Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: HeadRusch on May 24, 2003, 08:42:55 pm

Title: Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: HeadRusch on May 24, 2003, 08:42:55 pm: I can't seem to do the search right, but if I wanted to run a couple of simple white LED's ...driven by my PC's power supply, I know I need wires, led's and I think a resistor to put in front of them.

Can you guys tell me what parts I'd need , either from happs or radio shack? I'm about to place a decent order (optical rotary sticks) from happs so if someone could direct me to what I'd need from happs, that would be great. Otherwise, if you can tell me what I'd need from Radio Shack, that would also be sweet.

I decided I didn't want to spend $20 bucks on a super-brite LED for modding your PC just to bury it in my cab to light two non-functional coin drops :)

In other words: On the cheap ;)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Generic Eric on May 24, 2003, 10:36:18 pm: I know Radio shack workers aren't known to be the brightest some times, but they should be able to point you to the LED and resistors. Just tell them that you are going to use the Power supply as a source of power. I can't see happs being cheaper for this stuff. If you want model numbers, I can't help there, hopefully someone else can
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: paigeoliver on May 25, 2003, 04:29:43 am: Quote from: HeadRusch on May 24, 2003, 08:42:55 pm

In other words: On the cheap ;)

Why go with LEDS? Go with 5 volt or 12 volt bulbs. Your power supply puts that out directly, and that is what is supposed to be behind there anyway. Unless I am forgetting something you shouldn't have to do any resistor kung-fu magic at all.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on May 25, 2003, 10:20:06 am: HeadRusch,

Have you thought about these guys Super Bright LEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm)

They are who I used for my coin door lights.
Their 4 bulb wedge base leds come with a builtin limiting resistor and take 12v - which you can snag from the pc power supply. Plus, they're cheap. Don't know if your coin door had the sockets for the incandescent bulbs; but, if so, these snap right into those.

(http://www.the-mametrix.com/images/leds.jpg)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: KevSteele on May 25, 2003, 10:21:19 am: Here's a good guide to wiring up LEDs to your PC power supply:

http://www.dansdata.com/caselight.htm (http://www.dansdata.com/caselight.htm)

I actually just bought a pre-wired LED/Resistor setup that had a molex connector for PC power supplies. Here's my review:

http://users.adelphia.net/~kevsteele/mame/lazer.html (http://users.adelphia.net/~kevsteele/mame/lazer.html)

Of course, looking at those nifty pre-socketed LED bulbs that TazMan posted about, I realize there is a better way to go. :-\

LEDs are the way to go -- with an average rated life of about 22 years, you'll never change a bulb again. :D

Kevin
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: GearHead on May 25, 2003, 11:44:18 am: LEDs? You don't need to buy too many things. You will have to know what the power supply voltage is.

If you don't want to do the math here are some "safe" values that'll work. They're based on a 20mA, 2Volt LED.

5V power supply - 200 Ohm 1/4 watt resistors, LEDs
12V power supply - 510 Ohm 1/4 watt resistors, LEDs

Here's another tutorial page...
http://www.allelectronics.com/spec/LED_Hook_Up_Guide.pdf (http://www.allelectronics.com/spec/LED_Hook_Up_Guide.pdf)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: shmokes on May 25, 2003, 11:56:02 am: Quote from: paigeoliver on May 25, 2003, 04:29:43 am

Why go with LEDS? ...and that is what is supposed to be behind there anyway.

Paigeoliver is going loco. Happ, themselves make wedge based LEDs to replace those incandescent bulbs so I would hardly say that you are not inteded to put LEDs behind your coindoor. That said you just have to ask yourself, "Would I rather change bulbs once every two to six months or once every ten to twenty years?"
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: paigeoliver on May 25, 2003, 12:31:46 pm: Quote from: shmokes on May 25, 2003, 11:56:02 am
Quote from: paigeoliver on May 25, 2003, 04:29:43 am

Why go with LEDS? ...and that is what is supposed to be behind there anyway.

Paigeoliver is going loco. Happ, themselves make wedge based LEDs to replace those incandescent bulbs so I would hardly say that you are not inteded to put LEDs behind your coindoor. That said you just have to ask yourself, "Would I rather change bulbs once every two to six months or once every ten to twenty years?"

All my games are twenty years old, so I am always speaking from a point of view of what they did back then.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: rampy on May 25, 2003, 10:32:06 pm: Quote from: generic_eric on May 24, 2003, 10:36:18 pm
I know Radio shack workers aren't known to be the brightest some times, but they should be able to point you to the LED and resistors. Just tell them that you are going to use the Power supply as a source of power. I can't see happs being cheaper for this stuff. If you want model numbers, I can't help there, hopefully someone else can

ha.. on the pun... but I actually dealt with a RS employeed who didn't know what LED's were ... nor "light emmitting diodes"... had to call the manager over... they only know how to sell crappy cell phone plans now (and they don't really know how to do that)

*shrug*
rampy

didn't someone have a link for 3 buck high intensity LED's online?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on May 25, 2003, 11:30:34 pm: Quote
*shrug*
rampy

didn't someone have a link for 3 buck high intensity LED's online?

Yep...Super Bright LEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm)
4 LED Wedge Base Bulbs for $2.59 ;D
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: SirPeale on May 26, 2003, 09:43:17 am: Quote from: paigeoliver on May 25, 2003, 12:31:46 pm
Quote from: shmokes on May 25, 2003, 11:56:02 am
Quote from: paigeoliver on May 25, 2003, 04:29:43 am

Why go with LEDS? ...and that is what is supposed to be behind there anyway.

Paigeoliver is going loco. Happ, themselves make wedge based LEDs to replace those incandescent bulbs so I would hardly say that you are not inteded to put LEDs behind your coindoor. That said you just have to ask yourself, "Would I rather change bulbs once every two to six months or once every ten to twenty years?"

All my games are twenty years old, so I am always speaking from a point of view of what they did back then.

Since 20 years ago, LED technology was in its infancy stage, it only makes sense for them to use incandescant bulbs.

However, it's just a smart thing to do to use LED nowadays. Initially more expensive, you'll save money since most are rated for a life of >10 years. Power savings as well, but that's secondary. You also get the added benefit of nearly no heat given off.

To each their own, really, but I'm going to retrofit with LEDs on my coin door. The best part is I don't have to change anything, just pop a bulb in.

nb: wouldn't it be a good idea to use a high mcd red LED, as opposed to a white one? They're cheaper, and most rejects are red anyway.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Frostillicus on May 26, 2003, 10:50:35 am: I used 1 white superbright led with a resistor for each coin door light. It runs off the 5V of my PC powersupply. They installed fairly easily and they look perfect from the outside.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on May 26, 2003, 05:42:02 pm: So do the Led's on the happs site plug into the old light sockets of the coin doors?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on May 26, 2003, 05:50:55 pm: Yep - but they are pretty pricey.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on May 26, 2003, 11:14:22 pm: Well the price doesn't seem too bad, which one should I pick? The T 1-3/4 AND T 3-1/4 WEDGE BASE LED, the T-1 3/4
WEDGE BASE LED or the T-3 1/4 WEDGE BASE LED? I have a D&D 4player cab...
Derek
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on May 26, 2003, 11:50:49 pm: The size I used was T 3 1/4 wedge base.
I thought I remember seeing the Happ's price being like over $10.00 / bulb or something like that... I checked - I guess if you are going to use Red, the price isn't that bad $3.20; but, the white ones are $14.25.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Frostillicus on May 26, 2003, 11:57:13 pm: 10 bucks? An LED from superbrightled's is like 2 bucks tops, add a cheap radiocrap resistor..talking 3 bucks at the most.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on May 27, 2003, 12:00:51 am: Quote from: Frostillicus on May 26, 2003, 11:57:13 pm
10 bucks? An LED from superbrightled's is like 2 bucks tops, add a cheap radiocrap resistor..talking 3 bucks at the most.

I agree "Oh Frosti One" actually the ones I mentioned near the start of this thread have the limiting resistor built-in- and are less than $3.00 :o
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Frostillicus on May 27, 2003, 12:24:08 am: Ah - didn't see that one. good call. Those wedge's are a better solution for folks who don't want to figure out the resistor value, too ;)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on May 28, 2003, 02:10:37 am: How do you think the red wedge offered by happs would look for the red coin return button's? I mean would it lite it up enough you think?
Derek
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on May 28, 2003, 03:08:39 am: Quote from: crashdmj on May 28, 2003, 02:10:37 am
How do you think the red wedge offered by happs would look for the red coin return button's? I mean would it lite it up enough you think?
Derek

I don't know for certain; but, I had asked my rep at Happ's for the specs on their LEDs and she didn't have any. I would guess since they list them as replacement for the illuminated push buttons they may not work that great for the coin door. I know I have a Happ door and added the 4 bulb wedge base leds (from SuperBrightLeds) to each coin return button and that did the trick nicely. I took some pix of them tonight - but I left my card reader at the office - so I'll post em tomorrow.

<Edit> Here's the pic. Keep in mind these are the default yellow plastic coin return buttons from Happ. But with the green 4 bulb led, it helps keep my green theme goin'

(http://www.the-mametrix.com/images/coindoorlights.jpg)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Justin on June 12, 2003, 10:20:22 pm: Well, I don't know about you guys, but my 1983 Centipede coin door does not use wedge base bulbs. These are cylindrical base, twist-in bulbs.

I was thinking of using the original incandescent bulbs, and somehow wire them through a transformer.

The bulbs seem to read: 6.3 V 0.25 A does this sound right?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on June 12, 2003, 10:49:25 pm: Justin,

Are you talking about bayonet style bulbs?

If so, SuperBright carries those also in 6v or 12v.
<Click Here> (http://www.superbrightleds.com/BA9S6_specs.htm)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Justin on June 12, 2003, 10:51:12 pm: yes, these are the ones! Thanks, I will consider these.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on June 12, 2003, 11:44:04 pm: Ok I need help Tazman, which lights do I buy from that SuperBrightLeds? It runs off the 5V from a PC powersupply so do I need anything special to do that?
derek
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on June 13, 2003, 12:25:02 am: Derek, I went the easy route and bought the 12v bulbs from them - since you have either 5v or 12v from the pc power supply.
Does that help?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on June 13, 2003, 12:44:57 am: Do the 12v just plug into the old light socket in the coin return?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on June 13, 2003, 09:07:19 am: Quote from: crashdmj on June 13, 2003, 12:44:57 am
Do the 12v just plug into the old light socket in the coin return?

Yep, they do. Are you looking at wedge based or bayonet nbased bulbs? Is this a Happ coin door or a re-furb from an old cab?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on June 13, 2003, 12:50:17 pm: Um its from a D&D cab which I believe used to be Simpsons cab. Otherwise I don't know what to look for.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on June 13, 2003, 01:39:38 pm: Quote from: crashdmj on June 13, 2003, 12:50:17 pm
Um its from a D&D cab which I believe used to be Simpsons cab. Otherwise I don't know what to look for.

Go scope out the links I put to superbright's website in this thread, there's one for wedge bas and one for bayonet type bulbs. Does you current door have bulbs? If so, just match to the pix at their website. If not, does your door have sockets for the bulbs? If so, do you have a pix of the socket you can send my way?
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on June 13, 2003, 02:19:53 pm: Soon as I get my digital camera working I'll get some pics. Um i just took of the light and socket. Its pretty big with two connectors (i think .187 female connectors) per light. The casing comes apart from the light, there used to be writing but now its not readable. Ill look at work at your page to try to decide which one I have.

edit* The bulb just slides off the casing with a fin like thing at the end.
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: TazMan on June 13, 2003, 03:33:26 pm: Fin like...hmmmmm.... sounds like wedge base bulbs to me.

Super Bright LEDs (http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm)

That's what I used for my coin door lights.
Their 4 bulb wedge base leds come with a builtin limiting resistor and take 12v - which you can snag from the pc power supply. Plus, they're cheap. Don't know if your coin door had the sockets for the incandescent bulbs; but, if so, these snap right into those.

(http://www.the-mametrix.com/images/leds.jpg)
Title: Re:Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: crashdmj on June 13, 2003, 07:26:33 pm: Sweet, just ordered 4 (red, blue, green and yellow) to match my 4 player cab! Thanks Tazman
Derek
Title: Re: Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: Grimoz on August 08, 2011, 10:38:56 pm: On my cab I just cut the opposite end off a USB cable and wired my LED to that, i just plug into my usb port and power it, works fine.
Title: Re: Adding LED's to coin return buttons
Post by: HanoiBoi on August 08, 2011, 10:43:10 pm: This is an 8 year old thread that got reopened by a spammer.