Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Trimoor on November 11, 2004, 06:07:36 pm

Title: LED sources?
Post by: Trimoor on November 11, 2004, 06:07:36 pm
I know this has been asked many times, but the search yields nothing.

Where is the best place to buy low quantities of super bright discreet LEDs? (in terms of cost)

I am looking for a bunch of extremely bright LEDs to light up random parts of my arcade.
Title: Re:LED sources?
Post by: Samstag on November 12, 2004, 12:42:14 am
Lsdiodes.com is a good place to buy small quantities.  They've got very bright, super bright, and some insanely bright LEDs (so bright they require a heatsink!).  They're also very good about making the specifications available online.
Title: Re:LED sources?
Post by: Trimoor on November 12, 2004, 01:43:25 am
This is just what I was looking for, but where are the insanely bright LEDs?

Do you mean the Luxeon star?  Because they no longer sell those.
(If you know who does, let me know.  5 watt LED?  Insane!!)

Thanks!
Title: Re:LED sources?
Post by: Samstag on November 12, 2004, 02:45:55 am
I was thinking of the Luxeon/Lumiled series they used to carry.  I didn't realize they stopped selling them.  The THC line is also very bright (possibly too bright).  They'll be as bright as a high-end LED flashlight.
Title: Re:LED sources?
Post by: rdagger on November 12, 2004, 12:22:07 pm
Ebay is a great source for LED's.
Title: Re:LED sources?
Post by: johnnysmitch on November 12, 2004, 01:22:19 pm
I've orded from LSdiodes too, and am extremely happy with their service (they even give freebies w/quantity orders).  Their LEDs are very good quality, and they keep their shipping rates VERY fair (many LED sellers charge insane amounts for shipping).  As far as ebay goes, if you want LARGE quantities, you do get the best deal on ebay. Most of the sellers ship from hong kong tho, so shipping rates/time are significantly higher, and I've found that the quality of LEDs fluctuates quite a bit (I find that I have to test each one to check/match brightnesses before installing anywhere).
Title: Re:LED sources?
Post by: warreng on November 12, 2004, 04:50:29 pm
We ordered ours from SuperBrightLEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm)
Look for the wedge base bulbs about 3/4 of the way down the page. These are already 12v so its easy to power them from the PC power supply and are offered as singles as well as 4, 6 and 9-way clusters. Depending on what coindoor you have, the coin return slots may already be set up for this type of base (mine was). If not (or if you want to add a light under the trackball) you can buy the socket at an auto parts store.

Retroblast has some good write-up's here (http://www.retroblast.com/articles/coindoor.html) and here (http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/superbright.html). Prices are very cheap as was shipping and they arrived very quickly.

-warren