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Happs Illuminated Pushbuttons...Hot!
VMJ Team:
Some of you who check out the other boards, such as the Jukebox and software boards, probably have seen my latest project...the Virtual Jukebox. If not, you can check it out here:
http://www.cybertechdesign.net/software/Jukebox/vj_cabinet.htm (shameless plug)
Anyways, I'm currently in the process of building a second jukebox for a family member for x-mas...since other family members are chipping in on the cost, I'm going all out. I purchased ALL iluminated pushbuttons from happs. I already have the "control" panel build and operational...However, Since 14v DC power supplies are hard to come by and aren't cheap...I did what I did for the illuminated pushbuttons on my Virtual Jukebox cab...I replaced the 14v light bulbs with 12v light bulbs from AutoZone and just used a 12vDC power supply. Well with 24 illuminated pushbuttons all right next to each other....this thing is generating more HEAT than I feel comfortable with. I don't want to melt anything, so I need to know what I can do to keep the heat down without loosing too much illumination.
Any one have any suggestions?
Thanks
JustMichael:
Replace the bulbs with leds and resistors.
Dink:
Hmm, would this work? Remove the light bulbs and place an 18" florescent bulb/fixture central, near the most buttons?
liche:
You do NOT need a 14V power supply to run a 14V bulb. Its obvious the bulbs you replaced the original bulbs with are a much higher wattage bulb. Just put the original bulbs back and run them with a 12V supply. It will be a little bit dimmer than if you ran with 14V, but you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference much.
MinerAl:
As liche said, (most) incandescent lamps will glow with almost any current running through them. In one of my coin doors, I use a 12V automotive lamp powered by a variable "black wall wart" transformer, the kind that does 4.5, 6, 7.5, 9, 10.5 and 12 Volts. I've found that for my cabinet in my room with the fairly opaque "25c" card in front of it, 9V is about perfectly bright, and I've had it on for weeks at a time without the metal around it being even warm to the touch.
You could definitely use lower voltages to lower the heat. Automotive bulbs are made to be seen from hundreds of feet away in traffic. See what they look like when powered from the +5V lead, or get a variable transformer and dial it to whatever you want