Brief coin door light question

[rhoelsch]

Ok, I've been researching this on and off for some time now, and it's finally time to get this thing going...

I want to light my coin door lights via my pc power supply and have so far determined that I have the following options:

1.  Order leds from somewhere like superbrightleds.com (better for longevity and look pretty good)-- Do I have to build a LED driver? (seems tedious)  If not, is there a specific part # that's popular around here for red returns?  I think I've got 3/8" holes to work with.  Radio Shack seems useless in this dept., am I correct?

or

2.  Find 14V bulbs from an auto supply store, find holders that will match the bulbs and in the width I need from somewhere.  Do I have to worry about the amout of current drawn in either case?

The door's a vertical over/under that's got SEGA 1985 on it (forget the manuf., think it starts with an A.)  The fixtures included are all corroded and I can't get the bulbs outa the holders.  Am I overcomplicating things here, or is there something I'm missing?  I guess I'm looking for someone to say "ok, just buy this and this and you're set."  Please help--it ain't the same w/o the pretty lights...
Thanks! --R

[SirPeale]

I used 12V automotive bulbs and ran the power straight from a drive connector.  No sweat, no problems.

[Sasquatch!]

If you want to go with incandescent light, the holder is Happ part # 42-0351-00 and the bulb is Happ part # 91-1219-00 (I'm getting these from http://www.happcontrols.com/coindoors/40700000_exploded.htm).  They're technically 14V bulbs, but you can supply them with 12V from your PC power supply with no problem.

If you want to go with LEDs, you can get the 4-cluster or 6-cluster bulbs from http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm, and they'll fit right into the Happ part # 42-0351-00 holder.  They have resistors built right into them, so all you have to do is supply them with 12V and you're good to go.  No driver required.

Couple of articles/review on the superbrights:
http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/superbright.html
http://www.blurbco.com/%7Egork/mamecab/coinleds/

I got the 6-cluster superbrights for my coin returns, and they look awesome.  Hope this helps!

[rhoelsch]

It definately helps.  Thanks!  My holders are probably the same as the Happs (as far as I can tell): got that slot where you slide the holder onto a metal tab just above the hole for the light.  If I can salvage the holders, are bulbs that fit these things pretty popular?  Hoping I just have to stop by a local store instead of ordering from Happs, if possible...

[Sasquatch!]

It definately helps.  Thanks!  My holders are probably the same as the Happs (as far as I can tell): got that slot where you slide the holder onto a metal tab just above the hole for the light.  If I can salvage the holders, are bulbs that fit these things pretty popular?  Hoping I just have to stop by a local store instead of ordering from Happs, if possible...

Yeah, Happs is probably the most expensive way to get ANYTHING.    From what I understand, they are "car bulbs", so an auto store would probably be your best bet.  If you can, just take the holder in with ya!

[spauldingd]

I just got a coin door a few days ago and am doing the same things.  One of my lights works, the other needs a new bulb.  I understand Wal-Mart or any automotive supply house should have them for < $1.  Look for bulb #161.  It is a 14V, 2watt T3 1/4" socket wedge bulb.

Those 4 or 6 bulb LCD's look tempting, and I may end up there, but I figure I will go with stock bulbs first.

Dave

[Stingray]

I used 12V automotive bulbs and ran the power straight from a drive connector.  No sweat, no problems.

Ditto.

-S

[Chris]

You wanna really light those suckers up, use bulbs for Malibu lights.    I lit four up with a spare 12V 1.5A AC adapter I had left over from some long-missing piece of equipment....