Author Topic: Translucent Microswtich Buttons? (Read 6584 times)

Pegasus37 · « **on:** February 28, 2002, 03:11:32 pm »

???I'm trying to get some translucent push buttons (the long 2" ones to go through wood (3/4" particle board)) and having some slow success through WICO (still waiting to hear back about some color selections...) Anyone know where else I can buy translucent pushbuttons? Specifically red, green, yellow, blue. Thanks for any help.

Pegasus37

ArcadeFX · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2002, 03:43:15 pm »

They are not available in microswitch right? Only leaf?

SirPoonga · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2002, 10:30:41 pm »

Quote

???I'm trying to get some translucent push buttons (the long 2" ones to go through wood (3/4" particle board)) and having some slow success through WICO (still waiting to hear back about some color selections...) Anyone know where else I can buy translucent pushbuttons? Specifically red, green, yellow, blue. Thanks for any help.

Pegasus37

Onl leaf.
BUT I did see microswitch cases that took leaf buttons. AHRD to find, I want some.

1UP · « **Reply #3 on:** March 01, 2002, 12:02:40 am »

If you're just planning to light them, you can use regular Happ pushbuttons and put LEDs inside them.

tektreve · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2002, 07:26:22 am »

Quote

If you're just planning to light them, you can use regular Happ pushbuttons and put LEDs inside them.

ArcadeFX · « **Reply #5 on:** March 04, 2002, 08:19:03 am »

I think you would have to take the button apart and place the light inside where the sprint is now. that is teh only way you could get enough like to show to make any effect.

Anyone have a part number from RadioShack on what light to use? Also how would you power say 30 lights? Could this be done off an I-Pac?

JMDickson · « **Reply #6 on:** March 04, 2002, 12:23:27 pm »

You should only pull about 10 ma off of the I-Pac outputs. You can power a few LEDs at partial brightness with that. You could get a bit more directly off of the keybord output, but they would be always on. Just remember, you should always have a current limiting resistor in series with an LED. Most are rated at 10-20 ma current.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #7 on:** March 04, 2002, 12:30:07 pm »

I would use a 6 or 9 volt power transformer. I have several from old electronics devices, or you can buy new ones at Radio Shack. All of the LEDS on my slot car track are power this way. Don't forget the resistors though, You can search the web for recomendations on the proper Ohmage to use.

1UP · « **Reply #8 on:** March 04, 2002, 11:45:49 pm »

Quote

Are you saying that you didn't bother with translucent PB, but rather just put LEDs in regular PBs?

ErikRuud · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2002, 06:06:14 am »

I was experimenting with this last night.

It is even easier with the Happs vertical pushbuttons. There is already space on either side of the microswitch for the leads.

I drilled a hole through the bottom of the casing and mounted the LED using a small plastic panel mount for 1/4" LEDS. This leaves the led much lower inside the button, no chance of it interfering with the button.

I did not have any high intensity LEDS on hand, so the effect was not great with the lights on. I will get some high intensity ones during lunch today.

tektreve · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2002, 07:14:50 am »

Wow! Very impressive. I was planning on getting a couple of red translucent buttons and just using the red collars with white P1 and P2 start buttons. Then I was going to try to find some way to evenly light up the translucent collar. I think you idea is much better and simpler. I will defintely be trying it out! Thanks.

ErikRuud · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2002, 07:20:30 am »

Here are some links for LED/Resistor info.

http://www.7volts.com/led_resistor.htm

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/led.htm

General LED Info for the curious:
http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/

enemyace · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2002, 10:40:52 am »

Quote

I use high intensity LEDs with a brightness of 1000 to 3000 mcd (depending on color).

ErikRuud · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2002, 11:36:23 am »

I just tried (5 minutes ago) a white 3.6 volt 1100mcd led, and it was definately bright enough to be seen in spite of the office lights here at work. I bought it at Radio Shack, unfortunately their blue LEDs were only in the 500 range.

SirPoonga · « **Reply #14 on:** March 05, 2002, 11:51:31 am »

wonder how well this would work ona black button....

drabbit · « **Reply #15 on:** March 05, 2002, 01:21:43 pm »

Quote

wonder how well this would work ona

1UP · « **Reply #16 on:** March 05, 2002, 02:03:35 pm »

The blue LEDs at Radio Shack were about 1.99 I think... Don't have the package anymore, so I don't know the mcd value, but anything over 1000 is usually visible in daylight! I'll get some more today, so I'll know later.

BTW, on Radioshack.com they've got white LED replacements for flashlight and automotive bulbs. I saw a set of solar Malibu lights at Home Depot yesterday using high intensity LEDs. I'd like to have some lightbulbs that didin't burn out in 10 years...

KeithD · « **Reply #17 on:** March 05, 2002, 02:47:57 pm »

If you want LEDs, try http://www.led.net/index.htm They have a kajillion different kinds of LEDs, from standard bulb replacements for your 64 Chevelle turn signals (heh heh heh) to opnes for your bathroom fixtures. Pricey, but when coll is a must-have, it may be necessary.

Toodles,

K

ErikRuud · « **Reply #18 on:** March 08, 2002, 10:38:54 am »

Now that I can finally get back into this board, I will post the page of pictures here.

I put a page together that shows how I mounted the LEDs, and what they look like when lit up.

http://erikruud.freeservers.com/arcade/buttons.html

Thanks again to 1UP for the idea.

1UP · « **Reply #19 on:** March 08, 2002, 01:55:19 pm »

I was gonna mention LEDtronics, but then the board went down.

You beat me to it!

enemyace · « **Reply #20 on:** March 08, 2002, 02:31:13 pm »

I'm thinking:

Completely white arcade cab, white t-molding and everything, with all white buttons... Flip the power switch, man, watch out! All lime green or blue leds lighting up the whole business.

Lilwolf · « **Reply #21 on:** March 08, 2002, 03:09:23 pm »

ewe....

can't go all white... even with colored images....

1UP · « **Reply #22 on:** March 08, 2002, 03:23:39 pm »

Don't you think illuminated controls would look cooler against a dark panel?


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