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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: anoon on March 18, 2003, 02:32:52 pm

Title: Illuminating control panel
Post by: anoon on March 18, 2003, 02:32:52 pm: Hey there,

I have transucent leaf switch buttons and want to light them up from underneath. Has anyone tried putting a flourescent lamp inside their control panel box and wiring to the power supply of the cabinet? Would that work?
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: CitznFish on March 18, 2003, 03:34:36 pm: i think you have to use sright LED's.. there are several discussions about this. Try search, or the FAQ at the top of this forum...
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Howard_Casto on March 18, 2003, 03:39:19 pm: The lamp will also work but it's not as good as the light it puts out is rather directional. Of course bright leds are the same way, but they are much brighter and are smaller so you can put one under each button.
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Wienerdog on March 18, 2003, 03:43:47 pm: I thought the bright LEDs are geared towards the Happ non-translucent push buttons. It seemed like the consensus was that an super LED will light up a translucent button like a MOAB.
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: dhansen on March 18, 2003, 03:46:03 pm: This guy used the flourescent light, he seems to like it...

http://home.neo.rr.com/martinko/mame.htm (http://home.neo.rr.com/martinko/mame.htm)

Doug
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: 1UP on March 19, 2003, 01:02:35 am: Quote from: Wienerdog on March 18, 2003, 03:43:47 pm
I thought the bright LEDs are geared towards the Happ non-translucent push buttons. It seemed like the consensus was that an super LED will light up a translucent button like a MOAB.

You can easily reduce the brightness of LEDs using resistors, or just buy less bright LEDs.
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Wienerdog on March 19, 2003, 02:03:12 am: Quote from: 1UP on March 19, 2003, 01:02:35 am
You can easily reduce the brightness of LEDs using resistors, or just buy less bright LEDs.
True, but then I couldn't use MOAB in a sentance...
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Brax on March 19, 2003, 10:27:41 am: Quote from: Wienerdog on March 19, 2003, 02:03:12 am
Quote from: 1UP on March 19, 2003, 01:02:35 am
You can easily reduce the brightness of LEDs using resistors, or just buy less bright LEDs.
True, but then I couldn't use MOAB in a sentance...

Moab?
http://www.moab-utah.com/index.html
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Bursar on March 19, 2003, 11:22:47 am: You can also lightly sand the LED to help diffuse the light. Nothing major, just rough up the casing a little bit.
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: anoon on March 19, 2003, 11:00:40 pm: Cool, thanks for the link Dhansen. I already happened upon a flourescent lamp that fits PERFECTLY in my CP box, I was afraid of interference from the lamp. If that guy was doing it, I'll give it a shot as well. Worst comes to worst, I'll pull it out.
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Xphile on March 19, 2003, 11:11:58 pm: Quote from: Brax on March 19, 2003, 10:27:41 am
Quote from: Wienerdog on March 19, 2003, 02:03:12 am
Quote from: 1UP on March 19, 2003, 01:02:35 am
You can easily reduce the brightness of LEDs using resistors, or just buy less bright LEDs.
True, but then I couldn't use MOAB in a sentance...

Moab?
http://www.moab-utah.com/index.html

I'm thinking "mother of all buttons"..:-)
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Wienerdog on March 19, 2003, 11:37:02 pm: Quote from: Xphile on March 19, 2003, 11:11:58 pm
I'm thinking "mother of all buttons"..:-)
Mother of all Bombs, Mother of all Buttons, you got it.
Title: Re:Illuminating control panel
Post by: Brax on March 20, 2003, 12:41:52 pm: http://www.arcadecontrols.org/arcade.htm

Here's a nice example. IMO one flourecent does the job fine and you don't have to wire up 25 LED's.