(Topic ID: 291104)

Altering playfield lighting

By LORDDREK

2 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 12 posts
  • 6 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 2 years ago by Gotemwill
  • No one calls this topic a favorite

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#1 2 years ago

As I learn and study all things pinball one thing I am noticing is what appears to be some cost cutting in production. Like why drill a dedicated light hole when there is a giant one for a kicker or stand up target right there. The downside being the lighting being off center for plastic illumination and/or glare in the eyes.

A simple enough solution would be to drill for a better location or less invasive would be a topside fixture mount. I have an EM with some really poor bulb locations with the worst being a pair behind targets that end up wasting most illumination on my eyes and not the large colored plastic above it.

I posted with the intent of boring new holes in my ancient playfield but while posting I realized some robust double sided tape and proper fixture might solve my problem.

Either way what are some Pinside opinions and solutions regarding this matter..?

#2 2 years ago

The red colored transparent tubes slid over the lamps that they used a lot on EMs on sockets which were right behind targets helped a lot. Dunno if anybody repros them. I've added a few top-mount sockets for areas that looked like should be lit or lit better before but haven't moved any or drilled new light holes.

#3 2 years ago

I haven't found those tubes in Red but you can get red film from craft store and wrap it around the old one to simulate it. The old ones are always faded.

#4 2 years ago

Thanks for the tips. Not really interested in changing color or diffusing light but any top mounted bulb fixture product you may be aware of would be great. I was just thinking of mounting a small bayonet fixture topside with double sided tape or even a small screw as the remaining hole would be out of sight if removed down the road. Obviously we are not talking about a collectors quality pin here...

#5 2 years ago
Quoted from LORDDREK:

small screw as the remaining hole would be out of sight if removed down the road.

Yeah that's what I did a few times, where the mounting screw can't be seen anyway. I suppose you could use insulated solid copper wire that is thick and stiff (like home electrical wire), secure each underneath the playfield with screws/washers near the pf opening you're going to use, then route/bend the wires up thru the hole to where you want the socket to be (socket/bulb laying horizontally). That way no screws or drilling on top. As long as you don't end up with the wire being visible and sticking out like a sore thumb.

What game is this?

#6 2 years ago
Quoted from frenchmarky:

The red colored transparent tubes slid over the lamps that they used a lot on EMs on sockets which were right behind targets helped a lot. Dunno if anybody repros them. I've added a few top-mount sockets for areas that looked like should be lit or lit better before but haven't moved any or drilled new light holes.

http://www.pbresource.com/lampcov.html#lampc

#7 2 years ago

The Game is Crescendo. Cute enough game not a whole lot going on, can’t stand the 2” flippers but it’s my first pin so I play it daily to keep the relationship healthy. The soft lighting and chimes really send me back in time...

#8 2 years ago

Perhaps start by looking at something like these:

https://www.cometpinball.com/search?q=Flex

Would also recommend the retro frosted LEDs for the older games.

#9 2 years ago
Quoted from isJ:

Perhaps start by looking at something like these:
https://www.cometpinball.com/search?q=Flex
Would also recommend the retro frosted LEDs for the older games.

Yes I am about to order a case of those. Still don’t want to be directly staring at a bulb if I can help it though. Like I said it’s clear a few fixtures are located in less than desirable positions for purely economic reasons.

#10 2 years ago

Sounds like a solution looking for a problem!

#11 2 years ago
Quoted from Gotemwill:

Sounds like a solution looking for a problem!

My favorite kind. According to my wife I’m a Life Improvement Specialist so this pinball mod crap is right up my alley...

#12 2 years ago
Quoted from LORDDREK:

My favorite kind. According to my wife I’m a Life Improvement Specialist so this pinball mod crap is right up my alley...

I get it.

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