Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: MiahXGaming on February 23, 2006, 11:50:26 am
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Does anyone know of a way to get sound activated lighting that runs off of AC power rather than PC powered?
For example this module works on PC power to make cathodes sound activated: http://www.xoxide.com/cocasoackit.html
I want the same, but without using a PC power supply (AC outlet powered).
Do something similar to DDR machines.
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I don't know the answer for you but my question is why not us a PC PS? you can get an older next to nothing. I used a freebie from a shop to power the fans in my cab.
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Because...
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What the hell is a cathode? Are they like LED's? Do they last a long time like LED's?
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Well, you could use a standard arcade switching power supply. They have the same +5 and +12 voltages that PC power supplies deliver to the molex connections.
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Does anyone know of a way to get sound activated lighting that runs off of AC power rather than PC powered?
I want the same, but without using a PC power supply (AC outlet powered).
Get a wall wart that outputs 12v DC (or 5v if that's what you want) and wire it up.
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Or get this here (http://www.valuecables.com/PowerAdapters_ADA-ACTOMOLEX--18-161-101274.aspx?source=froogle)
The picture looks odd to me, but the short description sounds right.
Adapter / Transformer converts 110V AC to 12V DC 5.25" & 3.5" Molex connectors.
Item Details
Power Adapter to Convert AC Power to Molex Power Connector
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What the hell is a cathode? Are they like LED's? Do they last a long time like LED's?
Its kinda like neon, but generates no/little heat
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Or get this here (http://www.valuecables.com/PowerAdapters_ADA-ACTOMOLEX--18-161-101274.aspx?source=froogle)
The picture looks odd to me, but the short description sounds right.
Adapter / Transformer converts 110V AC to 12V DC 5.25" & 3.5" Molex connectors.
Item Details
Power Adapter to Convert AC Power to Molex Power Connector
That sounds like the ticket, kudos!
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You would need a step down transformer, that would likely cost about the same as a 12V power supply. I just ran my Cold Cathode off of the 12V on the arcade PS.
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Just as a followup to this previous suggestion I made. I recently bought an $12 USB->IDE connector (the kind of thing you use to hook a hard drive up to a USB port, but without an external enclosure) and it came with a power supply (of course) so you could power up your IDE drive.
The power supply is a 3-prong (grounded) wall plug that goes to a box (transformer) and has a molex connector coming out. You're supposed to plug that molex connector into your IDE drive BUT what it REALLY is is a quick/easy and relatively cheap way to get both 5v and 12v DC from your 120V AC wall socket. And, according to my multimeter, it's pretty close.... much closer than my multi-output wallwart, which is WAYYYY off on the voltage.
Anyway, my point is, for $11 you can get a 'replacement' for your PC Power Supply if you need to run a number of PC-type accessories (like cold cathodes, LEDs, fans etc) but your PC power supply doesn't have enough plugs or is just inconveniently located or whatever.
Here's a link (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=USB2IDE-N&cpc=SCH&srm=0) to what I bought. And a picture of the adapter:
(http://www.geeks.com/imageshare/U/300x300/USB2IDE-N-soft.jpg)
Or get this here (http://www.valuecables.com/PowerAdapters_ADA-ACTOMOLEX--18-161-101274.aspx?source=froogle)
The picture looks odd to me, but the short description sounds right.
Adapter / Transformer converts 110V AC to 12V DC 5.25" & 3.5" Molex connectors.
Item Details
Power Adapter to Convert AC Power to Molex Power Connector
That sounds like the ticket, kudos!
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That looks like a pretty cool little gadget. Did you actually buy your converter from that website? I'm always a bit hesitant to start buying things from random computer websites.
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Does anyone know of a way to get sound activated lighting that runs off of AC power rather than PC powered?
Your best bet here is to try Disco and DJ equipment suppliers.... You can get cheap sound to light controlers from them. Those will drive your Cathodes.
Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
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Because...
But why? ;D
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That looks like a pretty cool little gadget. Did you actually buy your converter from that website? I'm always a bit hesitant to start buying things from random computer websites.
I did buy from geeks.com Computer Geeks (aka geeks.com) is fully legit. I've bought a number of things from them over the last 5 or 6 years.
Also, there are 10% off coupon codes available. Google should bring them up.