Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Audio/Jukebox/MP3 Forum => Topic started by: kjbalto on March 16, 2009, 09:04:28 am

Title: help with marquee lighting
Post by: kjbalto on March 16, 2009, 09:04:28 am

I used the mameroom jukebox with my laptop inside.  Can anybody tell me what fluorescent light I can use to light up my marquee? I don't have a power supply I can tap into to power it.  I have a power strip in my jukebox that I plug my laptop and amp into.  So I need a light that has a 12v plug.  Thanks for your help. 

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: BobA on March 16, 2009, 09:53:04 am

Any cold cathode light for PC mods runs on 12 V and should work for you.   All you need is a 12V wall wart to plug into your power strip.

http://www.directron.com/coldcathode.html (http://www.directron.com/coldcathode.html)

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: kjbalto on March 16, 2009, 10:58:10 pm

I don't have a pc power supply to hook it up to.  How do I convert that to a wall outlet?

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: BobA on March 16, 2009, 11:19:15 pm

That is what a "wall wart" is for.   It is a small power supply that plugs into an AC outlet and provides a specific output such as 12VDC. 

 Wall Wart (http://www.apogeekits.com/12vdc_adapter.htm)

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: kjbalto on March 17, 2009, 12:21:57 am

I'm new to this, so please excuse my ignorance.  I really appreciate your help though.  So if I buy this light, http://www.directron.com/ccflblue.html   and get the power adapter you showed me, I will be able to connect them without cutting any wires?

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: BobA on March 17, 2009, 09:45:48 am

You might have to strip and connect the wires from the wall wart to attach them to the cfl light.  It depends on what sort of connector is on the end of the wall wart cord.

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: VicBond007 on March 19, 2009, 12:56:44 pm

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100652895

I used something similar in my first arcade machine.  They make them in different lengths.  They're considered "under cabinet lighting" and you can get them at any hardware store.  The glass is diffused so the light spreads out evenly, no need to whip up your own tin foil reflector or anything.  It even has a steady-on rocker switch so you can just leave it on, and toggle it with your power strip.  They only come in white though AFAIK, so if you want blue, like in your link, you'll have to get cutting or buy a gel or something to stick in there.

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: BobA on March 19, 2009, 04:52:59 pm

Marquee area in the Mameroom Juke is 13 5/16 inches by 2 7/8 inches.  A full flourescent maybe a tight fit behind the Marquee.   The LED Nova Matrix from GGG might be an even better fit and would generate less heat.

Nova Matrix GGG (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=83&products_id=307)

Title: Re: help with marquee lighting
Post by: fredster on March 20, 2009, 11:22:38 pm

And for another option....


http://www.superbrightleds.com/

super - bright - leds ....

You can get all kinds of colors and you can run off your computer power supply...
The marquee of a ms pac man caberet is made up of a series of 5 V lights.  These superbright leds can be made to do the same thing with about 1/10th of the power consumption.

Just a thought.