Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: DarkSoul1 on August 05, 2004, 06:40:40 am
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Has anyone considered this idea? So the t-molding glows, neon style.
You would need t-molding that would let at least a little light through, such as white or perhaps clear (if it exists).
The trench would have to be slightly deeper than normal to accomodate it.
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Glowire doesn't have a very long lifetime. So you might need to replace it and that would be awkward if it's behind the t-molding. Dunno if they have it in those lengths. Maybe its too thick to fit in the slot. etc
Would be cool though.
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I doubt very much that glow wire would put out enough light to make the t-molding glow.
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I've used EL quite a bit and I can almost guarantee that you won't notice it behind T-molding. It's a very subtle glow
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...nice idea though :)
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I had the same Idea, contacted T-molding.com and asked about clear molding. They sent me out a piece, and I tried Red, Blue, Green, and white EL wire, none were visable with the lights on, and only the blue and white could be made out in the dark. (plus you have to cut and glue the T-molding in because the wire is over 1/8" diameter).
Thought it would be cool too, unfortunatly it doesn't work too well.
My new thought and I'm just waiting for for it to show up now is to use 2 strips of 1/4" wide EL tape on either side of the t-molding groove, and then press the clear T-molding in....... ;)
sd
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What about drilling a bunch, and I mean a bunch, of holes along the t-molding groove and putting hi-intesity LEDs in there? It certainly wouldn't give a consistant glow but it probably would look cool...
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i know im not the first, but i plan on using rope lights for basically the same effect..
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use fiber optic cable. never goes bad.
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I want to hear peoples opinions on what the BEST kind of glowing wire is seeing as how people on this board use it and I want to buy some at some point for my cabinet :). Thanks
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Another idea might be to route a small groove around the edge of the CP (on the top side) and then inlay the glow wire or whatever you use.
Some nice effects could probably also be achieved with even more creative use of router patterns all around the CP.
Obviously, this setup would primarily be for those with plexi/lexan covered CP's
"No matter how good she looks, there will always be some other guy somewhere, who is sick of putting up with all her crap"
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I've bought my glow wire by the spool in the past. I did a acrylic coffee table out of CD's for a friend, and used about 150' of wire in it. As long as you use a good inverter, and don't go for maximum light output, it can last 5000-6000 hours. With 150' in his coffee table, it glows a very bright red, and can easily be seen with the lights on, in a cab though where your only talking 10' under the t-molding, its much too weak, But around the edge of the CP is a pretty good place. I'm working on something for mine now, routing a very small channel into the acrylic CP top to fill from behind with EL.... EL acts much like neon in the respect that if you vary the input freq. and duty cycle you can get some cool effects. Ever seen neon that seems to light up from one end, then slowly illuminate over its length? I'm working on that type of effect that will "write" out the name of my cab over the CP.....
If your going to be buying a bunch of EL wire, forget the 6 foot and 10 foot kits etc... They charge a arm and a leg for the stuff. You can find it online for around $1.50 a foot, and about $5-$10 for a inverter, depending on how much you are trying to light up.
sd
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ive had some little squares of EL, (nightlights), and they work pn a 120v AC line. do you actually need an inverter for EL wire?