How to turn off Trackball light?

[XtraSmiley]

Hey guys, I just set up my SlikStik panel (which did take forever plus a day to get here) and the first thing I'm having problems with is that I can't turn off the trackball light.  It seems to get the power from the keyboard encoder.  I leave my MAME machine on 24/7 since it is my bittorrent machine and I don't want the light to burn out or waste power.  Is there a way to turn this off via software?

[acevedor2]

No way to do it via software.  That said, you could install a switch.  It would be quick and easy and only cost a couple of bucks.

To be truthful though, seems like a waste of time and money.  The light from the trackball uses almost no money at all in power - especially when compared to the fact that you already indicated you leave your machine on 24 seven (so do I  by the way).  I have the happ lighted trackball on mine as well and have no issues.  The bulb is easy to change and costs 2 bucks or so if it blows.  Not enough to go through the hassle in my opinion.  Best of luck and cheers.
Ray

[XtraSmiley]

No way to do it via software.  That said, you could install a switch.  It would be quick and easy and only cost a couple of bucks.

To be truthful though, seems like a waste of time and money.  The light from the trackball uses almost no money at all in power - especially when compared to the fact that you already indicated you leave your machine on 24 seven (so do I  by the way).  I have the happ lighted trackball on mine as well and have no issues.  The bulb is easy to change and costs 2 bucks or so if it blows.  Not enough to go through the hassle in my opinion.  Best of luck and cheers.
Ray

Ray, thanks for the info.  I think the light I have is an LED one only b/c my TB doesn't get hot like my Crystal Castles one, so probably would last longer as well, I just didn't know if it is a good idea to let it run all the time.  Thanks for the input.

[FrizzleFried]

If you don't want the light take the bulb out...

...if you are worried about cost you MAY spend an extra buck a year on that little bulb or you can go get an LED module and spend cents a years.

[XtraSmiley]

If you don't want the light take the bulb out...

...if you are worried about cost you MAY spend an extra buck a year on that little bulb or you can go get an LED module and spend cents a years.

Thanks for the ideas, but I think you missed my reply.  The light is an LED and it's not a big deal it is on if it doesn't use much power, I just didn't know if it was OK to be on 24/7.

Thanks for the help guys, I guess I'll just leave it on for now.