This is interesting to watch.

BioBa sells dedicated pinball 6.3v led strips by the metre - cheap here in Aust. I doubt postage to US would be much more than a letter. He’s on eBay Aust as well as babak1960 https://ebay.com.au/usr/babak1960

Comet 20" strips are 6.3V, and are plug and play in minutes to a GI Bulb, along with separate brightness control, that can also be "Zoned", ie brighter in the back, controlled to your exactness, in the middle or flipper area.....up to 3 zones on the side, along back, or Apron, if needed.
Mounting tracks on Ebay.

Around $50 for 4-20" strips, white or warm white, plug and play bulb taps, or clips, along with brightness.
Of course you can mix whites and color.

Art, how many LEDs or strips on the GI line can you add without taxing the system.

I believe most games have 3 GI strands?

I was able to add 2-20" on either side and one in the back, splitting those 5 pieces on the 3 lines.

As each game is different, along with whether incandescent is still used, plus any mods, its hard to say 100% no issues on any
possible combination.
Im venturing to say if its too much draw, a fuse will blow. Correct?

I put a bunch on shadow, 20" back white, 10" Purple over battle, 2 - 7" strips on Apron, and 2-20" down each side.

But that could fail at this time, as I changed to All Op-Max in GI,
(1 Watt each) because I dont play in pitch darkness, and enjoy some shadows.

For me personally, each game is lit differently, but I have all ambient lighting on dimmer.

Iron Man needs no added lighting, for me.

I think it depends on the look one wants.

Pitch Dark, a fully even, fully lit playfield...12V is needed.

I was reacting on the "thievery" remark. That is just not true.

Parts I used:

ebay.com link: DC12 24V Wireless Bluetooth RGBW LED Strip Light Controller for Android iOS

ebay.com link: 1 Roll 5M Waterproof 12V LED Strip Light 5050 RGB RGBW RGBWW Pink Ice Blue Red

ebay.com link: 1M 2M Self Adhesive Flexible Magnetic Roll Tape Magnet Strip For fridge magnets

ebay.com link: DC12V 3528 5050 UV Ultraviolet purple waterproof 60led m Strip lamp black light

ebay.com link: 5V 2 Channel Relay Module With Optocoupler Support High and Low Level Trigger

ebay.com link: 12V 10A AC DC PSU Regulated Switching Power Supply 120W High Quality GFH 65 tr

The plastic corner profiles came from some kind of Home Depot and they were about 5 dollar for 3 meters.

Buying the ledstrips per 5 meter would give enough ledstrip for 2 complete sets.

I designed a small board that will house a relay which you wire your 12v supply, GI power and 2 LED strips which will control the stadium lights when the GI operates. If there's enough interest I might throw some kits together for people. I won't assemble them. I think they should be around $25 shipped domestically.

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I was trying it on a WoZ. On the left a WoZ standard without the lights, on the right an LE with the lights so they cover the center very well. As I said, you can turn them down easily, but the middle gets dark first, so that defeats the purpose...

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Yes that is true. When you look at the Relay module, there is a 12V+ (here goes the 12V of the PSU), a GND (here goes the GND of the PSU) and 2 x IN available (this is where I connected the cables to the playfield, one for the RGBW ledstrip and one for the flasher ledstrip). You also need to take two cables from the GND to the playfield.

On the other side of the module there are 2 x 3 connections. There you take the common and the NO and this acts as a switch so I just looped my gnd wire from the ledstrip through those. As soon as flasher goes of (or the GI comes on) , the switch closes and power is sent to the ledstrip. I also put the controller between the ledstrip and the relay so I could change the brightness and color.

It is a bit much to describe really, but maybe just look up on the net how to wire a led controller to a PSU and then just let the common wire from the ledstrip go through the common/no on the relay.

edit: Oh by the way, the picture in my previous post was taken in a completely dark room without any lights on. This is just one photo, the machines were next to eachother so the same camera settings.

edit 2: If I would have liked the result, I think I would have bought the Pinstadiums. It is a lot of work and you can damage your machine while trying. Maybe for a more narrow machine I will, but did not test that as I do not have a machine that needs it right now. For the WoZ, a light above is better all around in my opinion.

As an alternative you can try these LED Channel strips. They are built for mounting LED's and will give a 45 degree angle onto the playfield and you have the option to use the diffuser cover to spread out and tame the lights.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B072MGVK9F/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_

Very cool!

I saw what looks to be the same thing but 6 for $20 USD on Amazon US:
Muzata 6PACK 1M/3.3ft V-Shape LED Aluminum Channel System with PC Cover, Complete Mounting Accessories,Suit For 3528, 5050 & 5630 Strip Lights Installation
https://www.amazon.com/Muzata-Aluminum-Complete-Accessories-Installation/dp/B01NBC0NI9/ref=Kaidad-20/134-4184676-7595908

I'm ordering some to try out.

There are 12V micro strips, that the diodes actually project 45 degree lighting.

Im thrilled with the results!

One can see if Comet has gotten them in, as they are 6.3V!! Right into GI.

I had shared them with Stern.

I was thinking 45 degree would be perfect. Looking forward to see this.

Turns out my ramp optic fiber clips can also hold a piece of plastic hobby angle against a ramp. Comet strips then stick straight on.
I only have red and blue Comet strips at the moment so I hooked them into my controlled red and blue strings, but I'm getting some white ones and simply plug them into the nearest spotlight!

This is just a quick first hook up. I haven't even tried to hide or tidy up the wires.

Video at the bottom. I have only done the left side, so you can compare.

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First prototype relay boards assembled.

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OMG - I want one - please keep us all in the loop.

why are the relays so large? How many amps can they handle? Whats the difference between these boards and the ~$2 Chinese boards that were brought up earlier?

Must just be me but I don't like the black strips on the edges of the glass as they narrow the perspective of the game.

This is just a proof of concept design. The relays are the only ones that were in stock that operated on 6v and can be triggered directly from the GI strings. I'm actually working on a design that will be cheaper that will be fully solid state vs a relay. I put these together just to see what it would look like triggering off the GI for the stadium lights. This also allows you to use an external 12V power supply so you're not adding any additional load to your machine's power supply. Those relays are actually 8 bucks a piece so this design isn't cost effective at all. Also the relay noise might be annoying AF. I haven't had a chance to wire one up yet though. Stay tuned.

BTW they can handle 10Amps lol.

Ryan has shared that he created a link for a product you guys must try out!

http://www.cometpinball.com/product-p/50smd6.3vstrip45nw.htm

Its a 20" Strip of 45 degree Lighting at 6.3V. To my knowledge it exists no where else, and was one of the last projects
I was working on.

Its a micro strip, very narrow, with 50 SMD. A comfortable row of lights facing forward, but brilliant light facing down.
Fits to Matrix, and a Matrix bulb, so you can control its brightness in a second, and attach to GI for game affects, or to an insert
for special lighting.

I added my test version to an NBA fastbreak to different inserts and was blown away!

They can be added down the side of a game, and attached to playfield, so there is no need to remove, etc when lifting the playfield.

Im excited to see these available!

Very nice, I will have to try them out. I just wish there was a list of the parts I need to order. These strips and what else
to connect them to the PF? My main purpose is the get the PF lighted, but I do not mind if they conform to effects as well!

To connect to GI, you can solder, use alligator clips, or a plug and play matrix bulb.
Any length of wire, if needed, brightness screw if needed.

Theres info on the site....its hard to say what you yourself need, as each game, and placement, along with trigger info is unique.
Not hard to configure at all....

Sure be nice if they were longer than 20".

That would hopefully next....worth an email to help move it along.
I started that 3 years ago, but would be no issue.
In the meantime, if one wanted a full length, to a degree, two strips on either side can be connected for 40"

Ryan has a limited batch...the initial test run in stock.

I think the issue with the 45 degree is both could not be connected at the rear of the field and you'd end up with a visible wire at the front otherwise one way points 45 degrees down and other 45 degrees up..... Unless they made a left and right side model

Ah, ok, they don't work for me then.

I have a strip on the backboard of my WCS. They look cool. I would make sure you have clearance to lift the playfield if running these along the sides of the game. The diffuser makes them stick out a bit.

Good point until longer strips are made.

A solution would be one connection to GI by the Apron, and then the other side powered by the rear.

Ultimately, these are the first run, and feedback will move it along, if people enjoy.

I * finally* made a kit for my Dialed In using a pinduino. Thanks to Tres for doing the first one with the pinduio. Source is available (open source): https://github.com/elyons/professor_pinball_pinduino_sketches/tree/master/Dialed-In_Side-Lights

If three people are interested, I'll write up a DIY for how this is done. Just quote this and say "Please do".

If you don’t have side art blades or mirror blades, then I agree that Pinstadium doesn’t affect the view of the playfield and actually enhances it tremendously. But, imho, once you add side art or mirror blades I can’t help but not like how it blocks much of the view of those blades. I’m saying this having seen them in person and not just in pics.

Thanks @Fytr. Two more and I'll do a write up like this: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/diy-guide-to-adding-backbox-lights-to-dialed-in

Just DO IT!

Please do!

Oh yeah, dumb it down so we all can understand.

Thanks GRUMPY and @nepi23. That makes three. I'll get to work. These take a good amount of time make, so it is good to know that there are people who are interested.

Can't the wires be hooked up to either end of the strip?

Only one lead in at this time,

Step-by-step DIY instructions for side lighting is now up: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/diy-cabinet-side-aka-stadium-lighting. This will work for any type of LEDs.

I just made mine. Pretty simple. Bought the angle aluminum piece mentioned in diy thread above. I cut in two foot sections so I could do two games with one piece. Bought the comet 50 smd strips and adjuster. I would say you don't need the adjuster as I run mine at full blast and I didn't need the extra length of matrix wire. I just used the alligator clips that came with the lights to tie into the gi. Not super bright but dies the job and im happy for a $40 investment.

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I just wish there was a process of figuring out a switch mechanism that is not a permanent but shuts off the feed from the service outlet so we can use 12 volt LED strip. That is why I like the relay - it would provide the trigger to shut off LED when you switch power off to the game. I know it would not trigger lighting effects but provide the playfield light from the LED strip. I can do all the soldering the angle on the light strip etc. But, I want the lights to go off when I switch the machine off.

I think that is the kit that needs to be made for all games for all 12 volt mods - basically a 12 volt power supply, a relay for switching, and molex pins for a number of mods that all shut off when the game power switch is triggered off. I guess I am not smart enough to figure it out or I have not put any time towrds it because seems like that would be easy.

I'd hate to steer someone away from buying Comet products, but the 45 degree strips that Art linked to above are not comparable to the amount of light given off by Pinstadium. If you attach them along the sides of a machine, they illuminate the first few inches pretty well, however IMO, the light drops off dramatically after that. I'm not sure this product is ready to be widely publicized.

Would love some private feedback from anyone who purchases them. I think people will find some creative uses.

This is not a very hard modification to do and can be reversed. You have a diverse collection and each would be a little bit different, but similar.

I have not put time into a solution I want to have something I could move to a different machine if I sell part of my collection.

I just think the solution I want should be somehwat standard....maybe clips to the trigger the lights from the GI.

Please do