coin lights

[mr_doles]

Got a question about adding lights to my coin door.  I have a Coin Controls double frame mini door in a Dynamo Cab.  I have the wires and the wedge lampholder just not sure about the lights itself.  Looking at other threads and google searches I see people talking about 5V lights and 12V lights, the coin control manual shows the part as a 6V wedge base lamp.  What voltage do I need to get and is this something I can pick up in the automotive section of Wallmart or Lowes or is this a special order.  I know Coins Controls has changed hands and no longer makes these.

[Ken Layton]

Generally, Dynamo used 6 volt lamps powered from the +5 volts of the power supply. However, there are some Dynamo cabinets out there that are wired to feed +12 volts to the coin door lamps.

If you have 5 to 6 volts going to the wedge base coin door lamps, then these bulb numbers are acceptable: 555, 159, 259.

If you have 12 volts going to the wedge base coin door lamps, then these bulb numbers are acceptable: 161, 194, 658.

[RayB]

Bob Roberts recommends using the 12 volt line, since most boards are too sensitive to the +5v and if a bulb burns out, it can cause a dip, spike or increase in the voltage

[Ken Layton]

Now here is where I disagree with Bob Roberts. I use the +5 volts to power coin door lamps. For one thing, the +5 volts is "protected". If there's a short circuit, the +5volts output simply shuts down usually without damaging the power supply. The vast majority of power supplies have plenty of "headroom" (amperage) available that a couple of coin door lights are not going to overload anything. The +5 volts is also "soft start".

The +12 volts and -5 volts are not protected. If there is a short circuit (even momentary) like say from a +12 volt lamp filament burning out, you'll blow the power supply.

[RayB]

Now here is where I disagree with Bob Roberts. I use the +5 volts to power coin door lamps. For one thing, the +5 volts is "protected". If there's a short circuit, the +5volts output simply shuts down usually without damaging the power supply. The vast majority of power supplies have plenty of "headroom" (amperage) available that a couple of coin door lights are not going to overload anything. The +5 volts is also "soft start".

The +12 volts and -5 volts are not protected. If there is a short circuit (even momentary) like say from a +12 volt lamp filament burning out, you'll blow the power supply.

Good to know, and I trust your opinion 100%!

[LLUncoolJ]

You wouldn't happen to know what bulbs are used in the coin door for  a Williams system 11 pinball (1989 Earth Shaker), wouldja?

[SirPeale]

Probably 555.  Either that or 44/47.  I can't remember if they're wedge or bayonet based.

[LLUncoolJ]

Probably 555.  Either that or 44/47.  I can't remember if they're wedge or bayonet based.

Cool, I know I have some 47's, and I think I may have some 555's. I haven't had time to toy with it much lately. I am expecting the arrival of my new baby (Theatre of Magic) this weekend. Maybe that beauty will prod me into cleaning up ES.

[SirPeale]

A good rule of thumb with pin lighting is that 555 and 44/47 are the most common bulbs used.  You can't go wrong with having them on hand.