Cheap super bright 12v leds

[eightbit]

A source for cheap super bright 12v LED's was mentioned in chat last night-
http://superbrightleds.com/1157.htm
It looks like a very simple cheap way to light up a trackball or some buttons. No figuring out or wiring diodes simply hook them to 12v and go.

[TazMan]

Another nice thing about these is that they are T 3 1/4 wedge base - which means they fit into the sockets provided on Happ coin doors and illuminated push buttons and are much cheaper than the $14.25 white wedge base Leds Happ sells

[alphasqorner]

Thx for the info!!  I wasn't prepared to pay happs prices for LEDs...

[SS427]

I have recently added two of the wedge type leds for my trackball and I am also using them to light the coin doors.  They seem to work great.  The 1157 type leds put out a lot of light.  I am planning on using it instead of the wedge type for the trackball.  The wedge type lights the trackball, but I have them mounted like the typical trackball lights and the main part of the light from the leds is not in the correct direction (still works good though).  When I was testing the 1157 types, they were held under the trackball and lit up the ball really well (it also put a lighted spot on the ceiling), but a mounting bracket has to be put together to attach it to the trackball.

I ordered some extras (wedge type and 1157/1156 type) that will soon be sent to Kevin Steele for a proper review.

IMO, they seem like a good alternative for functionality and price.

ss

[DarkKobold]

I've used this company many times for my personal and school projects. Very very fast shipping. Plus, you get a free ugly sticker!

[rdagger]

I was trying to illuminate a clear 3" trackball with a super bright LED last night and was not having much luck.  The super bright LED's emits a very focused beam which the spherical trackball seems to focus even more.  The end result is that I get a weakly illuminated trackball and a very bright colored 10" circle on my ceiling.

[Edgedamage]

This might help or might not. Try putting a piece of wax paper over the LED this might help diffuse the light. Or any plactic that lets light through but is not clear.

[SirPeale]

The problem is you're using a clear trackball.  LEDs are very focused.  Pretty much a beam of light is just passing thru and shining on the ceiling.

[Oldskool]

It looks like a very simple cheap way to light up a trackball or some buttons. No figuring out or wiring diodes simply hook them to 12v and go.

Are 12 or 19 LED clusters a bit of overkill for a TB or coin door?

[TazMan]

I used the 1 bulb LEDs for my illuminated pbs, and 4 bulb leds for the coin door and trackball and they worked like a charm.  By using green leds on the coin door, the buttons appear green, even though they are yellow plastic (default Happ color)

[SS427]

rdagger,

To clarify....The leds (wedge type) that I am currently using for the trackball have a "plastic lens cover" which is not quite clear that helps diffuse the light.  I cannot tell that I am getting much of a focused light pattern at all (don't know if you were using leds from the company in question or regular super bright leds)....The 1157 I mentioned has a cluster like the ones Oldskool mentioned and if they are the same, I did get a light spot when testing it (they have a clear lens).  

I only used one of the wedge type leds for my coin doors (with offwhite lens) and have been happy with them.

ss

[rdagger]

The problem is you're using a clear trackball.  LEDs are very focused.  Pretty much a beam of light is just passing thru and shining on the ceiling.

Actually the clear trackball is narrowing the beam.  When I plug the LED into a bread board it illuminates my ceiling with a 4 foot circle.  When I hold the trackball over the LED, the circle on the ceiling reduces in size to about 10 inches.  The trackball is acting like a magnifying glass.  I was thinking I might be able to use some type of lens to dampen the effect.

It also is not very good for the eyes when you look straight down into the ball.  

[Clonedsheep]

I need to check this info for later so *bump