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New Product: Lightmite LB leaf button lighting module **Now Available**

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whammoed:

edit: Now available at www.nicemite.com

OK, they aren't in my hands yet, but I am getting the order ready.
After getting an order of leaf buttons in, I realize I will no longer be using microswitch buttons.  Well there is no real easy way to get these lit with leds, and thats where the Lightmite LB comes in.  It is a small pcb that holds a two position terminal block, two resistors, and two leds.  You simply screw it to the button with the buttons pal nut.  And yes, I said it has terminal blocks.  Wiring just doesn't get any easier than that.  You will easily be able to chain the ground and/or + wires.  Board will be double sided with plated through holes.  Of course it can be used with different voltages by using the correct resistors +5v, +12v, etc.  I will likely have three choices available for purchase:
1. bare board
2. board with terminal block
3. complete board with terminal block, resistors, and leds installed.  Choice of red, orange, blue, green. (did I miss any?)


So what I need to know from you all, is what is your interest (if any) in such a product?  Would you buy?  How many?  What price puts it out of your range? etc...  There will be an order placed for sure, I am simply trying to figure out how many.  I already know how many I want. ;)

Here are the prototype pics to help visualize and a pic of the actual schematic for the board.  Prototype was etched by hand using parts I had available so It does not have the terminal blocks.  Also the final wiring layout is different as seen in the schematic pic.
The board can be assembled for lighting two different ways.
Pic 1: Lit red button by "outside from bottom method"
Pic 2: underside of "outside from bottom method"
Pic 3: Lit red button by "through button holder method"  (think knievel method)
Pic 4: underside of "through button holder method"
Pic 5: Schematic of actual product

(white 3mm narrow viewing angle leds were used in testing.  Actual lighting results are much better with the proper color led)

Let me know what you think! :D

quarterback:

Verrrrrryyyy interesssting!     :)

This may be asking too much, but is there any chance that somebody can provide pre-cut (and maybe even pre-drilled) white spacers?   My issue right now is more that I don't have the "Kneivel style" white holders which would allow me to do the "through button holder" method.

As you know, my cocktail has 6 translucents in it, so I'd be interested in like... uh... six of these :)  But, as always, it's going to come down to cost.   For example, if they're $10/board, I'm going to have to pass, because spending another $60 on just lighting these buttons is too rich for my blood.

Can you give a side-by-side comparison of the two lighting methods?   I'm surprised at how well the "outside from bottom" lights up even the bezel of the button.

I'd also be really interested in seeing how well you can get a green button to light up, since they're so dark (and because I might have three of them on my CP)  I don't know what LEDs you currently have at your disposal, but coming up with a decent solution to lighting up the green translucents to a level that's even close to all the other colors would be a success unto itself.

These definitely look cool, whammoed.  Kudos for putting these together.  8)

whammoed:


qb,

Oh, they won't be $10, don't worry.
Thanks for the heads up on the green.  I will see what is available when ordering the leds.  I should probably get greens that are brighter than the rest.

I won't be supplying button holders, at least initially...who knows down the road.  The assembled boards will be the "outside from bottom method".  Using the other method, the leds should be attached to the board while they are in the button holder since its a tight fit.  You could try squeezing them in afterward, but this could break the leads.

I actually got more even lighting with the "outside from bottom method", so I would suggest that route.  I've seen it done well this way even with 1 led.  Plus you don't have to drill holes in the holder, so one less step.

(the uneven lighting I got with the "through button holder method" was likely due to the fact that these are short buttons in a metal panel with white narrow angle leds.  Knievel has shown you can get good results with that method.)

I won't be able to give a side by side comparison until the actual boards are in.  I only made one prototype.

quarterback:


--- Quote from: whammoed on February 13, 2006, 12:34:36 pm ---Thanks for the heads up on the green.  I will see what is available when ordering the leds.  I should probably get greens that are brighter than the rest.
--- End quote ---

I'm not sure that there are very many people who actually use the greens, but if you can come up with a solution while working through this, maybe more people will end up using them.


--- Quote ---The assembled boards will be the "outside from bottom method".  Using the other method, the leds should be attached to the board while they are in the button holder since its a tight fit.  You could try squeezing them in afterward, but this could break the leads.
--- End quote ---

Gotcha.


--- Quote ---I actually got more even lighting with the "outside from bottom method", so I would suggest that route.  I've seen it done well this way even with 1 led.
--- End quote ---

Interesting.  That's good to know because I've been mentally debating this with my own CPs.


--- Quote ---I won't be able to give a side by side comparison until the actual boards are in.  I only made one prototype.
--- End quote ---

Fair enough.  I just asked because LED lighting photos are always a bit of a crapshoot since it's difficult to capture exactly what they look like in person.  In the pics you've posted, it looks like the "from bottom method" isn't as bright as the "through button holder method", but that first pic also looks darker overall.

In the end, the fact that you can get the bezel lit with either method is the best news to me.  Intensity can be adjusted using different LEDs, but the overall 'spread' of the light isn't so easy to control.

whammoed:


--- Quote from: quarterback on February 13, 2006, 02:31:41 pm ---
Fair enough.  I just asked because LED lighting photos are always a bit of a crapshoot since it's difficult to capture exactly what they look like in person.  In the pics you've posted, it looks like the "from bottom method" isn't as bright as the "through button holder method", but that first pic also looks darker overall.


--- End quote ---

The "through button holder" was brighter, but not by too much.  It also had the two bright spots as seen in the photo.  I think both were due to using short buttons on a metal panel.  The leds are very close to the top in this case.  For metal panels I really think the "outside from bottom" method is the best.  You can get brighter leds if it is too dim, or put in higher resistors if its too bright.  Like you said, getting it "even" can be the tricky part.

So far you are the only one expressing an interest, hopefully there are more who would like something like this.  I will definitely order enough for at least those who say they want them here though.  ;)

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