Illuminated Buttons Power Source

[CHRIS-F]

Hi All,

How would I go about Illuminating my buttons? There are 10 in total 4 buttons per player and P1/P2 Start, my machine has sockets in the buttons for those 12V capless wedge type bulbs, but my machine has no wiring for them only the jamma loom, how would these have been wired back in the day from the 12V on the PSU? if so how Chained in series or Parallel with a connection for each one?

My PSU has 2A on the 12V rail, I want to light all 10 buttons and possibly 2 led strips for the marquee, will there be enough current for all the bulbs and the gameboard?
how do you guys light the buttons? I could use those newer LED capless wedge bulbs rather than the older type. I shone a light through the buttons, they look too bright on camera but they actually look quite good lit up.

Thanks.

[Mike A]

I think you should pull that control panel and redo it. The buttons are positioned terribly, and they are not good arcade game buttons to begin with.

[CHRIS-F]

I think you should pull that control panel and redo it. The buttons are positioned terribly, and they are not good arcade game buttons to begin with.

I don't really mind the layout for now, I only ever play a couple of games that use 1 or 2 buttons, I want to paint the cabinet eventually and get new Joysticks/buttons/T-Molding etc, but for now I just wanted to top mount my Joysticks and get the buttons Illuminated with my marquee, I know the buttons are not the best, but I feel at home on a machine like this as these jamma cabs are what I'm used to playing on in the uk arcades. :-)

[PL1]

Chained in series or Parallel with a connection for each one?

Daisy-chained in parallel with 0.250" QDs.  One daisy-chain for ground (black), the other for operating voltage. (red)



Several vendors like GGG and Paradise sell pre-fab harnesses.

My PSU has 2A on the 12V rail, I want to light all 10 buttons and possibly 2 led strips for the marquee, will there be enough current for all the bulbs and the gameboard?

10 LED single-color buttons * 20mA per LED = 200mA -- no problem.   

Can't say for sure how much the LED strips will draw without knowing the specs and how many LEDs, but you can get close with these estimates.
- Single-color LED strips: #LEDs * 20mA
- RGB LED strips:            #LEDs * 60mA
- These strips are likely to need a separate power supply.

I could use those newer LED capless wedge bulbs rather than the older type.

If by "older type", you're referring to incandescent bulbs, those draw about 500mA each IIRC -- too much current, too much heat, do not use for your setup.

The default choice is a normal (non-surface mount) LED in a wedge-base socket like this one.  It is the type of LED that usually comes with that type of button.

The other option that you may have seen is a wedge-base surface-mount LED like this one.  They have a slightly larger outer diameter that usually doesn't fit in rectangular buttons, but should work in your round buttons.  These "superbright" LEDs may draw more than 20mA.


Scott

[CHRIS-F]

10 LED single-color buttons * 20mA per LED = 200mA -- no problem.   

Thanks Scott, Much appreciated :-) Do people usually just use white LED's or is it best to colour match the LED to the button?

[PL1]

Do people usually just use white LED's or is it best to colour match the LED to the button?

It's customary to color match the LED to the button UNLESS you have a yellow button.

Yellow diffuser + yellow LED = muddy orange. 
- Use white LEDs for yellow buttons.


Scott

[CHRIS-F]

It's customary to color match the LED to the button UNLESS you have a yellow button.

Thanks again :-)

[CHRIS-F]

Could I use either of these LED bulbs for my buttons, I don't seem to be able to find the first type in the uk, but I can find those second type in a few places.

Are the size T-10?

Thanks,
Chris.

[PL1]

Could I use either of these LED bulbs for my buttons, I don't seem to be able to find the first type in the uk, but I can find those second type in a few places.

AWUK carries both the first type and the second type.
- Either one should work since both have a 10mm diameter housing, same as the default choice LEDs from Paradise. (linked above)
- Not sure if the second type will draw 20mA or a bit more.   


Scott

[CHRIS-F]

Could I use either of these LED bulbs for my buttons, I don't seem to be able to find the first type in the uk, but I can find those second type in a few places.

AWUK carries both the first type and the second type.
- Either one should work since both have a 10mm diameter housing, same as the default choice LEDs from Paradise. (linked above)
- Not sure if the second type will draw 20mA or a bit more.   


Scott

I shouldn't search for stuff when I'm tired, I was convinced I couldn't find them in the uk, I enquired with one seller on ebay about the second type as they look a better quality but the seller didn't know how much current they draw so I just ordered some of the first type not sure how my crappy orange/yellow buttons will look so got some yellow and white, hopefully I'll change the buttons to blue in the near future :-) thanks again for the link :-)

[CHRIS-F]

I Have my LED's and Crimpers and I've ordered some crimp connectors are the brass ones ok? also what size wire do I need to use for the daisy chain gnd and 12v?

someone mentioned to me in another thread the sizes for jamma loom and controls, but I can't find it now.
Thanks.

[PL1]

what size wire do I need to use for the daisy chain gnd and 12v?

There's a useful chart with AWG sizes and properties here.

- 30 AWG won't handle the current draw and isn't easy to work with.

- 24 AWG will handle the current for about 28 single-color LEDs and is pretty easy to work with. 

- 22 or 20 AWG are also good options and easy to work with.

- Unless you're trying to one-up Clark Griswold, LED wiring larger than 20 AWG is overkill.   


Scott
EDIT: Almost forgot to mention it, but use stranded wire for crimps, not solid.

[CHRIS-F]

- Unless you're trying to one-up Clark Griswold, LED wiring larger than 20 AWG is overkill.   

Scott

Ha! Ha! I had to google Griswold didn't know the name :-)

Thanks Much appreciated :-)