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FLYNN'S - Almost finished! :)
RetroRik:
:D Sorry MV...
I can't take credit for the idea though. Seen it some place else. Just can't remember where..
I have made the Discs Of Tron Deflect button on my stick build using an LED in the same way.
My USB powered hub can output a max of 0.75 amps so as long as my LED setup doesn't draw much it will work fine.
Just make sure you use the correct Resistor for the LED and current of the LED... :cheers:
http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz
RIK
MaxVolume:
Thanks again, Rik. I'll check the link for info about the resistor, since I had no idea one would be required. I remember from way back that resistance = heat, so I'm a bit hesitant for fear I'll melt my buttons. So, do you just take the plunger out, mount the LED inside, and put the button back together? Is there room to run a wire out, or did you have to drill? When I think "TRON" I think translucency, so I'm not quite sure I'd like the look of solid buttons lit up from within. Would love to see more example pics of your CP build, for purposes of deciding whether to follow your lead as well as just general curiosity.
RetroRik:
Hi MV...
Mounting is simple. My button looks like this...
When i take the Micro Switch off the underside looks like this... Note there is even a mark where i drill... 8)
The resulting hole i will just push the LED into. It fits snug when you use the correct drill bit. If not just glue.
The legs of the LED can just be bent 90 degress either side and the micro switch clicks back into place with space to spare..
The resistor is used as the LED has a milliamp rating. ( current that can flow through it before going POP.! )
The resistor protects the LED from surges also.
The only bit that will touch the button is the LED and they only get warm. Even the high power one i am using. The resistor also only warm as only using 5V and low milliampage.
You could if you want attach the LEDs to a controller like the Ultimarc Pacled64. Im not doing this though.
http://www.ultimarc.com/pacled64.html
Cheers
RIK
Nephasth:
How's these buttons for a Tron-ish look?
You can make any color combo you want. The ones pictured are clear translucent ILs mixed with black from Paradise Arcade Shop, using their IL-lumination RGB LEDs to light them.
With some extra work, you can do something similar with the joysticks...
MaxVolume:
Thanks for the pics and explanation, Rik. My buttons are very similar, but much longer, so an LED on the bottom would have a dimmer glow. Might still work, but I don't think I'll bother. I'm okay with just the glowing trackball.
Nephasth, thanks for the pics... I really like the "beasts", but my project has some warts that I think illumination would just make more obvious. Luckily, the laser-cut trackball hole is perfect, but other things like the bolt holes, etc. are far from it. I had originally considered adding lights between two layers of my monitor bezel, but that's another area where things are a bit rough, not to mention the potential for glare on the monitor. They could also be a bit distracting, so for all those reasons I gave up on the lighted bezel idea. Similarly, I think I'm going to relent on the lighted buttons thing. I really like how one builder here accidentally lit up his whole plexi, but having a layer of plexi over the control panel is another thing I'm just not into.
It's always nice to see what others have done, even though it makes me wish my projects came out looking so good. Still, I'm very happy about how FLYNN'S has turned out. For the most part, I'm just so tired of working on the "hardware" parts of my cabinet and am very anxious to start on the software part... and of course the, um, "playtesting". ;D
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