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Lighting question for Tron-type control project
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Serious:
Hi everyone,

I am new here, so please  forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong area.

I am planning to build a Tron-style control which would be in a case that would be resting in the player's lap.

I have most of the parts that I think I am going to need for this project, but I'd very much like for the unit to have lighting (because what is a Tron control without illumination of some type?)

I have a number of questions concerning Tron lighting, and how to effectively light the unit, that I am hoping someone on here will be able to answer.

First, my understanding is that there are two types of blacklight (BL and BLB), and that the Tron arcade cabinet uses both. This is described on Glow Inc's web site: http://glowinc.com/glow-in-the-dark/black-light.aspx. What I do not know is which type of blacklight is used in what parts of the cabinet. I am most specifically interested in the light that would illuminate the stick.

Second, since this control would be sitting in the user's lap, I am reluctant to run AC to it. So I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on alternatives, such as whether or not there'd be any good battery-powered options for blacklight (or something that could produce a similar effect? I'm also concerned about the possibility of glass breaking, so perhaps I should be looking into LED lighting?

Third, if the lighting would be inside the case, I'm wondering what would be a good way for the light to illuminate the stick or the unit? If I use a Happ trigger stick, is it possible (without modification) to light it internally? Or perhaps I should have holes in the unit covered with plexi, to allow light to shine through and onto the stick externally?

I appreciate any insight you experienced people may have that will help me with my project.

Thanks in advance!


paigeoliver:
There wouldn't be any reason to use a blacklight on a hand held (or lap top) controller. Tron used blacklights to highlight a whole bunch of cabinet artwork that doesn't exist on a hand held controller.

You can illuminate the stick and the buttons with blue LEDs and they can tap into the same 5 volt source that powers whatever encoder you use. You will get the same effect.
Serious:
Thanks for the advice.

Do you have any suggestions on a source for the LEDs I might use?


PL1:
Welcome aboard, Serious.

If you're placing an order with RandyT over at GGG, he has ButtonBlaster LEDs that come with the correct current limiting resistor for 5v.

I used 3 of these to light a 3" trackball.

They work so well that if I had to redo the trackball lightng, I would only use two of them.

Randy isn't kidding when he writes, "don't look directly into them, or you might be seeing them long after you cut the power!"   :dizzy:


Scott
RandyT:
There are also UV LED's out there.  I haven't tried this, but it may be possible to wire the TRON stick to hold some of these internally to get the glow effect.

Regular LED's will work for illumination, but the effect may not be exactly what you are after.  Could still look pretty cool though.
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