The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Arcade Collecting => Miscellaneous Arcade Talk => Topic started by: mr_doles on July 15, 2009, 10:27:54 pm
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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%!
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You wouldn't happen to know what bulbs are used in the coin door for a Williams system 11 pinball (1989 Earth Shaker), wouldja?
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Probably 555. Either that or 44/47. I can't remember if they're wedge or bayonet based.
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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.
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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.