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Easy Led Buttons
RandyT:
--- Quote from: TOK on August 01, 2007, 07:34:49 pm ---Where is that "told ya so" smiley? ;)
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I have some of those PILOT LEDs on order for comparison purposes. If they show to have the same output as the NG light sources when I test them, I'll make you a "told you so" smiley for future use :).
RandyT
urbecrisch:
The nearest Pep Boys for me is in Illinois. What is the product number and brand name of the LED's or can I get them at another auto store?
bfauska:
--- Quote from: TOK on August 01, 2007, 06:01:47 am ---
--- Quote from: bfauska on August 01, 2007, 02:32:29 am ---Which buttons are you referring to that will be much cheaper that won't also be more work?
NovaGem + 5v = lit button.
LedWiz + 5v(if lighting more than 5 buttons) + USB + NovaGem = controllable lit button.
Cheaper button + drill + LED + resistor + solder + wire + 5v = lit button
While not being the cheapest option for illuminated concave pushbuttons, the NovaGems look good to me. Using other sources you could save less than maybe $2.50 a button if you were willing to shop several sources, cut and strip wires, drill holes, solder resistors and wires, and cover the resulting product w/ heat-shrink tube. And even after all that work you would probably end up with a product that doesn't glow as evenly or as brightly.
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The 12v automotive option I showed is bright and evenly lit. They are bright enough that the buttons light reflects off the ceiling in the dark. I wouldn't want 7 flashlights blasting me in the face, so any brighter would be silly. Drilling takes all of 5 seconds, no resistors.
My whole lit build was around 40 bucks, and that is with spare LED's since I did different colors and they came in a 3 pack.
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Well it sounds like you could have me here. I see a savings of $1.62 + shipping (provided the automotive LEDs are available locally) - sales tax (unless you live in NY and were paying sales tax from GGG, or you don't pay sales tax in your state.) So lets call it $1.75 a button, if your whole 4 player panel is illuminated that's a savings of about $84 (not sure what 48 buttons is for exactly, but not the right place for that debate.) A substantial savings to say the least. Naturally you have to drill holes now, but if you've already built a cabinet... It also sounds as if the automotive LEDs perform fairly well, at least to the naked eye. So maybe you have found a nice balance of DIY and pre-made that leads to illuminated button glee at a bargain price. At the same time I think that with the markup convenience often gets in todays world, $1.62 isn't too much of a markup for illuminated button assembly.
rlehm:
A few people have offered to buy the LED-Wiz from me. Well, here is your chance. I started the bidding at 0.01 cent. I'll sell it for that if that's all the bids i get. I will ship it very well, don't worry about that.
rlehm:
--- Quote from: bfauska on August 02, 2007, 02:20:01 am ---
(not sure what 48 buttons is for exactly, but not the right place for that debate.)
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5 buttons for pinball, I plunger 2 tilt, 2 paddles
Players 1,2,3 and 4 all use 7 buttons. (I play more than just arcades on my cab.. N64 has a few games that are very arcade like and myself and 3 friends drink beer and have a hell of a time)
Then there is this layout
(player3)(coin)(pause)(player1)(coin)(spinner button)(front end control)(dedicated 4-way button)( front end control)( front end control)(coin)(player2)(pause)(coin)(player4)
A lot of people hate the slikstik quad, and any other 4 player controller. On my wide cabinet i think it looks good. It feels awesome, and it does what i need. I have family/friends heavily into games just like me. It isn't hard to get a night together with the boys.. beer... and button mashing. Betting on street fighter games, or a N64 mario cart race could not be more fun... or, let the women play The Simpsons 4 player. It is a little over kill, but not one visitor has ever complained. I completely understand the hate for this type of setup. I used to collect arcade machines. To even see a picture of a MAME cab made me want to puke. Now, I have the granddaddy:) And I wouldn't have it any other way. My wife is much happier with one machine located in our home. And after slapping on mamemarquees amazing printing, it looks perfect :P