Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: mmg1design on October 25, 2014, 08:42:12 am

Title: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: mmg1design on October 25, 2014, 08:42:12 am
I bought one of those arcade signs (from hobbylobby) the last time someone mentioned them in here, and I found a set of lights that work well with it. If anyone else is looking for lights, you can consider these. They use a standard x-mas light bulb, but have a housing that makes it look like a clear G30 light bulb (but not as big).

The quality of light looks warm and retro, exactly what I was looking for.  I found the light set at target on one of their xmas products, it even comes with the right amount of lights; 50 light bulbs. Check out the pics and my blog http://www.mmg1.info/blog/retro-arcade-sign-with-light-bulbs/ (http://www.mmg1.info/blog/retro-arcade-sign-with-light-bulbs/) for more info.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: Mitkraft on October 25, 2014, 09:26:34 am
I saw these signs on ebay from a local seller and my wife also mentioned that she saw them at Hobby Lobby.  I was thinking about getting this one as well as a theater one from the same guy.  Thanks for the light idea.  That is WAY better than the fake lights!
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: SavannahLion on October 25, 2014, 01:47:33 pm
I would cut the wires and make a chaser circuit.
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: mmg1design on October 25, 2014, 04:29:08 pm
I saw these signs on ebay from a local seller and my wife also mentioned that she saw them at Hobby Lobby.  I was thinking about getting this one as well as a theater one from the same guy.  Thanks for the light idea.  That is WAY better than the fake lights!

I don't think you will be dissapointed with the sign, it looks really nice, but just be ready to drill 50 holes. It took me a couple of hours to drill and make small notches so that the light locks into place. I think if I had to do it over, I would just drill a bigger hole and hot glue it on the backside.
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: DaOld Man on October 25, 2014, 08:57:01 pm
Nice job!
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: thomas_surles on October 26, 2014, 07:25:11 pm
Make sure only to buy when metal decor is 50 percent off (every other week)
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: yotsuya on October 26, 2014, 11:13:57 pm
That looks awesome, my friend!
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: ChadTower on October 27, 2014, 09:32:02 am
I would cut the wires and make a chaser circuit.


They make chaser strings too.  No need to bother with a circuit.  Just use a string that does what you want.
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: Sarver Systems on October 27, 2014, 11:28:29 am
What are the dimensions of this sign?
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: PL1 on October 27, 2014, 12:02:28 pm
10 1/2" x 27"

Link (http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/american-girl-crafts-bear-sew-and-stuff-kit-475590/).


Scott
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: SavannahLion on October 27, 2014, 04:05:20 pm
I would cut the wires and make a chaser circuit.


They make chaser strings too.  No need to bother with a circuit.  Just use a string that does what you want.

From the Blog:
Quote
However, yesterday I found a cheap set at target… of all places!. It wasn’t just a set of lights though, it included a sign of its own that reads “HOPE”.
I got the impression that the OP took the string off of yet another sign? Or was it one of those crappy plastic frames that just holds the lights in place?
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: mmg1design on October 28, 2014, 05:09:50 am
I need to look into the a chaser circuit, I think that's a great idea. I wanted to put a link to the set of lights I used, but it looks like its not listed on the website. Instead, here is a pic of the box so you can identify it.

The light set comes with 50 lights, and the Arcade sign has 49 printed "lights"; so you will end up with one light that doesn't get used.
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: ChadTower on October 28, 2014, 11:40:49 am
I got the impression that the OP took the string off of yet another sign? Or was it one of those crappy plastic frames that just holds the lights in place?


That may be true but there's no reason you couldn't use any string of lights that has 'bulbs' that look good.  Or just wire up the lights yourself and reap the chase controller off of an Xmas string.
Title: Re: Lighted Retro Arcade Sign
Post by: SavannahLion on October 28, 2014, 03:51:10 pm
I got the impression that the OP took the string off of yet another sign? Or was it one of those crappy plastic frames that just holds the lights in place?
That may be true but there's no reason you couldn't use any string of lights that has 'bulbs' that look good.  Or just wire up the lights yourself and reap the chase controller off of an Xmas string.

 :dunno Whatever works...

I was thinking if you build your own, you can get exactly the behavior you want. No compromises.