New Product: Electric ICE-T

[sWampy]

I got my upgrade key yesterday, installed it in a betson 3" trackball tonight, and it looks great.  I don't have an led wiz, so I just got a 6 position switch I had laying around and a few diodes and rigged up a rotory knob where you can make it red/blue/green/white/purple/off.  It looks good with all those colors.  My only knock is the ball has a small bump on it, so it's not perfectly round.  Every now and again, it causes a slight hitch in your swing playing golden tee, or bowling.   When I get a chance I'll email randy to see if I was just unlucky and got a bum one.

[lovespicyfood]

I got my upgrade key yesterday, installed it in a betson 3" trackball tonight, and it looks great.  I don't have an led wiz, so I just got a 6 position switch I had laying around and a few diodes and rigged up a rotory knob where you can make it red/blue/green/white/purple/off.  It looks good with all those colors.  My only knock is the ball has a small bump on it, so it's not perfectly round.  Every now and again, it causes a slight hitch in your swing playing golden tee, or bowling.   When I get a chance I'll email randy to see if I was just unlucky and got a bum one.

Wow, bummer!  Mine's on the way, I hope it's okay...

[mahuti]

Just installed mine today. It's smooth, unlike sWampy's. First reactions.

Looks great.

Feels too light, but I haven't playtested it extensively yet. The casual use it got while testing seemed to feel fine.

To commemorate this fine new product, I released a new version of my not-so-fine crapplication, SetLedWiz.

you can find it for download at http://mahuti.com/arcade/SetLedWiz.zip

[mr.Curmudgeon]

Just installed my 3" RGB upgrade kit on a Happs Trackball and I found that the included spacers aren't thick enough. The LED's actually hit the trackball, even when I only very loosely tightened the screws.

I went to Home Depot and picked up some #6-32 (35) Nylon Machine Screw Nuts and added them to the mix for more distance. Now the TB spins freely and everything it nice and snug. I even found that the Screw Nuts threaded onto the screws and kept them in place before the install. That really cut down on the fumbling and aligning when I mounted the lighting unit.

The light intensity on the trackball seems absolutely perfect. Not too bright, doesn't distract. Nice even lighting, very diffuse. On my ball, there seems to be a very tiny imperfection, a bubble near the surface on one area of the ball itself, but it's not really noticeable, even when lit. I only mention it so that Randy might be aware, from a production standpoint, that it could create issues down the line. The ball itself is perfectly round, and the weight doesn't seem like it'll be an issue, even though it is a little lighter than the stock Happs 3" ball.

All in all, I'm very happy with the purchase. Another fine product from RandyT.


Here's some reference pictures of the install:


The Nylon Screw Nuts holding the screws in.


The washers (included with the kit) are lined up; ready to drop in the board.


Installed.


Now the LED's are below the dangerzone.


Balls spins perfectly.

[quarterback]

Hey y'all.  Now that you're exchanging the ball in your trackball units with the GGG ball, I'll just put a shout-out to see if anybody wants to get rid of their 3" trackball for cheap. 

I have one that's dirty and discolored that I wouldn't mind replacing but I haven't because it's not worth the money to me.  But if you're not doing anything with yours and want to get it out of your way, let me know

[RandyT]

Hey y'all.  Now that you're exchanging the ball in your trackball units with the GGG ball, I'll just put a shout-out to see if anybody wants to get rid of their 3" trackball for cheap. 

I have one that's dirty and discolored that I wouldn't mind replacing but I haven't because it's not worth the money to me.  But if you're not doing anything with yours and want to get it out of your way, let me know

I have shiny new ones at the store for $8.95 

These are from the conversions so I am offering them for a decent price.

RandyT

[quarterback]

Thanks Randy,

Question, any eta on getting in the "TrackBall Booster Kit - For 3-inch Imperial Trackballs" ?

[RandyT]

Thanks Randy,

Question, any eta on getting in the "TrackBall Booster Kit - For 3-inch Imperial Trackballs" ?

The metal fab outfit boned the job AGAIN !

The last time they re-did it, it took them 4 days, but I don't know what to expect this time.  They may try to give up rather than trying again, but I hope not.  I'll try to keep everyone posted.

mr C. :

Thanks for the info about the spacers.  Looks like things are more cramped in the HAPP TB than the Imperial.  I'll make sure there are extra spacers included on future shipments.

As for the occasional sub-surface inclusion (bubble or non-homogeneous material), I'm afraid there's not much I can do about that part.  It's pretty much inherent to this type of material.  As long as there aren't more than a couple, and they are barely visible and below the surface, we pass them.  Only about 1 out of 7 or 8 are pristine, and we have to set those aside for the Electric ICE-T units.

RandyT

[mahuti]

For anyone else interested, I have an ultimarc trackball, and the install requires some custom work since there's no flat bottom on the trackball case. It wasn't difficult to make it work though.

So Randy, what's the latest version number on the LedWiz app? The last version I have (.87)doesn't have the ability to load & edit previous LWA files. Is there an updated version that does?

[sWampy]

I got my upgrade kit yesterday, installed it in a betson 3" trackball tonight, and it looks great.  I don't have an led wiz, so I just got a 6 position switch I had laying around and a few diodes and rigged up a rotory knob where you can make it red/blue/green/white/purple/off.  It looks good with all those colors.  My only knock is the ball has a small bump on it, so it's not perfectly round.  Every now and again, it causes a slight hitch in your swing playing golden tee, or bowling.   When I get a chance I'll email randy to see if I was just unlucky and got a bum one.

Thought I would update everyone, Randy assured me the dent/bump on my trackball wasn't normal, and replaced it and it's great, perfectly lighted, rolls smoth as silk, and has a great texture to the ball.  Now I just need to order me an led wiz and some lighted buttons, and I my cabinet can really bling, bling.

[MYX]

Hey Mr. C or whom ever wants to reply. How did you go bout making the holes for the screws? What size bit didja use?

[sWampy]

I used 8/32.

[gixxerscott]

How is everyone mounting this? does the happ mount work? before someone suggests it, I have already asked Randy and he wasn't sure.

Thanks,

Scott

[Casting4Christ]

Yup I second the question "if the happs mounting plate work with a new unit"

[Czapala]

Anyone got this and installed with the Happ mounting plate?

Has anyone done a comparison between this one and a 3" Happ  for feel?

I am trying to decide between this one and the 3" Happ translucent.  I like the ICE look and the ability to change the color.  But I also can get a good deal for the 3" Happ.

So right now the question is installation and quality.  I know RandyT is known for quality.  I am just wondering if anyone has compared the 2.