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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: leapinlew on February 16, 2012, 08:43:02 am

Title: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: leapinlew on February 16, 2012, 08:43:02 am: I'm looking for an off the shelf solution to lightup about 6 LED buttons. I just want to provide a power and a ground - no soldering. Can you guys point me to where I would find something?

The purpose of my next build will be speed. I don't have much time and I'd like to finish a cabinet pretty quickly once the build starts.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: Nephasth on February 16, 2012, 09:52:12 am: What buttons will you be using?
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: BobA on February 16, 2012, 10:03:00 am: If you have some designed for leds you may have a small hole under the switch area where an LED can be pressed in. If not people sometimes drill holes in the side and put small LEDs there. Proper lead dressing is very important under the switch area as the plunger has to clear all the wires.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: Kangum on February 16, 2012, 10:27:36 am: the novagems from groovygamegear are the only lighted pushbuttons i know of that are half decent and use the normal translucent colored pushbuttons. you pick the button color and led color at checkout. not sure how their stock is though. its the easiest and fastest way to do it though i think.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: Green Giant on February 16, 2012, 10:53:27 am: Quote from: leapinlew on February 16, 2012, 08:43:02 am
I'm looking for an off the shelf solution to lightup about 6 LED buttons. I just want to provide a power and a ground - no soldering. Can you guys point me to where I would find something?
The LED row in Frys probably has something. Check out your local Frys.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: drventure on February 16, 2012, 11:10:55 am: If you just want em lit, I'd probably look at LED Christmas lights, they'll be wired, safe and all you have to do it plug them into a powerstrip.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: Necro on February 16, 2012, 11:23:10 am: For no soldering, buy lighted buttons - easiest way. If you want to light something you have, I recommend the under-button lights from Paradise Arcade. They're bright as hell, but the work well and aren't too difficult to solder (hell, I did it).
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: Xiaou2 on February 16, 2012, 12:53:58 pm: Quickest? Probably a standard drop-in florescent tube light fixture.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: Necro on February 16, 2012, 03:39:03 pm: That's actually a good point. If you just want everything lit, use a few CFL's... would do a decent job.
Title: Re: Easiest way to light up some translucent buttons
Post by: BobA on February 16, 2012, 04:46:25 pm: Sounds easy but use foam strips inside the CP and around the monitor to prevent the light from leaking and showing all the panel tolerances.