$2 insert coin button for icade/bartop

[thebrokenjoystick]

I liked the placement of the insert coin on the icade so wanted to make it "real".  Here's my solution. a $2 lighted rectangular button, some graphics printed out, and some icade modifications (Dremel!). I still have to go to the dollar store to find something with a 5V LED to put in, instead of the 12v one that came with it.
 

[PL1]

I still have to go to the dollar store to find something with a 5V LED to put in, instead of the 12v one that came with it.

Before you do, try running the 12v LED on 5v.

Con:
- May be slightly less bright, but you may not even notice   

Pros:
- Lower current draw
- Longer LED life


Scott

[thebrokenjoystick]

I still have to go to the dollar store to find something with a 5V LED to put in, instead of the 12v one that came with it.

Before you do, try running the 12v LED on 5v.
Scott

I did - nothing.

[pbj]

It's probably either a #555 or #44/47 style bulb.  Grab one intended for a pinball machine and you're good to go.

[PL1]

I still have to go to the dollar store to find something with a 5V LED to put in, instead of the 12v one that came with it.

Before you do, try running the 12v LED on 5v.

I did - nothing.

That's odd.   

All of the 12v LEDs I've tried work great on 5v.

Any chance that you accidently reverse-biased the LED? (i.e. 5v and ground swapped)

It's probably either a #555 or #44/47 style bulb.  Grab one intended for a pinball machine and you're good to go.

The #555 LED bulb from Paradise Arcade works on 5v.  #44 or #47 LED bulbs should work, too.


Scott

[thebrokenjoystick]

Thanks for the advice... tried again tonight and switched + and - and it works with 5V! I swear i tried that. Thanks!

[thebrokenjoystick]

Wow - maybe everyone already knew this, but on the "Zero Delay Arcade USB Encoder", on mine there are two unmarked red connectors - those output 5V. You can use one of the extra wire with connectors they gave you, plug it in there and get 5V. I used that to power the LED on the insert coin button! If anyone wants pics of what I mean, let me know.

[PL1]

Thanks for the advice... tried again tonight and switched + and - and it works with 5V! I swear i tried that. Thanks!

Glad to assist.   

Wow - maybe everyone already knew this, but on the "Zero Delay Arcade USB Encoder", on mine there are two unmarked red connectors - those output 5V. You can use one of the extra wire with connectors they gave you, plug it in there and get 5V. I used that to power the LED on the insert coin button! If anyone wants pics of what I mean, let me know.

Related thread here.




Scott

[thebrokenjoystick]

Ah - ok, so it is already known. I thought I stumbled on something cool. Well, ti IS cool, just already known

[ballboff]

This is brilliant.  I'd never thought of doing this,  mine just lights up!  This frees up another button, which is critical when you've already got a limited number of buttons to play with.  The coin button I had set up before could be used for something else like entering the setup menu for instance.  Looks the part too!