Illuminated Player1/2 Pushbuttons/IPAC

[JLR2000]

Does anyone know of any small illuminated pushbuttons that could be hooked up to the IPAC for Player 1/Player 2 buttons.  Here's what I have in mind- I'd like to have my Cocktail cabinet have the lighted P1/P2 lights but I would also like them to be the P1/P2 buttons. The harness listed on Ultimarc is only lights. Any suggestions? Thanks...

[JustMichael]

Of course the harness listed is only for lights.  You still have to use quick disconnects and wire the switch to the normal I-PAC inputs and ground.

A lighted pushbutton is just like a normal pushbutton with 1 slight difference.  It has a seperate circuit for the light.

[jelloslug]

Use caution!  Check what wattage light the ipac is capable of driving before you hook it up.  We don't want to brake or ipac now do we?  

[JLR2000]

Of course the harness listed is only for lights.  You still have to use quick disconnects and wire the switch to the normal I-PAC inputs and ground.

A lighted pushbutton is just like a normal pushbutton with 1 slight difference.  It has a seperate circuit for the light.

Right. Thanks for the clarification.  Now, I guess I should be more specific....Knowing that the harness is lights only and that an illuminated small pushbutton would need to be hooked up to the inputs as well as the led/light hooked up the light leads, has anyone found a small illuminated pushbutton that will work with the IPAC.  Specifically, the light in the button is the SAME type/power consumption as those used in the IPAC harness?  I don't want to have any issues as JelloSlug has pointed out. Has anyone already done this? The Illuminated PBs need to be small since it's for a cocktail.  Thanks all for the input.  

[JustMichael]

I know for a fact that the I-PAC works fine with the Atari volcano buttons.  You will need to add a resistor inline with each of the leds.  I would only recommend powering lights with the I-PAC if they are leds.

[JLR2000]

Great - anyone know of small illuminated pushbuttons that are lighted with LEDs?  The Atari volcano buttons are exactly what I am thinking of - were those just lights, or illuminated pushbuttons - I can't remember.....

[Carsten Carlos]

Pushbuttons. With a 5mm LED in it. Current you can draw from the I-Pac is still 10mA - more then normal LED's use, but you can get low-current LED's that 'll be happy with less.

These Atari buttons are really nice, unfortunately very expensive, like $15-20 on Ebay for two. I have two.

[JLR2000]

Okay, after doing some more research I now know that the Atari volcano style pushbuttons as EXACTLY what I am looking for.  Of course I also found that they are "hard to find".  I don't need THOSE pushbuttons, but I was hoping some of you electronics gurus out there could suggestion a similiar led PB in it's place?  I might be reaching here, just thought I would throw it out there.  Thanks again.

[tom61]

Someone put up a guide for installing LEDs in Happ P1/P2 buttons so that they'd light up in mame. Looked pretty cool.

I can't remember who though.

[Carsten Carlos]

I can't remember who though.

Well, I got something about this at my page on my "Flashing Buttons" - section. There is also a link in it to the site where I found the basics about this.

Maybe this was the one you thought of?

[gnat3y3]

i have some of those atari volcano buttons, can someone elaborate a little more on how to use the ipac-led harness to run these? what kind of restior do i need, can i get it at radio shack? etc, etc, im still new at soldiering, but am willing to try, any info would be great, also which poles on the bottom of the button are for what? they are not as clearly marked as the happs cherry switches

[JLR2000]

Carlos -I did look at your site, great job detailing how to do it yourself.  For my project I'm looking to use much smaller buttons for the P1 and P2 buttons.  I've gotten lost in the multitude of electronics sites online....if anyone can provide links to led illuminated pushbuttons I'd appreciate it...you practically need an electrical engineering degree to read the page! Maybe it's just b/c I know very little about the subject....anyway - thanks.

[JLR2000]

i have some of those atari volcano buttons, can someone elaborate a little more on how to use the ipac-led harness to run these? what kind of restior do i need, can i get it at radio shack? etc, etc, im still new at soldiering, but am willing to try, any info would be great, also which poles on the bottom of the button are for what? they are not as clearly marked as the happs cherry switches

gnat3y3 - can I ask where did you get your volcano buttons?

[JustMichael]

i have some of those atari volcano buttons, can someone elaborate a little more on how to use the ipac-led harness to run these? what kind of restior do i need, can i get it at radio shack? etc, etc, im still new at soldiering, but am willing to try, any info would be great, also which poles on the bottom of the button are for what? they are not as clearly marked as the happs cherry switches

You can go right to an I-PAC page on Andy's site.  Scroll down to the bottom.  The 220R is a 220 Ohms.  If I remember right the volcano buttons have tabs for the quick disconnects (been a while since I hooked up my cab).

[Grasshopper]

I realise they may be a bit big for your purposes. However the old style leaf pushbuttons are available in translucent colours. You can also purchase leaf switch holders that can be fitted with a bulb or LED. See page 87 of the Wico/Suzo catalogue for details.

[1UP]

There are also the illuminated buttons from Happ, but they are larger than the volcano buttons--about the size of regular Happ horizontal PBs.  You also need to replace the lights in them with some LEDs that will match the 5V output of the IPAC.  This can be done pretty easily--just cut out a piece of circuit board large enough to fit into the lamp contacts (the way the square part of the lamp does) and solder an LED to it.  The leads should make good contact with the lamp contacts when inserted, and all you have to do is connect female disconnects from the IPAC to the lamp tabs.