(Topic ID: 332512)

Ode to Yoppsicles

By swampfire

1 year ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 91 posts
  • 32 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 36 days ago by dyopp21
  • Topic is favorited by 12 Pinsiders

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Topic poll

“What’s your take on Yoppsicles?”

  • Never heard of them. 7 votes
    13%
  • Love them! 34 votes
    65%
  • I’m interested, but worried about how hard they are to install 5 votes
    10%
  • I prefer old school inserts sockets that cut my fingers and don’t work sometimes 4 votes
    8%
  • I have used Yoppsicles in a manner for which they are not intended (please elaborate) 2 votes
    4%

(52 votes)

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There are 91 posts in this topic. You are on page 1 of 2.
14
#1 1 year ago

I love Yoppsicles. I’m switching my old Bally pins over one by one. I’m not against incandescent, in fact I still use #44 bulbs for GI. Anyway, I asked ChatGPT to write this little poem:

Ode to Yoppsicles

Out with the old, in with the new,
Yoppsicles shine bright and true.
Replacing bulbs, one by one,
Their radiance outshines the sun.

Not only are they brighter, you see,
Yoppsicles use less energy.
They last forever, never a burnout,
A technological feat, there's no doubt.

Pinball machines sparkle and gleam,
Better than any incandescent dream.
Thanks to Yoppsicles, we're seeing the light,
More efficient and reliable, what a sight!

So let's raise a glass to this innovative find,
Yoppsicles are one of a kind.
Thank you for bringing us this new tech,
Our pinball machines have never looked so fresh.

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#2 1 year ago

I forgot to mention what I like best: they don’t call attention to themselves at all. They look maybe 10-20% brighter than incandescent, but if you use warm white they look really similar. I have a mix of Yoppsicles and incandescent in Embryon at the moment, and it looks fine.

I’ve done 4 games now, and on average it takes about 4-6 hours to do. Removing the old crappy sockets is by far the hardest part. In most cases I have to suck the solder off the screw so I can get a 1/4” nut driver around it. Once the socket is out, it’s pretty fast installing the Yoppsicle. That’s why a playfield swap is the ideal time to install them. You can solder both sides. But I’ve found that just putting the braid under the screw work’s for the +5V side. On the ground side, I flow a bit of solder on the pad, and heat that and the wire at the same time. If you hold the wire far back enough it doesn’t burn too much

Occasionally I will use a standard socket instead of a Yoppsicle, for inserts that are so clear you can see the LED board through it. Mostly this is just the Extra Ball inserts.

#3 1 year ago

Love them and used them in when I could

#4 1 year ago

Love them.

Here's a repost of the bottom of an Eight Ball playfield:

EightBall Yoppsicle (resized).jpgEightBall Yoppsicle (resized).jpg
#5 1 year ago

I don't have anything against them except for the fact that they don't look factory. When I do a restore, I go for the factory look. I do like LED lighting. Because of that, I go new sockets with Comet LEDs. I also like to see the dome of a bulb through translucent inserts.

20221012_190918 (resized).jpg20221012_190918 (resized).jpg
#6 1 year ago

Just got my first batch in the mail today! Looking forward to replacing all those bracket-mounted sockets on Meteor. Seems impossible to band-aid those reliably with the usual socket fixes.

#7 1 year ago

LOVE EM! Ive converted my Kings & Queens, Medusa, and am almost done with Flash Gordon. Yopps for the win!

7729A447-CB65-40DD-84CF-54D4B528551B (resized).jpeg7729A447-CB65-40DD-84CF-54D4B528551B (resized).jpeg781DCC86-D7AC-40F5-B713-A92EE7B3F30D (resized).jpeg781DCC86-D7AC-40F5-B713-A92EE7B3F30D (resized).jpegBBC078FA-2113-400B-8BFC-031D1B18A246 (resized).jpegBBC078FA-2113-400B-8BFC-031D1B18A246 (resized).jpeg
#8 1 year ago

Yopps are awesome! I’ve converted 10 machines so far. It’s nice seeing all the controlled lamps working when they should. Best invention since sliced bread!

#9 1 year ago
Quoted from Spitfiren8:

LOVE EM! Ive converted my Kings & Queens, ...

I have a K&Q to redo myself...gonna be fun!

#10 1 year ago

I did a Nugent a few months back and they look great. Game had like 10 bad sockets, now is very reliable and crisp

#11 1 year ago

I just got a text on my phone with a link to a Pinside post, which is a first. Then I open it to see this. I’m so very flattered @swampfire! And thanks for your multiple orders!

You mentioned using the original sockets for large clear inserts. I’ve started using the tops of old frosted LEDs I have lying around that have lost their brightness after years of use. I just pop the top off, then a spot of superglue to secure it over the raw led on top of the Yoppsicle. Looks like a regular LED then.

Also, I use them in pop bumpers by snipping off the back end of them and soldering a couple of wires that I run through the pop bumper holes to the bottom of the playfield. Works better than those old pop bumper sockets.

#12 1 year ago
Quoted from yancy:

Just got my first batch in the mail today! Looking forward to replacing all those bracket-mounted sockets on Meteor. Seems impossible to band-aid those reliably with the usual socket fixes.

Thinking about doing this to my Meteor also. If it’s not too much to ask, would you post a pic after you’ve finished up? Thanks..

#13 1 year ago
Quoted from dyopp21:

Also, I use them in pop bumpers by snipping off the back end of them and soldering a couple of wires that I run through the pop bumper holes to the bottom of the playfield. Works better than those old pop bumper sockets.

I’ve done this too, and it’s so much better than any kind of socket in that high-vibration area.

#14 1 year ago

I got a batch to put on my CPR Meteor playfield. I usually like an original look but with the repro playfield that's already out the window, so what the heck.

ChatGPT is creepy.

#15 1 year ago

Eight Ball Deluxe had a previous play field swap, and all of the sockets were reused and the common power wire was oversized and
the insulation was kept on it. Imagine stripping insulation at every solder point along the way! A mess. Replaced 14 of the problematic sockets with
these ingenious upgrades. Simple, perfect design. And, in the end because of the flat profile much more room to work on mechanical parts of the machine. Yeah Yop!

#16 1 year ago
Quoted from swampfire:

I’ve done his too

How did you secure the yopps to the bumper body? I want to do this on my Dolly, whose pb lights have been a nightmare since I’ve owned it.

Would you mind taking a photo of it in the bumper body next time you have the glass off?

#17 1 year ago
Quoted from usafstars:

If it’s not too much to ask, would you post a pic after you’ve finished up?

Sure! Mine might look a little odd. Since I live close to Pinball Life and have easy access, I'm trying some of their warm sticks as well, which are more of a true incandescent warm than Yopp's warm, which is similar to Comet sunlight. Not a knock at all on either product, I like both options! Planning to use Yopp warm for white inserts, PBL warm for yellow & orange, and Yopp Spectrum for the remaining colors.

#18 1 year ago
Quoted from BeachPickle:

How did you secure the yopps to the bumper body? I want to do this on my Dolly, whose pb lights have been a nightmare since I’ve owned it.
Would you mind taking a photo of it in the bumper body next time you have the glass off?

Here’s a series of images on how I snipped and installed them. You don’t have to secure them in the pop body. Once they are soldered in they will stay in place. I used a stiffer solid core hookup wire instead of stranded since it can be shaped and is easier to solder in.
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#19 1 year ago
Quoted from swampfire:

Occasionally I will use a standard socket instead of a Yoppsicle, for inserts that are so clear you can see the LED board through it. Mostly this is just the Extra Ball inserts.

You could try using some lighting gel, to hide the board in whatever colour you want.

#20 1 year ago
Quoted from Lostcause:

You could try using some lighting gel, to hide the board in whatever colour you want.

As described in another part of this thread, I simply use a dot of glue and an old LED dome for these situations-
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#21 1 year ago
Quoted from dyopp21:

As described in another part of this thread, I simply use a dot of glue and an old LED dome for these situations-
[quoted image]
[quoted image]

I did not read that as brushed through the thread, great if that works.
Just thought the gel would cover the whole insert area.

#22 1 year ago

I would just use some pliers to tighten a standard 44 pop bumper socket. Some things are simple enough as they are

#23 1 year ago
Quoted from BeachPickle:

How did you secure the yopps to the bumper body? I want to do this on my Dolly, whose pb lights have been a nightmare since I’ve owned it.
Would you mind taking a photo of it in the bumper body next time you have the glass off?

I didn’t really need to secure it. I just fed the 2 wires through and sort of nestled the LED in there. I’ll eventually do this for all my Bally pins because sockets and pop bumpers don’t work well together.

I used a Dremel to cut the end of the Yoppsicle.

EDIT: I missed David’s post above. Anyway, highly recommended.
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#24 1 year ago
Quoted from Spitfiren8:

LOVE EM! Ive converted my Kings & Queens, Medusa, and am almost done with Flash Gordon. Yopps for the win![quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

For some reason I've had it in my head that Yoppsicles didn't work for EMs. I have no idea why I've thought that, but seeing your Kings & Queens is a potential game changer.

#25 1 year ago

I started to put these in my Baby Pac-Man and they work great.

9 months later
#26 4 months ago
Quoted from PinRetail:

Love them.
Here's a repost of the bottom of an Eight Ball playfield:[quoted image]

Anyone have a pic of the top side of eight ball lit up with yoppsicles

#27 4 months ago

Yoppsicles in Andromeda? Yes please!! One insert is out due to a lamp board issue. All inserts are warm white.

Before
PXL_20231216_032100458 (resized).jpgPXL_20231216_032100458 (resized).jpg

And obviously after
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#28 4 months ago

I have used a couple thousand of yopps and yet have had one fail. They are a great product!

1 week later
#29 3 months ago

My current project is using Yopps to light up all the playfields in my hallway.

Downside, Scooby Doo and TNA have clear inserts so I have to pick a color for each insert. Oh well.

I did paragon a couple days ago, and just figured out colors for Scooby doo, might wire it up tomorrow night. Some might change position as I actually start wiring it, but this seems like a good place to start.

Oh my buddy 3D printed a stern sign for me to I put some cool whites in it to light it up too. lol

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#30 3 months ago

Been using yopps since the beginning. Not a failure yet.

Would like to see a design for Gen illum sockets.

#31 3 months ago

Scooby doo and galaxy have their leds mounted now, and centaur is completely done. Please ignore the black wires, still need to add new wall outlets. lol

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#32 3 months ago

Galaxy is done. Just need my wall sockets to show up so it doesn’t look so bad.

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#33 3 months ago
Quoted from Kolk1:

Galaxy is done. Just need my wall sockets to show up so it doesn’t look so bad.
[quoted image]

Wonder if possible to program a small board for attract mode?

Maybe too flashy i suppose.

#34 3 months ago
Quoted from pinballplusMN:

Wonder if possible to program a small board for attract mode?
Maybe too flashy i suppose.

I did find wedge base bulbs that blink and others that change colors(will be nice on Scooby and TNA with clear insterts). I’m going to experiment cutting those down small enough to fit inside an insert. See what happens lol

#35 3 months ago
Quoted from Kolk1:

I did find wedge base bulbs that blink and others that change colors(will be nice on Scooby and TNA with clear insterts). I’m going to experiment cutting those down small enough to fit inside an insert. See what happens lol

Using the addressable color changing LED strips might be a better option for animated pf wall art.

You can download code to an arduino to display a color charging animated attract mode. It's cheaper and more versatile than using yopsicles for this purpose.

I'm using yopsicles to replace the original flaky sockets on the current EBD playfield swap.
20231230_202445 (resized).jpg20231230_202445 (resized).jpg

#36 3 months ago
Quoted from RTS:

Using the addressable color changing LED strips might be a better option for animated pf wall art.
You can download code to an arduino to display a color charging animated attract mode. It's cheaper and more versatile than using yopsicles for this purpose.
I'm using yopsicles to replace the original flaky sockets on the current EBD playfield swap.
[quoted image]

Yea I only spent about $40 ($20 on slow color changing and $20 on blinking whites) So I’m not that deep into it. I just want stuff that automatically does it thing when I power up the arcade. All of my older games already have yopps installed and talking to Mr Yopp, he gave me a great deal when I did a huge bulk order. So I’m all good on them. I’ll probably have enough whites to do a couple more early ss games. I’ve never touched an arduino or whatever it is before. And each playfield is on a different wall socket, so if I had to do one per playfield, I’m sure that would add up. I’m also not doing individual triggers. Each lamp is on the same power and ground.

#37 3 months ago
Quoted from Kolk1:

Yea I only spent about $40 ($20 on slow color changing and $20 on blinking whites) So I’m not that deep into it. I just want stuff that automatically does it thing when I power up the arcade. All of my older games already have yopps installed and talking to Mr Yopp, he gave me a great deal when I did a huge bulk order. So I’m all good on them. I’ll probably have enough whites to do a couple more early ss games. I’ve never touched an arduino or whatever it is before. And each playfield is on a different wall socket, so if I had to do one per playfield, I’m sure that would add up. I’m also not doing individual triggers. Each lamp is on the same power and ground.

Did you finish up the lighting for your scooby pf? Would love to see what you did with it. I’ve been thinking about lighting and mounting the upper pf on top of the main pf for wall mount. Haven’t decided if it’d look goofy protruding that much farther out on a wall.

#38 3 months ago
Quoted from Wmsfan-GAP:

Did you finish up the lighting for your scooby pf? Would love to see what you did with it. I’ve been thinking about lighting and mounting the upper pf on top of the main pf for wall mount. Haven’t decided if it’d look goofy protruding that much farther out on a wall.

I’ve been holding off on finishing it since it has clear inserts, I want to try and do the slow changing wedge lights behind the 7 villains. Same with TNA, going to try the slow changing ones behind the 9 reactors.

I’ll probably end up adding the upper playfield later. Figured I’d just make some 1/2inch rubber spacers to lift it a little off the main board.

#39 3 months ago
Quoted from pinballplusMN:

Wonder if possible to program a small board for attract mode?
Maybe too flashy i suppose.

Short answer is "yes." See link for video below of the ones in my shop. I did these using a now discontinued product called "LED Magician." My original plan was to offer a kit that included a new version of the sequencer along with enough Yoppsicles to do your own. I ran into issues and spent a fair amount of money on Fiverr trying to have that sequencer reproduced, but didn't manage to pull it off. I even had some made but I couldn't get them to work so I eventually abandoned the project. My time is limited and I just couldn't commit the time it needed.

Video here:

Yopp

EDIT: Since I figure someone may ask: Yes these are 100% illuminated using Yoppsicles connected to sequencers. In fact it's the only time I've used them as GI lighting above the playfield as well. It works fine for something like this, but still don't recommend them in a machine being used for play.

#40 3 months ago

Scooby playfield with colored yopps, except for the villains, and the 2 vans, those are slow changing leds I installed. Sorry, all I have is videos right now, so this is a screen shot. The purple on Daphne is getting washed out in the photo, but I tried to coordinate the colors with the characters and do all their inserts to match. If you wanna see videos check out my pinball page on Facebook. Kolk’s pinball

IMG_7148 (resized).jpegIMG_7148 (resized).jpeg

1 week later
#41 3 months ago

Yoppsicles going inside IPB KISS pops... they're soooooo much better than those terrible stock bases. With warm white, there's no reason to live with flickering pop bulbs on any vintage game, when you can install these and maintain the vintage look with absolutely no flickering or in/out functionality. Another reason to switch over - The reproduction 44/47 bases have a LOT to be desired quality-wise... the metal tab that's pushed down by the bulb base doesn't have the tensile strength / spring action required for consistent bulb contact.

yopp2 (resized).jpgyopp2 (resized).jpgyopp3 (resized).jpgyopp3 (resized).jpgpops_1 (resized).jpgpops_1 (resized).jpg
#42 3 months ago

I did kinda the same thing on all my older games. But I used the flat pop disc leds and soldered on 2 new wires so there’s no socket. So the disc sits lower and there’s no more hot spots. It’s crazy how much more it lights up the base this way.

IMG_7265 (resized).jpegIMG_7265 (resized).jpeg
#43 3 months ago
Quoted from pinballplusMN:

Wonder if possible to program a small board for attract mode?
Maybe too flashy i suppose.

There is a good thread on here that shows you how to do it easily with an Arduino and a string of addressable LEDs
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/playfield-wall-art-w-programmable-leds-a-guide
pasted_image (resized).pngpasted_image (resized).png
I did this with a meteor playfield I had hanging around after a swap (and used to practice touch ups on). I was able to easily program in a few effects and a decent recreation of the original attract mode and have them all cycle through randomly.

As for Yoppsicles - what a great product. It saved me a ton of time and effort when I was working on my Rust in Space project (Space Mission resto) where I really needed to replace every socket on the bottom of the playfield because they were all so corroded. I would post a pic here, but I somehow forgot to take a picture on one that evening when I redid those. Wups...
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/rust-in-space-a-space-mission-restoration

#44 3 months ago

Would love to see yopp design some gi replacements. Possibly a yopp with a covered dome that sticks out the pf to look like a lamp. More$$$$ for yopp!

#45 3 months ago
Quoted from pinballplusMN:

Would love to see yopp design some gi replacements. Possibly a yopp with a covered dome that sticks out the pf to look like a lamp. More$$$$ for yopp!

Believe it or not I've put some thought into it. Getting the LED above the playfield, then also having some sort of diffuser on it... tough nut to crack. Because GI is A/C and not D/C this also presents another challenge. I hate to say I'm a one trick pony, but maybe I am. With the original I had a specific problem I was trying to overcome and I feel I got lucky with my solution and the adoption of it has really surprised me.

#46 3 months ago
Quoted from pinballplusMN:

Would love to see yopp design some gi replacements. Possibly a yopp with a covered dome that sticks out the pf to look like a lamp. More$$$$ for yopp!

I recall my original Heighway Alien had the system you're describing.

I once thought I had a bulb out, and when I tried to replace it, I discovered it was really a flat LED board under the playfield with a fake "bulb dome" extending above the playfield, creating the illusion that it was an "above the playfield" bulb.

1 week later
#47 3 months ago

Is there any way of stopping the flicker that's even hard to see but its their on general illumination in the pops, thinking of adding another resister thoughts.

#48 3 months ago

Yopp: when you sell your millionth Yoppcicle you should have it framed. I imagine you are close or passed it by already. Lol I'll be ordering more soon .

#49 3 months ago

Did a buddies Aladdin’s Castle the other day. Doubled up yopps on all rollovers.

IMG_7431 (resized).jpegIMG_7431 (resized).jpeg
#50 3 months ago
Quoted from Kolk1:

Did a buddies Aladdin’s Castle the other day. Doubled up yopps on all rollovers.
[quoted image]

Double roll over eh? Nice idea if you got the space!

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