Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: juggle50 on January 23, 2006, 06:41:29 pm

Title: Incandecent Lights: How hot is too hot
Post by: juggle50 on January 23, 2006, 06:41:29 pm

Hey guys, I'm running a cocktail machine and I'm installing lights behind the milky plexi glass panel above the control panels.  I've lit them with 4 (two each side) 12 volt 3 watt frosted incandecent wedge bulbs.

I'd like to move up to 5 watts but I'm wondering if that would be way too hot in the cab.  I'm reluctant to light them with LEDs becasue it's a retro cab and I'd like to use incandecents like the original.

I know the original pacman cab was lit with a 14 volt bulb but I can't for the life of me figure out what wattage it was.

Thank you 

Title: Re: Incandecent Lights: How hot is too hot
Post by: Ken Layton on January 23, 2006, 11:49:23 pm

The Midway table cabinets used # 194 miniature lamps. They are 12 volt commonly used on automobile dashboard lights. Available at any auto parts store and sometimes in the automotive section at grocery stores.

Title: Re: Incandecent Lights: How hot is too hot
Post by: juggle50 on January 25, 2006, 12:35:16 pm

Do you think four 5 watt bulbs is too hot?

Title: Re: Incandecent Lights: How hot is too hot
Post by: BobA on January 25, 2006, 03:46:59 pm

The bulbs used are typically 3 or 4 watts.   P=VxI where v=12 and I=.3A or less. So 2 5W bulbs are more than those usually used (194) by a couple of watts.  You will have to determine if they are too much by checking the heat load yourself.  Since the heat buildup depends on ventilation and how close the lamps are to the plastic there is no way for anyone to say whether you will or will not have a heat problem.

You are adding heat load so with little or not ventilation all I can say is that it will get hotter and only you can judge if it is too hot.