Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: ever1458 on June 18, 2008, 07:18:50 pm
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I'm building a mame cab and decided to light my marquee by buying a 18 inch Flurescent light from happs. I expected their to be a plug on the end but its just two copper wires that look like speaker wire hanging from the light. I know nothing about electrical wiring and I really don't want to burn down my house so can somebody please explain to me how to hook this light up. Thanks.
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Are you sure its a Fluorescent light? The wiring you are describing doesn't sound like Fluorescent lighting. Can you post a pic or the model number of the light?
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it has been my experience that arcade marquee lights require 110v ac current, at least all of the ones that i have do. you would be better off to post some pics though to be sure. if that is the case, the easiest/cheapest way to do it is to buy an extension cord, cut the end off, splice the wires together with some wire nuts or something and plug it in. if you don't feel safe doing that, you can get cheap florescent fixtures at walmart for under $10 that are ready to plug into the wall.
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Or just buy this from LED light strip from groovygamegear.com for only $18.00 It plugs right into your computers power supply and comes on when you power the computer up. Very simple to install and very,very small compared the a fluorescent light. here is a pic of mine installed. I added all the aluminum tape to reflect more light.
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Yes, it is definately a flurescent light. It looks like I will have to do what severdhed mentioned to get this to work as that is what I originally thought. Thanks for the help folks. I wish they would have mentioned at happs that this didn't have a standard plug with it.
FYI, the box didn't even have a name, just something generic like overhead cabinet light. The model number was TL3011 15W
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I have always bought the 10 buck fluorescent light at walmart.
Cheap, easy to mount, and quick to get a replacement when it fails.
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The Happ Fluorescent Light Fixture (http://www.happcontrols.com/lighting/1850.htm) has "Two wire leads for connection" not a NEMA plug (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NEMA_connector). You should be able to get a 2-prong "replacement" plug (similar to one of these from Cooper (http://64.239.63.88/catalog/pdf/H%2021.pdf)) at a hardware store for a few dollars or less. They usually have a simple instruction sheet supplied with them. Most either use screw terminals or self-piercing terminals that make the connection when you press the parts together. If your lighting fixture has two separate wires as opposed to lamp cord (http://www.antonline.com/p_7010500-GP_341186.htm), you'd be better off with the screw terminal type.