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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: secret80sman on March 27, 2011, 05:17:32 am

Title: Powering flourescent light in Ms. Pac Man Cabinet Conversion
Post by: secret80sman on March 27, 2011, 05:17:32 am

Hey Everyone,
I'm trying to power the original flourescent light in my cabinet. It has the original three cable connecter on the end of it. Is there a cable available that will have an AC plug on the other end or if possible a plug that I could connect to my PSU on the MAME computer? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Title: Re: Powering flourescent light in Ms. Pac Man Cabinet Conversion
Post by: DillonFoulds on March 30, 2011, 02:10:00 am

Looks like no one's responded yet, what's the actual required voltage of the light? 110-120v, 100v? More? Less?

I'd say figure that out, and following the wiring to find your hot, neutral and ground, and wire as necessary. If it's standard 110v, chop up an ATX (IEC-320) power cable, and wire AND INSULATE!!!! accordingly...

Title: Re: Powering flourescent light in Ms. Pac Man Cabinet Conversion
Post by: Well Fed Games on March 30, 2011, 12:32:25 pm

Just bumping this, as I have the same question. I am sure someone knows, it is a pretty common cabinet!  :D

Title: Re: Powering flourescent light in Ms. Pac Man Cabinet Conversion
Post by: BobA on March 30, 2011, 04:46:01 pm

You can download the whole manual Basement Arcade (http://www.basementarcade.com/arcade/library/manuals/m/mspac.pdf)

But to summarize:

The transformer that the florescent lamp is wired across is shown as the primary side of the isolation transformer 115V to 115V.   It has 3 wires L N and Ground.   There is no connector shown in the manual but there is a filter, ballast, starter and florescent lamp.

Title: Re: Powering flourescent light in Ms. Pac Man Cabinet Conversion
Post by: secret80sman on April 01, 2011, 06:51:21 pm

What does the starter do? Does it have to be pressed when replacing bulbs? I noticed that the lamp connects via a molex connector to a wiring harness that travels down the side of the cabinet to the lower area in the back and terminates in yet another connector. I can probably take a tap there and get an identical connector and break apart an IEC cable like was suggested. Any chance I could purchase one of these premade from someone online? Thanks!

Title: Re: Powering flourescent light in Ms. Pac Man Cabinet Conversion
Post by: BobA on April 01, 2011, 09:42:15 pm

Starter is part of the circuit that fires the flourescent light it does not have to be touched for the light to go on.  It is alot easier to just buy a flourescent light from walmart and wire it it to your cab.