How to connect a marquee light to the PC power Sup

[pipeme]

Hi guys,

I would like to connect a marquee light to my PC's power supply, so when I switch my PC on, the marquee light comes on too.

Is there any special thing I need to do?

Which cables of the power supply do I use out of the usual red, yellow and black?

Thanks

[JustMichael]

You don't.  A marquee will require 110V AC.  Simply put you will need a way to switch the ac power on and off.

[Johnny the MAMEr]

If you go to this site

http://www.pennsauken.net/tech_beta/pursglove/

you can find out how to get 12 volts out of the computer power supply (pretty easy) . Now all you need to do is rig up some array of 12 volt bulbs inside  your marquee area and wire it all up. Could you use some type of automotive tailight bulbs? Hmmmmmm, might be worth investigating.  

I have only used the computer to power the coin slot lights in my cabinet so far.  

[pipeme]

Thanks!

I am gonna buy the bulbs today!

[Thenasty]

I tried the AUtomotive light bulb (the small ones for reverse light) and I put 2 in there and still not bright enought. It is easier to get a light fixture in Home Depot and a regular light bulb and you are all done....The price you gonna pay for those automotive bulb, just add a little more and you be happyyou went the right way.

[aramis]

or, you could use a 12V relay to switch the AC power to the marquee light.

For example, check out item # 900-2329 on www.radioshack.com. Less than $2. It has a set of N.O. contacts that can switch up to 10A of 120VAC. Depending on which one you get, the coil can be powered by either 5, 12, or 24VDC (5 or 12VDC can be gotten easily from the PC power supply).

This will draw a lot less current from your PC supply than a chain of taillight bulbs would!

PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THE CURRENT REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR MARQUEE LIGHT FIRST...THE RELAY MENTIONED ABOVE MAY OR MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EITHER THE CONSTANT OR IN-RUSH CURRENT DEMANDED BY YOUR MARQUEE LIGHT.

[1UP]

How about a couple of 6V battery powered trouble lights?  There are lots of these around.

I would just get a PC power supply with an AC pass-thru built in.  My old computer had this.  It can switch on external monitors and such when the PC boots up.