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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: madk on May 30, 2006, 05:06:18 pm

Title: Wiring my coin door lights to PC
Post by: madk on May 30, 2006, 05:06:18 pm

(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a376/madk/Picture053.jpg)

Here is what I am working with.  This is the lamp off of my old coin door I am restoring.  I want to wire these up to my pc but am comfused a bit.  I googled and found this: http://www.retroblast.com/articles/coindoor.html

What confuses me is that my lamps have 3 wires coming from them.  Being a rookie with this stuff I am unsure as to which wires are what.  Could someone help point me in the right direction.  I'd love to get these all wired up tonight!

Thanks,
Matt

Title: Re: Wiring my coin door lights to PC
Post by: madk on May 30, 2006, 05:18:04 pm

Ok I figured out the obvious.  The red wires are the ground and where just in a chain with the other grounds that went to the other light and the switches. 

Now my question is how do I know how many volts these lamps use.  Is there any way or should I just go buy some new ones.

Title: Re: Wiring my coin door lights to PC
Post by: gonzobrian on May 30, 2006, 05:41:11 pm

Well you computer puts out either 5 or 12 volts.  I personally use 14 volt bulbs connected to the computers 12 volt rail and it work fine.  I did that because I found 14 volt bulbs that fit my fixtures.  Its really up to you and what kind of bulbs you find. 

Title: Re: Wiring my coin door lights to PC
Post by: Quarterhorse on May 30, 2006, 06:46:10 pm

An easy thing I did was find an old 12 volt wall wart (I used one that had plugged into a cable modem that went kerplunk), cut off the end of it, and splice into it.  Then you could save some of your pc power slots for other things.  Those lamps are usually 14volts and mine gives 12 volts.