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Cheap Lighting for Marquee

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kahlid74:
You can get a 12" or 18" fluorescent light from Menards or a hardware store for 5-10 bucks.  Works fantastic -

http://www.menards.com/main/lighting-fans/indoor-lights/fluorescent/18-single-fluorescent-striplight/p-1475030-c-7242.htm

MaxAsh:
I've been trying different lighting methods beyond the standard fluorescent tube method. So far, my favorite easy/cheap method has been the simple 12V LED strip light. Here's a pic of a trial install on an old Time Killers cabinet. There's only a single strip (24") in there. A whole 5 meter reel of lights costs about $5 on ebay (including shipping). 24" of the strip is maybe $0.75 worth of the $5 reel I bought. You can hook them directly to the 12V on the power supply (normal arcade or computer PSU if you're MAME'd).

Only catch is, as you can see, they're very bright. In this image I have them aimed directly at the marquee. Looks pretty good even like this, but you can alternatively aim them differently, or even use a distribution method to spread the light if you feel it's too direct. Looks good in my opinion. Only thing you might want to consider is going for a non-bright-white (aka "warm white") light if you feel this is too shockingly white. I haven't tried that variation on white yet, so I can only share my bright-white experience so far. Personally, I like it.

Caparo8bit:
the bes option is this it will cover all marquee with light...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-5M-3528-LED-Strip-Light-300leds-44key-Remote-Controller-12V-Power-Supply-/200883830141?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2ec59bfd7d

MaxAsh:

--- Quote from: Caparo8bit on June 12, 2014, 01:40:00 pm ---the bes option is this it will cover all marquee with light...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-5M-3528-LED-Strip-Light-300leds-44key-Remote-Controller-12V-Power-Supply-/200883830141?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2ec59bfd7d

--- End quote ---

That's basically what I bought, though I opted for simply white and didn't go with the wall adapter/remote control setup. I picked up just the reel of LED lights (5 meters) for under $5 with shipping included. If you get just the LED strip, you can wire it directly to a 12V DC source (switching power supply, computer power supply, whatever you've got) instead of worrying about a wall socket. Caparo8bit's link is great if you're looking for color-changing or remote control for an extra $10. If you're fine with one color and wiring it up, $5 will get you what you need LED-wise. Plus, you've got plenty of extra lights left over for other projects or additional cabinet lighting.

Caparo8bit:

--- Quote from: MaxAsh on June 13, 2014, 11:38:49 am ---
--- Quote from: Caparo8bit on June 12, 2014, 01:40:00 pm ---the bes option is this it will cover all marquee with light...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RGB-5M-3528-LED-Strip-Light-300leds-44key-Remote-Controller-12V-Power-Supply-/200883830141?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2ec59bfd7d

--- End quote ---

That's basically what I bought, though I opted for simply white and didn't go with the wall adapter/remote control setup. I picked up just the reel of LED lights (5 meters) for under $5 with shipping included. If you get just the LED strip, you can wire it directly to a 12V DC source (switching power supply, computer power supply, whatever you've got) instead of worrying about a wall socket. Caparo8bit's link is great if you're looking for color-changing or remote control for an extra $10. If you're fine with one color and wiring it up, $5 will get you what you need LED-wise. Plus, you've got plenty of extra lights left over for other projects or additional cabinet lighting.

--- End quote ---
great idea wiring directly in to a 12v Source. :applaud:

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