SUPER EASY COIN LIGHT SOLUTION!

[MameMaster!]

Have you been wondering just how to easily light your coin slots?  

Well I just came across this:

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=301455&pfp=SEARCH

for $14.00 they're two super bright LEDs that run off of a USB cord (built in). They can be set to any one of 7 solid colors and even blink to the beat of music (or game sounds).

They come with doodads that look like a short clear straw which makes the look like mini neon tubes (you get a set of two). All you have to do is pull them out- the straw thingy that is-- as they're only held on w/friction.....and bingo! two super bright LED lights in any one of 7 magical colors.

Oh the joy. I can't wait to install these tonight!

The MameMaster

[TheTick]

Good find.

I never thought of using the stupid USB Laptop LED that came with my numeric keypad... the set was $10 at microcenter; both wound up in a junk drawer somewhere. Everything else in my podium is USB, whats one more device.

[MameMaster!]

I just installed my doohickes last night......LET THERE BE LIGHT!  

It worked great, exactly as I had hoped....I'll post a couple of pics tonight or tomorrow. Super bright (the package actually warn you not to look at them directly-- which of course I did before I installed them --- and I saw spots for a half hour!)......coin slots. What more can I ask for?

The only problem is I'm running out of things to tweak/add to my machine!.....as we all know that's half the fun! (maybe more?).

The MameMaster

[MameMaster!]

Whut up dogs? (so, sorry that's my Brooklyn, NY side coming out).

Anyhoo....my USB lights worked liked a charm. Here are the pics to prove it.

For the time being, I just used Duct Tape to hold my lights in place (I'll use epoxy later when I have the time to do it right); and behold!....perfect (no heat) lights.

Enjoy!!

The MameMaster   (I gotta wear shades because my coin door is SO bright!   )

[MameMaster!]

...I still can't figure out how to attach more than one pic!  

Here's how she looks in the dark.

[MameMaster!]

 

The MameMaster  

[Sasquatch!]

Cool info, mamemaster.  Thanks!

[SirPeale]

But...your coin door doesn't work.

[MameMaster!]

...yeah the door don't work...but that ain't the point.

I got workin' lights!  

Besides, I need to open it to get to my Dreamcast, XBox and PC.

 

The MameMaster

[IceCold]

I used super bright LED's with a resistor wired up to my PC's power supply.  It looks much cooler in person, instead of this dark and blurry picture.  Here's how the pic looks

[MameMaster!]

I used super bright LED's with a resistor wired up to my PC's power supply.  It looks much cooler in person, instead of this dark and blurry picture.  Here's how the pic looks

Yeah, I thought about doing that...but the plug and play aspect of the USB was too hard to resist. I have 6 USB ports and 4 were not being used......

Even thought it's a small detail....it's fun to have them shining isn't it?

 

[TheTick]

Fortunately CompUSA isn't enforcing their stupid 15% restock.

I picked those Antec LEDs up. The multi-color is a nice feature...
Too bad the "constant on" does not remain on after reboot. You'd have to go back into the machine and tap a button to get it going again.

I  just placed an order for the Happs T-wedge LEDs. At least the resistor is already there, and the lights are all lined up. I've already nearly fried the ipac about 4 times now while hacking different leds to the 5v, whats one more time?

I think they call all of them "super bright" now. Its like "Diet" and "Lite", there are no official standards regulating its use.

[djsting]

Tick,

I wish that I had seen your post before, I bought mine on 7/29 and just plugged them in and found the same problem you did.  Guess that I'll be returning them too.  That really sucks since this would have been a GREAT solution to the 'how do I light my coin door' question.  

[TheTick]

Well the Ipac 5V solution finally works for me (as long as NumLock is on)
Edit-> come to think of it... I had LEDs from Happs hooked in the machine I recently sold, but the coin return was actually square buttons I inserted "coin rejects" into. It was a last minute hack before he picked it up. The "numlock" requirement was the only remaining problem.

You could buy two hard drive LEDs with leads from MicroCenter. Cut them both in the middle and wire them together so there is one set of leads coming out. Reconnect that one of the black jumpers, and plug it onto the Ipac's LED header (either scroll lock, numlock, or caps lock). Basicly what I did but I bought the overpriced LEDs from Happs just so I could use those stupid white lamp holders.

For some reason the 5v and gnd on the LED header doesn't supply a full 5V?? Someone posted a diagram for rapid fire on the ipac. He's using the 5v from the LED header and one of the GNDs on the screw terminal. I'll give that a try if I get sick of making sure numlock is on.