum brightness. We also changed the spec of the pearl ball but that was around 6 months ago. I can swap the LED board if you wish.

Andy

[yotsuya]

Just got my shipping confirmation on the LitemiteTB. Thanks, Whammoed!