Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: eightbit on February 25, 2003, 09:48:51 am
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A source for cheap super bright 12v LED's was mentioned in chat last night-
http://superbrightleds.com/1157.htm (http://superbrightleds.com/1157.htm)
It looks like a very simple cheap way to light up a trackball or some buttons. No figuring out or wiring diodes simply hook them to 12v and go.
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Another nice thing about these is that they are T 3 1/4 wedge base - which means they fit into the sockets provided on Happ coin doors and illuminated push buttons and are much cheaper than the $14.25 white wedge base Leds Happ sells
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Thx for the info!! I wasn't prepared to pay happs prices for LEDs... :P
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I have recently added two of the wedge type leds for my trackball and I am also using them to light the coin doors. They seem to work great. The 1157 type leds put out a lot of light. I am planning on using it instead of the wedge type for the trackball. The wedge type lights the trackball, but I have them mounted like the typical trackball lights and the main part of the light from the leds is not in the correct direction (still works good though). When I was testing the 1157 types, they were held under the trackball and lit up the ball really well (it also put a lighted spot on the ceiling), but a mounting bracket has to be put together to attach it to the trackball.
I ordered some extras (wedge type and 1157/1156 type) that will soon be sent to Kevin Steele for a proper review.
IMO, they seem like a good alternative for functionality and price.
ss
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I've used this company many times for my personal and school projects. Very very fast shipping. Plus, you get a free ugly sticker!
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I was trying to illuminate a clear 3" trackball with a super bright LED last night and was not having much luck. The super bright LED's emits a very focused beam which the spherical trackball seems to focus even more. The end result is that I get a weakly illuminated trackball and a very bright colored 10" circle on my ceiling.
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This might help or might not. Try putting a piece of wax paper over the LED this might help diffuse the light. Or any plactic that lets light through but is not clear.
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The problem is you're using a clear trackball. LEDs are very focused. Pretty much a beam of light is just passing thru and shining on the ceiling.
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It looks like a very simple cheap way to light up a trackball or some buttons. No figuring out or wiring diodes simply hook them to 12v and go.
Are 12 or 19 LED clusters a bit of overkill for a TB or coin door?
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I used the 1 bulb LEDs for my illuminated pbs, and 4 bulb leds for the coin door and trackball and they worked like a charm. By using green leds on the coin door, the buttons appear green, even though they are yellow plastic (default Happ color)
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rdagger,
To clarify....The leds (wedge type) that I am currently using for the trackball have a "plastic lens cover" which is not quite clear that helps diffuse the light. I cannot tell that I am getting much of a focused light pattern at all (don't know if you were using leds from the company in question or regular super bright leds)....The 1157 I mentioned has a cluster like the ones Oldskool mentioned and if they are the same, I did get a light spot when testing it (they have a clear lens).
I only used one of the wedge type leds for my coin doors (with offwhite lens) and have been happy with them.
ss
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The problem is you're using a clear trackball. LEDs are very focused. Pretty much a beam of light is just passing thru and shining on the ceiling.
Actually the clear trackball is narrowing the beam. When I plug the LED into a bread board it illuminates my ceiling with a 4 foot circle. When I hold the trackball over the LED, the circle on the ceiling reduces in size to about 10 inches. The trackball is acting like a magnifying glass. I was thinking I might be able to use some type of lens to dampen the effect.
It also is not very good for the eyes when you look straight down into the ball.
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I need to check this info for later so *bump