How do you light up Seimitsu Clear Plunger Buttons?

[massive88]

This is my first attempt at making light up buttons, so please excuse the ignorance.  But how and where do you put the LED to light up these buttons?

Theres small holes in the sides where the plunger catches inside the casing, but that was the only option I saw, put an LED at each of these openings and pray for the best?  It seems to small to find any place to drill an access hole for the LEDs...

Does anyone have some insight or more expert advice on how to get these guys to light up nicely?



Picture courtesy of Lizard Lick Amusements

[massive88]

One last quick plea for help!

[Ginsu Victim]

Have you got these already? If not, is your heart set on them? There are alternatives. Why these?

[lettuce]

I have these push buttons....


And am woundering the same thing, theres not much room to play with. I was playing with the idea of unclipping the microswitch at the bottom of the button and inserting a led that way and use really thin wire and then clip the microswith back in place

[massive88]

Have you got these already? If not, is your heart set on them? There are alternatives. Why these?

I wanted the depth that these provide, also I liked that the outside rim of the plunger is the only clear part.

With the screw on attachment though, I dont see how it would be possible to light them up at all.

What other alternatives are there to install in such a short box?  Im aiming to keep the total depth down to 2".

[massive88]

And am woundering the same thing, theres not much room to play with. I was playing with the idea of unclipping the microswitch at the bottom of the button and inserting a led that way and use really thin wire and then clip the microswith back in place

You gave me an idea, it shouldnt be too hard to remove a little material on the side of the base, and on the microswitch too if necessary, on the side where it doesnt snap in, enough at least to let some light gauge wires to pass in.  Inside, between the microswitch and the plunger, there is plenty of space for a small bulb.



Still if anyone has personally done it, or knows a better way, Id love to hear opinons.

[Namco]

I think the blue ones will light up somewhat if you point a couple LEDs at the threads from underneath or from the side. It'd be better if i they were frosted or translucent or something. Try some superbrights on them and take some pics. But the white ones will be tough.

[Kajoq]

Here you go:  Check the thread to shoryuken thats in the video info for a full explanation

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgF1KIIpjDU[/youtube]
http://forums.shoryuken.com/showthread.php?t=149015

[massive88]

Page 4 Kaytrim shows drilled holes similar to what I was talking about.

[RandyT]

Do a search for a thread discussing the lighting of leaf-switch pushbuttons.

Essentially, one would have a plastic ring with an ID close to that of the threaded portion of the button.  In the perimeter of the ring, there would be a couple of holes for LED's. 

They would install by simply sliding them over the body and then tightening the nut.

If you are trying to put them into a wood panel, you might not have room for this.  If so, you could always route a small groove on each side of the button hole and then hot melt some LED's in there pointing at the button sides.

*edit* this obviously would only work on the clear sided variety.

RandyT

[Kaytrim]

Page 4 Kaytrim shows drilled holes similar to what I was talking about.

If I had seen this thread earlier I would have responded.  I normally use 3mm LEDs for these buttons.  Only need a 1/8" hole for them.  The 5mm LEDs need a slightly bigger hole.  Just use a bit of hot glue to keep them in place.  Also the full translucent buttons are better to light up then the ones with the clear plunger.

Here is a slightly fuzy pic of the LEDs installed in a button.

[Franco B]

If you see this Kaytrim bud, I think JohnnyD could do with your assistance in [this] thread. I pretty much had an answer for him but I wasnt 100% on a couple of parts. I thought it would be best coming from the horses mouth so to speak.

[Kaytrim]

If you see this Kaytrim bud, I think JohnnyD could do with your assistance in [this] thread. I pretty much had an answer for him but I wasnt 100% on a couple of parts. I thought it would be best coming from the horses mouth so to speak.

Thanks Franco.  I normally don't frequent the EE forum so I would have completely missed that one.  JohnnyD shot me a couple of PMs and then nothing.  My last reply to him must have gotten lost.

Kaytrim

[lettuce]

Any update on this yet massive88?

[massive88]

Heh sorry no.  Im still working on constructing my stick.  In fact today I tracked down a 1 3/16" hole saw that Im picking up during lunch, and tonight Im off to go cut my wood for the box at a friends house.  This is my first major job like this, and Im learning a lot as I go.  But Im hoping to get the stick up and working first, then look to add the LEDs.

I will most likely do exactly what Kaytim describes and shows, which is drill a hole for 3mm LEDs.  However I need to find some orange LEDs that will work for me, preferably with resistors pre-attached.

Kaytrim, in your button lighting tutorial for lighting up when pressed, are those resistors in line with the LEDs?  Or do your LEDs still need to have a resistor coupled with them?  Also, on the Madcatz Xbox360 pad, do you power your LEDs through the USB, or do you use another power source?  Do you have any pictures of this?

[Namco]

Those lighted buttons are sick, BUT... the wiring diagram gives me a headache. I'll wait until Randy adds an "azn-bling" button lighting setting to his LED Wiz 

[Franco B]

I dont think there will be any chance of Randy adding a similar function as Kaytrims mod (if thats what you mean) to the  LED WIZ purely because you would need another set of terminals on the board for a wire to tell that a button has been pressed and this is unlikely to be added for such a 'small' feature.

This can surely be done via software though. I have a feeling that it may already have been done through one of the LED plugins.

[massive88]

I know its possible to do with Andy's new U-HID, though it seems like an expensive alternative unless you have the spare connections.

For this project though, I am making an Xbox 360 stick (which will also be able to plug into the arcade computer easily through USB), so I think the Ledwiz is out of the question, and Kaytrims mod is a more desirable solution, assuming I understand it enough and have the skills required to reproduce it with his help that is.

[Franco B]

Kaytrim does sell the boards ready to install and im sure he would be willing to give you any help you need with the wiring that you need to do at your end. (I hope im not speaking out of turn here Kaytrim).

I could have swore I asked about the depressed lit buttons ages ago, well before the U-HID and even Kaytrims mod. Ill go see if I can find it. IIRC it was definitely a PacDrive/LED WIZ + software solution, obvoulsly that won't be of use for your aplication but it may help some others (me included  ) if I can find it.

Then again I may have dreamt it, I seem to have had many strange dreams involving this hobby!   

[Kaytrim]

Sent a reply to your PM massive88.  For those who are interested I do sell the boards like Franco says.  The cost is $30 plus shipping.  This includes the board with resistors in place, 6 LEDs of your color choice and full installation instructions.  I make these by hand for now but I am looking at the possibility of having them mass produced similar to Andy and Randy do for their interfaces.

TTFN
Kaytrim

p.s. Here is a pic from the installation instructions I mentioned.