Author Topic: TrackBall Ilumination (Read 5754 times)

ripzone · « **on:** January 15, 2003, 10:30:36 am »

I plan to iluminate my Happ's blue translucent 3" trackball with the following Glowire (http://www.glowire.com) product:

Have you any other suggestions?

What's the best option??? White Leds or Blue Leds??? ?

Remember that I am using a translucent blue trackball!

Thanks in advance!

rampy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2003, 10:38:55 am »

Quote from: ripzone on January 15, 2003, 10:30:36 am

I plan to iluminate my Happ's blue translucent 3" trackball with the following Glowire (http://www.glowire.com) product:

Have you any other suggestions?

What's the best option??? White Leds or Blue Leds??? ?

Remember that I am using a translucent blue trackball!

Thanks in advance!

thank gawd you asked... if you use blue leds on a translucent blue ball you'll tear the space time continueum. *phew* disaster averted.

I've got to go stop someone from eating pasta and antipasto together.

rampy

PS my guess is use white light, but I have not physics type waveform explanation as to why

ripzone · « **Reply #2 on:** January 15, 2003, 11:26:25 am »

any more suggestions?

rampy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 15, 2003, 11:32:22 am »

Quote from: ripzone on January 15, 2003, 11:26:25 am

any more suggestions?

1up used white led's to light a translucent blue tball http://www.1uparcade.com/projects-kidsball.html and what's good enough for 1up...

rampy

eightbit · « **Reply #4 on:** January 15, 2003, 11:33:57 am »

Depends on the look your going for. I think the white would make it look brighter so my vote would be white. It seems like I saw a white ball lit with the blue LEDs, I didn't like it, it didn't look evenly light it because it didn't diffuse very well.

elfman12 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 15, 2003, 01:03:59 pm »

Quote from: ripzone on January 15, 2003, 10:30:36 am

I plan to iluminate my Happ's blue translucent 3" trackball with the following Glowire (http://www.glowire.com) product:

Have you any other suggestions?

What's the best option??? White Leds or Blue Leds??? ?

I'm using the white one on a red translucent ball, and it's BRIGHT. So bright that it kinda looks orange, but that's the way the ball is.

That is a really good solution, and I'm glad I didn't have to use a regular hot bulb. I mounted it on top of a little "totem pole" sticking up from the bottom of the CP, and it sits right under the TB hole.

Good luck!

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #6 on:** January 15, 2003, 04:43:39 pm »

Whilst on the topic of lighting trackballs, i'm planning on using LEDs to light mine. How do you guys power your lights, what are you using as the power source?

Thanks.

elfman12 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2003, 05:16:37 pm »

Quote from: GSXRMovistar on January 15, 2003, 04:43:39 pm

Whilst on the topic of lighting trackballs, i'm planning on using LEDs to light mine. How do you guys power your lights, what are you using as the power source?

Thanks.

Computer Power Supply. The one I got was a kit that had a regular Molex connector, just like a hard drive. Easy - just connect it up.

gtjoe · « **Reply #8 on:** January 15, 2003, 05:41:42 pm »

you can build your own. Tap off of the computer power supply.

And use the calculator at the bottom of this page
http://www.eworld.contactbox.co.uk/calc/calcled.htm
to calculate the resistor you need to use. Use the voltage and current rating that the led recommends and the voltage that you are tapping off of the power supply to come up with the resistor value

Led are $4-6 bucks at RadioShack and a five pack of resistors is $.99. Check out the radioshack website for the different led colors available.

slug54 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 15, 2003, 05:58:36 pm »

I tried both the blue and white LED's . The white definitely
was brighter and gave the best look. My trackball is the Happs 3" blue. As for the power source I have an I-pac so 5 volts was there just a couple inches away waiting to be
plugged into.I just put a current limiting resistor in series with the LED.

Slug54

GSXRMovistar · « **Reply #10 on:** January 15, 2003, 06:16:24 pm »

Quote from: slug54 on January 15, 2003, 05:58:36 pm

I tried both the blue and white LED's . The white definitely
was brighter and gave the best look. My trackball is the Happs 3" blue. As for the power source I have an I-pac so 5 volts was there just a couple inches away waiting to be
plugged into.I just put a current limiting resistor in series with the LED.

Slug54

I'll try this method then as at the moment i'm only building the control panel box to connect to my PC, the rest of the cabinet will have to wait until i get the spare room needed.

KevSteele · « **Reply #11 on:** January 15, 2003, 09:21:02 pm »

Quote from: ripzone on January 15, 2003, 10:30:36 am

I plan to iluminate my Happ's blue translucent 3" trackball with the following Glowire (http://www.glowire.com) product:

Have you any other suggestions?

What's the best option??? White Leds or Blue Leds??? ?

Remember that I am using a translucent blue trackball!

Thanks in advance!

I actually used the exact product you are considering (the 4-led cluster from Glowire.com) to illuminate my trackball. I used the white LED model and it worked out wonderfully -- the trackball has a great blue glow.

I wrote a review of Glowire.com's Lazer LED on my site:

http://users.adelphia.net/~kevsteele/mame/index.html
(click on the reviews button)

The 4-LED cluster is bright. It's really neat to see the blue glow that comes off the trackball when the room is dark.

Kevin

RacerX · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2003, 11:09:55 pm »

Quote from: elfman12 on January 15, 2003, 01:03:59 pm

I'm using the white one on a red translucent ball, and it's BRIGHT. So bright that it kinda looks orange, but that's the way the ball is.

That is a really good solution, and I'm glad I didn't have to use a regular hot bulb. I mounted it on top of a little "totem pole" sticking up from the bottom of the CP, and it sits right under the TB hole.

Good luck!

I use a 6 volt flashlight bulb connected to a 5 volt universal AC adapter from Radio Shack, and the red translucent trackball looks orange with that too.

But I still like it.

CM · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2003, 11:14:01 pm »

OK .. you guys talked me into it. I placed my order tonight for these to replace my 12V lamps that I use in the coindoors and trackball illumination. I noticed the trackball DOES get pretty hot if left still for any period of time with my current setup .. so why not

I currently use a separate ATX power supply to run my 12V lamps, but if I read the power details correctly it sounds like I can go back to only using my main PC power for these LEDs. (Anything to reduce the fire hazard is a big plus

)

KevSteele · « **Reply #14 on:** January 15, 2003, 11:40:25 pm »

I'm running my LEDs off the main PC power supply (a 300w unit) without any problems.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your new LEDs -- they may not be best solution for restoration work, but they're definitely the best lighting solution for MAME cabs.

Kevin

ripzone · « **Reply #15 on:** January 16, 2003, 12:07:25 pm »

Ok, thank you guys. You Rock!

I think I will use white leds. Another Question:

Should I replace my happ coin door lamps with leds? If yes what color?

My reject button is yellow!

Brax · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2003, 12:46:08 pm »

It's all personal preferance but I would use amber LED's then.

Actually.. *I* would buy replacement red or blue coin return buttons from Happs and use the corresponding colour of LED. I don't care for the yellow. I'd either go red to remain true to the classic colours or go custom and pick a wilder colour to match my cabinet.

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #17 on:** January 16, 2003, 01:00:20 pm »

I didn't even realize that they came in different colors. I don't recall seeing any examples that had anything other than the standard color.

Brax · « **Reply #18 on:** January 16, 2003, 03:27:37 pm »

Quote from: BASSOFeeSH on January 16, 2003, 01:00:20 pm

I didn't even realize that they came in different colors. I don't recall seeing any examples that had anything other than the standard color.

http://www.happcontrols.com/cc/420517xx.htm

ripzone · « **Reply #19 on:** January 16, 2003, 03:29:29 pm »

It's very expensive!

4.20$ for only one!

But thanks anyway!

BASSOFeeSH · « **Reply #20 on:** January 16, 2003, 04:33:21 pm »

Thanks.

A bit expensive, but seeing that most spend a couple hundred on their cabs already its not that bad.

Brax · « **Reply #21 on:** January 16, 2003, 05:08:26 pm »

8 bucks to be totally unique and set off your cabinet is expensive?

I believe the devil is in the details... Its the attention to detail that makes a cabinet amazing instead of mediocre. I also find the yellow totally hideous so that may have something to do with it.

Besides I have a Happs distributor in the same city as me... I just walk in and grab it.

ripzone · « **Reply #22 on:** January 16, 2003, 05:42:26 pm »

Yeah, on America you have very distributors. Here in Portugal, when you want to buy things you can't because we don't have distributors. We have to order online from America and pay fees, taxes, transportations.
I am next to make an order from Happ Controls Europe (In UK). The total without additional taxes, trasportations, vat is 300$ but because I live in a stupid country it will cost me more than 450$ (VAT: 80$ / Transportations: 40$ and more things I have to pay.

I would like also to buy a Trident Blade XP but I can't because your online sites only ship to U.S.A. , dont ship to Portugal.

Sometimes, I also see good deals on Ebay but I can't buy because most venders only ship to U.S.A. and we in Portugal doesn't have an Ebay!

Very Sorry For My English!

It's the life!

Brax · « **Reply #23 on:** January 16, 2003, 06:00:07 pm »

I'm in Canada....... and have the exact same problems.

Look around, you may be surprised what you find. I had no idea the was a Happs distributor in my city until I stumbled onto it. Try local arcade machine sellers. They have to get their parts from somewhere..... You may find a local distributor in your country.

CM · « **Reply #24 on:** February 25, 2003, 11:29:33 am »

Quote from: CM on January 15, 2003, 11:14:01 pm

OK .. you guys talked me into it. I placed my order tonight for these to replace my 12V lamps that I use in the coindoors and trackball illumination. I noticed the trackball DOES get pretty hot if left still for any period of time with my current setup .. so why not

I currently use a separate ATX power supply to run my 12V lamps, but if I read the power details correctly it sounds like I can go back to only using my main PC power for these LEDs. (Anything to reduce the fire hazard is a big plus )

Finally hooked my Lazer LEDs up last night and WOW

what a difference. The trackball with a 12V bulb lamp had a nice backlight effect .. but with the quad-Lazer LED it gives it an intense glow that just looks much better. (You weren't kidding when you said these things were bright!) I also split one of the 3-way packs up and put an LED in each coinslot.

Result: less heat (trackball doesn't heat up if left still for long periods), less power (was able to yank the extra ATX power supply out of cab), and overall 1 less fire-hazard to worry about

eightbit · « **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2003, 11:37:09 am »

Check out this thread-
http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=5210
Much cheaper than the glowire stuff and it should plug into your current lamp sockets in your coin doors.

ripzone · « **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2003, 12:47:32 pm »

Yeah, but the minimum order to Portugal is 25$ and the stuff I want cost in total less than $4 !

ripzone · « **Reply #27 on:** February 25, 2003, 12:49:22 pm »

Can I just use these Happ leds: http://www.happcontrols.com/lighting/91115700.htm

eightbit · « **Reply #28 on:** February 25, 2003, 01:42:45 pm »

Quote from: ripzone on February 25, 2003, 12:49:22 pm

Can I just use these Happ leds: http://www.happcontrols.com/lighting/91115700.htm

Ok but those are over $3 a peice and Happs also has a minumum $25 order. Of course at almost 3 times as much per LED you'll get to $25 a lot faster.

TazMan · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2003, 02:00:51 pm »

Quote from: ripzone on February 25, 2003, 12:49:22 pm

Can I just use these Happ leds: http://www.happcontrols.com/lighting/91115700.htm

$3 for Red $14.25

for White

Plus, I asked my contact at Happ about why they don't offer Leds for trackball illum. she said they couldn't figure how to attach at right angle to illuminate tb and they didn't have the mcd specs to give you an idea of how bright they are. Having bought a bunch of Leds from RadioShack, what might work as a green light in a network hub - definitely won't do the trick for tb illumniation

ripzone · « **Reply #30 on:** February 25, 2003, 02:11:28 pm »

Quote from: eightbit on February 25, 2003, 01:42:45 pm

Quote from: ripzone on February 25, 2003, 12:49:22 pm
Can I just use these Happ leds: http://www.happcontrols.com/lighting/91115700.htm
Ok but those are over $3 a peice and Happs also has a minumum $25 order. Of course at almost 3 times as much per LED you'll get to $25 a lot faster.

I want to order from Happs because I will order soon my buttons, joysticks,bezel, etc.

Are the Happs leds super bright???

TazMan · « **Reply #31 on:** February 25, 2003, 02:19:37 pm »

Quote

I want to order from Happs because I will order soon my buttons, joysticks,bezel, etc.

Are the Happs leds super bright???

From my last post:
I asked my contact at Happ about why they don't offer Leds for trackball illum. she said they couldn't figure how to attach at right angle to illuminate tb

eightbit · « **Reply #32 on:** February 25, 2003, 04:42:13 pm »

Quote from: ripzone on February 25, 2003, 02:11:28 pm

Are the Happs leds super bright???

Bright enough to light a button or a coin door but Probably not bright enough to light a trackball. Thats just my guess though, considering they are just single LED's.

Stein · « **Reply #33 on:** February 28, 2003, 01:06:44 am »

I'm a little confused

I just got my Happ 3" translucent trackball and I made sure to tell them when I ordered it that I wanted the light and assembly (the whole bit) sent with my order, they said "no problem", but I didn't get it when the order came, I had to call back and they said that this was a BIG problem and they got a lot of calls about it, well, the lady I talked with apologised and said she would send one right out that day, free of charge even, but 8 days later and I still don't have it and they have no record of it shipping out...

now I read taz mans msg which would make me think it doesn't exist at all

again I'm confused...

my trackball project in case anyones interested...

http://webpages.charter.net/mjellis1/

Stein

Carsten Carlos · « **Reply #34 on:** February 28, 2003, 04:39:59 am »

Quote

Are the Happs leds super bright???

Buy your LED's and the suitable resistors at a local electronic store. (you should've something like that there, or at least a mailorder in your country for electronic stuff)

Happ is much too expensive on this stuff, and if you've a soldering iron (or know someone who has one) you could save some money.

Maybe there is even a vendor in Portugal, 6 months after ordering from Happ I found a german-online-store that sells some of their stuff, too, at least the same buttons & joysticks. (I think there is even a arcade-factory in Spain, but they won't sell to enduser I guess -try to find out more, I don't remember their name directly, but it should be somewhere in the shop-section, they make the T-stick you can see on http://www.ultimarc.com)

Though the buttons from Happ UK were still pretty cheap, I wouldn't get them cheaper here!

TazMan · « **Reply #35 on:** February 28, 2003, 10:14:29 am »

Quote from: Stein on February 28, 2003, 01:06:44 am

now I read taz mans msg which would make me think it doesn't exist at all again I'm confused...

Sorry Stein, not trying to confuse the issue. I was referring to an LED trackball lighting option from Happ - they do offer an incandescent bulb - like their coin door lights, etc. I have read people using a regular bulb have had issues with the ball not spinning properly - due to the heat from the bulb more or less warping the trackball when it sits in the same position with the light warming it up for an extended period of time. Hope that helps clear it up.


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