Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Pinball => Topic started by: jrivelli on December 15, 2011, 06:06:36 pm

Title: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: jrivelli on December 15, 2011, 06:06:36 pm
So, when people come over (mostly younger cousins etc), it drives me craaaazy when they have no clue what to push to start the game. Even in the arcade where my games are on route I've seen people put in their quarters and not know wtf to do...yikes!

Anyways, is there a kit or instructions anywhere on a way to change out the button and put in possibly something transparent with a light behind it? I'm guessing this may depend on the game specifically? I have a lot of Williams System 11 games and those seem to be the ones with no lighted start button.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: MaineEvent on December 17, 2011, 04:52:24 pm
So you are an operator.... and you really don't know where to get parts?
Wow, hate to see the games.
Title: Re: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: smartbomb2084 on December 17, 2011, 06:47:42 pm
You can by a lighted start button anywhere.

The problem with this idea is that there is no software command in the games' program to light the button when a credit is accumulated or to turn off the lamp when the credit is used.

Even if you had an available lamp in the lamp matrix you would still have to rewrite the software of the game to use it.

Wouldn't you?
Title: Re: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: jrivelli on December 17, 2011, 09:39:42 pm

The problem with this idea is that there is no software command in the games' program to light the button when a credit is accumulated or to turn off the lamp when the credit is used.



I guess this is my main problem. Anyways, thanks for your help!

I'll look around more. I called marco specialties and there is a lot more to just buying a lighted start button on these games, especially some of the system 11 games.

Quote
So you are an operator.... and you really don't know where to get parts?
Wow, hate to see the games.

I'll take that unhelpful answer as...you don't know :) Thanks anyways!


Also, if they are sooo easy to find and I can get them anywhere. Anyone mind posting links to ones ones they would use?
Title: Re: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: dextercf on December 18, 2011, 11:58:58 am
*thinking-out-loud*

You could piggyback a relay from the coin1 and/or coin2 leads to a circuit which gives out a 5v (or 12v) current for a set time then power off.
Like a timer switch, kinda..?

So that when a coin is validated, it triggers the relay for this circuit which lights a button (or anything, really) for set time. Perhaps 15-20 seconds?
Title: Re: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: jrivelli on December 18, 2011, 02:25:04 pm
Thanks for those last two ideas guys!

PBJ, good plan I can easily figure out in my head how to wire up the light with a translucent button to the playfield lights that come on when quarters are put on. Easy enough.

dextercf, hey thanks as well!

I could just trigger it to the same lights that always come on in attract mode like Theatre of MAgic. That game always tricks me in the arcade and the start button is lit and I think someone left a free game, but nope...
Title: Re: Lighted Start Buttons
Post by: dextercf on December 18, 2011, 04:33:27 pm
dextercf, hey thanks as well!

I could just trigger it to the same lights that always come on in attract mode like Theatre of MAgic. That game always tricks me in the arcade and the start button is lit and I think someone left a free game, but nope...
No problem! That's what forums are for, right?

I was thinking of somewhat like the interior lighting in my car. It stays on for about 20 seconds when I leave the car and slowly fades out..