Buddabing's LED controller

[Buddabing]

Thanks for the link Felsir.

Buddabing:

LilWolf probably wants swappable LED harnesses so he can mount the controller in the cabinet and still be able to swap multiple panels that all have their own LED harness.

[quarterback]

I'm definitely interested, but if it's going to be ~$100, then I don't think I can commit to buying one.

[jdjuggler]

Couple of comments/questions.

Lighting controls for current game and P1 & P2 blinking - great ideas.

Lighting of control directions/buttons when hit - I personaly wouldn't use it.

[Buddabing]

Couple of comments/questions.

Windows XP support for ALL modes?

[Goz]

I'm in

[Toonces]

2,1b,2b

Looks like a great accessory for the GP-Wiz49's. Just think of having 49 LED's to indicate 49 Way mode

[oldsage]

2, 1b, 2a...
I would surely buy it if it costs less then $40... Otherwise, i'll see if i really have a use for it, and then decide, lol...

Looks awesome! I think that these kinds of "comunity created products" are exactly what this community needs... Thumbs up!

[jdjuggler]

I use Windows XP and would need to have all functions working within XP before I would actually purchase.
Thanks,
JD

[itguy]

I've been following this thread and am very excited to see this project starting to take off.

I'm in for 2 boards if the costs are not too high.  I'm leaning towards the 40 led version.

I prefer 2a or 2b

XP support is something I need.

[gl.tter]

Funny, I've been looking to do the same thing (1/2 player/pause blinking, lighting up supported controls).

[sc1103]

2, 1b, 2a
XP support; however, is a must for me

[cholin]

Im out...100 bucks is out of my reach   If it's anything over 40 bucks without LEDs then Im definately out.

[AmericanDemon]

I'd be in for a 40 LED controller.  I will buy one regardless. 

ooooh flashy lights

[oldschool]

I am in for the 40 LED controller at almost any price

[RayB]

I would go for:

2. I'll buy it if it's not too expensive.

1a. Controller capable of controlling 20 LEDs

2a. Wire harness, LEDs, circuit board

I'm hoping you can keep the cost under $50. (Is this unreasonable?)

My only concern is that many of us have to use AdvanceMAME. Will BuddaMAME be based off normal MAME or off AdvanceMAME?

~Ray B.

[Buddabing]

Funny, I've been looking to do the same thing (1/2 player/pause blinking, lighting up supported controls).

[Buddabing]

I would go for:

2. I'll buy it if it's not too expensive.

1a. Controller capable of controlling 20 LEDs

2a. Wire harness, LEDs, circuit board

I'm hoping you can keep the cost under $50. (Is this unreasonable?)

My only concern is that many of us have to use AdvanceMAME. Will BuddaMAME be based off normal MAME or off AdvanceMAME?

~Ray B.

BuddaMAME is built from normal MAME, not AdvanceMAME. I'll look at the AdvanceMAME and I'll see if it's easy to create AdvanceBuddaMAME.

[oldsage]

Im out...100 bucks is out of my reach

[Chris]

Im out...100 bucks is out of my reach

[MrSaLTy]

Im out...100 bucks is out of my reach

[btoddkelley]

I am in for a 40 led model. Pretty cool!

Todd

[psik0tik]

im in

[Trimoor]

3, 1a, 2c
I like soldering, and I think I already have one of those MAXIM chips laying around somewhere.
Linux/DOS support is a must for me.  I really hate windows.

[gl.tter]

BuddaMAME is built from normal MAME, not AdvanceMAME. I'll look at the AdvanceMAME and I'll see if it's easy to create AdvanceBuddaMAME.

I think if we can come up with a generic Mame light API, we could get this integrated into the main Mame source and get it rippled into all the ports eventually.

[Santoro]

BuddaMAME is built from normal MAME, not AdvanceMAME. I'll look at the AdvanceMAME and I'll see if it's easy to create AdvanceBuddaMAME.

That would be awesome.

[oldsage]

Im out...100 bucks is out of my reach

[cholin]

LEDs and a wire harness can't possibly cost too much.  If you mass-buy LEDs, you can usually get them at around 30 cents each.  0.3 * 40 = 12.  Wires are a few cents, so that shouldnt really be an issue.

Oh and sage, BANG, look for a hole in your hat.  (Just for fun, I dont disagree)

[Chris]

LEDs and a wire harness can't possibly cost too much.

[sc1103]

LEDs and a wire harness can't possibly cost too much.  If you mass-buy LEDs, you can usually get them at around 30 cents each.  0.3 * 40 = 12.  Wires are a few cents, so that shouldnt really be an issue.

Oh and sage, BANG, look for a hole in your hat.  (Just for fun, I dont disagree)

Plus labor to put together the harnesses, and connectors, including the parallel ports.

Although the connectors may boost the price, looks like the harnesses won't add too much to the cost as AmericanDemon may be working with them to do it cheaply-
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,35268.0.html

[Buddabing]

Concerning cost of LED controller board:

The $100 I mentioned is a cap figure, only for the fully decked out 40-LED version which includes everything. The pricing will certainly be less on the final product. Maybe I should have said $99 instead of $100.

[Knievel]

This is really an optional add-on for extra WOW factor. Those looking into it should be able to afford it, certainly not a necessity for any cab. If you think it's too much then you don't need it.

It really annoys me when people start picking apart the price on things like this.
Charge what you want Budda, do not shortchange yourself.

[quarterback]

Charge what you want Budda, do not shortchange yourself.

I agree and, like I noted in my reply, it's nothing personal from my end of things, I just can't personally rationalize paying that amount.

I think part of the 'issue' is that we're all accustomed to buying mass-produced inexpensive electronics where the labor costs drop due to the production facilities and/or due to the large numbers produced.  It's easy to think "Hey, it's just a small board and some wires" and when you can get a KeyWiz ("just a small board and no wires") for under $20, that becomes the ballpark we're thinking in.

I don't think anybody meant any disrespect Budda.  I think it's just a natural reaction from a group of people who only spend $400 total on their cabs.

[JODY]

I fall into the #2 category.  Very interested, but depends on price and what else is / becomes available.

[millercentral]

Would this controller be able to support Bi-Color LEDs (ie, LEDs that can display 2 or more colors from the same diode?)

[gl.tter]

Would this controller be able to support Bi-Color LEDs (ie, LEDs that can display 2 or more colors from the same diode?)

It's more a question of the software being aware of this use.  In hardware terms, you just wire 2/3 outputs to your two-colour/RGB LEDs, and set each output's brightness to get the shade you want.

[RayB]

It's more a question of the software being aware of this use.

[Buddabing]

From what I have read, the two and three color LEDs require voltage to be reversed across them in order to display a different color. The circuit does not allow this.

[quarterback]

From what I have read, the two and three color LEDs require voltage to be reversed across them in order to display a different color. The circuit does not allow this.

I always thought the colors switched based on how much voltage was being supplied, but after your post I did some searching and found this:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/TriColor%20LED.htm

These just have one lead for each color in the LED (and use a shared anode or cathode)

[MrSaLTy]

Most bi and tri color LEDS that I have used are just like quarterback said.

[gl.tter]

My understanding of the way these bi-colored LEDs work is you get one color by applying + to one of the leads, and then you get the other color by reversing the polarity (so the + is going to the other lead)... Sound risky.

That type may exist, I haven't come across them personally.  Most are just multiple LEDs in a single package, as was mentioned.