Marquee Light

[Malacus]

Has anyone been able to use an original Marquee lamp on a mame cabinet? just curious as I thought my bulbs were all burnt out so I bought the bulb for the marquee and got nothing. is there a way to just stick a plug on the wires and plug it into the wall? or maybe tap the Power Supplys 12v like I did for my coin door lights?

I dont know very much about how the lighting works...

-Mal

I know, if all else fails, I can just find a lamp that takes the same bulb and replace the original - but i'm trying to do my cabinet as cheaply as possible.
(and build a second, better one when I have more experience)

[Nannuu]

No idea, but you can get an 18" under cabinet light at Walmart for $5.99 and just plug that baby in.  Some things aren't worth the time in my opinion.  You might just need a new ballast or starter, they are both cheap at Home Depot.

[Malacus]

that cheap at wally-world? hmm, maybe I'll just do that and not bother with getting the original to work, I'll have to take some measurements.

thanks for the advice!
-Mal

[Ken Layton]

A.M.O.A. (Amusement Machine Operators Association) compliant cabinets have all been standardized on the usual F15T8CW fluorescent light fixture (operating on 120 volts AC) since the mid 1980's for the marquee light.

[Clonedsheep]

No idea, but you can get an 18" under cabinet light at Walmart for $5.99 and just plug that baby in.  Some things aren't worth the time in my opinion.  You might just need a new ballast or starter, they are both cheap at Home Depot.

I second that. Those lights are great at Wallmart. Funny thing is that the replacement bulbs are almost the same price as the new unit.

[CheffoJeffo]

Has anyone been able to use an original Marquee lamp on a mame cabinet? just curious as I thought my bulbs were all burnt out so I bought the bulb for the marquee and got nothing.

I'm going to presume that you are talking about a fluorescent fixture ... chances are it is wired directly to the AC plug in your cabinet already (if not, then there is your problem ... check the wires to see if they go anywhere .... ideally put a meter to it).

Did you replace the starter ? Try that first (they have almsot all been shot on cabs I get) ... they cost about a buck.

http://home.howstuffworks.com/fluorescent-lamp4.htm

Cheers.

[Nannuu]

that cheap at wally-world? hmm, maybe I'll just do that and not bother with getting the original to work, I'll have to take some measurements.

thanks for the advice!
-Mal

I could be wrong, might be $6.99.  But a balast is $5, a starter is a $1 and a light is another $6 so I feel that is cheap enough to warrant the purchase.  HOWEVER, I forgot to mention that it's the little costs under $10 that add up like a mo-fo once your cabinet is done.  So if you really are going for the cheap, getting the current setup to work might be best for you.  And you might learn something about the lighting.

[wrench]

I used these and tapped the 12dc off an extra computer power supply I used for all my lighting,work svery well.I would use at least 2 sets(4light tubes),I used 3 sets ,it depends on how bright you want the marquee


http://store.yahoo.com/svcompucycle/v12inch2ccflblue.html

[Malacus]

Ok, I think I get it a little bit more, I never knew there was an igniter in there! I'm guessing thats why the 'flick' on.

So, I've gathered that I can plug the current lamp into the wall - and that I probaby need a new starter switch.

I don't really like buying online, are there any places I can get one locally? Like a Home Depot or Sears? ooo, didnt search sears website yet....

Anyway, thanks for the help, I'm going to try and locate a starter and then I'll let you know how it turns out!

-Mal

[CheffoJeffo]

I don't really like buying online, are there any places I can get one locally? Like a Home Depot or Sears? ooo, didnt search sears website yet....

I get mine at Home Depot, but be sure to take yours along to match against (I have the odd one that isn't standard).

Cheers.

[Malacus]

The Starter came in a pack of 2 for $1.59 at my local Home Depot.

Came home immediately and installed the starter, replacing the dead MARVEL brand one with a GE brand.

Then installed a power cord to the lamp and, first try, it flicked on!

Thanks for all your help, I originally thought it was impossible to do, but the BYOAC Forum pulled through again! You guys rock!

 
-Mal