Poor man's Stadium lighting

OP
Quoted from Fytr:
Yes, very nice. It's great to see everyone's projects.

I wanted to say thank you to Fytr for starting this topic. The information he provided in his original post motivated me to build my first set of lights. I have been building my own lights (10 so far) and refining my process over the last year. I finally got around to putting together a video tutorial on the process and wanted to share it with everyone. Below is a short version for those that want to check out the build process and a full version for anyone who wants to build these lights.

Short Version:

Full Version:

Added over 4 years ago:

Long Video:

Short Version:

Post last edited 3 years ago.

#699 4 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

OP
Quoted from Fytr:
Wow. This is a fantastically high quality tutorial video! Succinct and chock full of expert tips. Strongly recommend the Full Version.
Thank-you for putting this together, I can imagine it takes some effort to do so. This is exactly the kind of reference material that will help many others to take the leap to doing this themselves.
I've added a link to the post to the FAQ at the top of the Reference Builds section as well.

Thanks Fytr! I’ve learned a lot from this forum post and wanted to return the favor for all those that helped me. I’ll be sure to post updated videos as the lights continue to evolve.

#700 4 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

I just finished uploading a tutorial regarding how to install the playfield lights form my first tutorial. I made short and long versions of this video. If you plan on building and installing these lights, be sure to check out the full versions of each.

Full Version:

Short HurryUp Version:

#702 4 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from DudeRegular:
There has been tons of great discussion in this thread. Your post/vids are really great for putting a ton of information together in a great package. I think I may actually order up some parts and try to make a set now. Thanks a ton man!

I may play around with some different controllers (WiFi & Bluetooth) as that is an option with these lights. It’s easy to swap the sensor box. When I get a chance, I’ll be sure to post an update.

#704 4 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

I have not tried installing a relay for a tie in to the GI yet. If anyone has advice on how to tie these in it would be much appreciated. I have run these independent of the GI for simplicity sake but improvements are always on my mind.

6 months later

#734 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from AUKraut:
hurryuppinball I hope I can help here....
Using your videos as a basis for the lighting rails I made, I wanted to have controllable GI lighting and WiFI control for my new lighting rails as well. I ordered the following items from Amazon:
Magic Home RGBW WiFi & IR controller:
amazon.com link »
Switch Driver Module:
amazon.com link »
5 Pin Connector:
amazon.com link »
First, the Magic Home controller is controlled by a free app in the iPhone and Android store, and can also be controlled from a certain premium stadium lighting app as well. Plugging it into the RGBW lighting strip it has to be configured in the app as a RGB & W device type instead of as a RGB / W device type to allow the white LEDs to be controlled separately from the RGB LEDs. That took care of the WiFi App Control...
For the controllable GI I concentrated on controlling the White LEDs. Using the switch driver module, I unsoldered & removed the screw terminals to be able to solder the connections directly. I snipped the 5 pin connector white and black wires and soldered these to the J2 inputs and J3 outputs of the module, Black to positive, White to negative. I then soldered a set of alligator clips with long wires to the control input J1 of the module. I then placed this assembly inline after the WiFi module before the Y connector going to the lighting strips. I then connected the alligator clips directly to a GI socket. Works perfectly, controlling the white LEDs in the strip to match the GI going on/dim/off.
In the app I have the white LEDs set to 100%, and the RGB LEDs set to 25% in a color that enhances the look of the playfield. This gives good lighting in a darkened room and the GI dimming effect. If one really wanted they could use 4 of the switch driver modules to control all RGBW, but I found that leaving the RGB LEDs in a dimmed mode is the right mix to go with the controllable white LEDs. I've attached some pics as well as a short video of the LEDs on, then dimmed, and then back on again at the start of a game of Batman 66. Unfortunately the iPhone video doesn't capture the look as well as it looks in person.
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Thank you so much for sharing and the detailed instructions. You nailed it! I’ve got a set of lights built for my next machine but after seeing this, it’s time for me to order a few more parts.

#735 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

And I love the fact that the switch driver modules comes in an 8 pack for $14.

#743 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from PinPeet:
Hi!
I wanted to check out your videos but you have them removed it sais. Can tou please re-upload them? Thx

Here is a link to my channel. Sorry for the broken link. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to edit and upload all my videos again.
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzdHAPosu-ImTOht-WjUTAg
Light video link:
Short and long versions:

#749 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Some people are having issues opening the description on my light build videos where there is a detailed parts list. I have linked it below in case anyone needs it. This is for the basic lights. Be sure to check out the update AUKraut posted on how to make these WiFi compatible and tie them into the GI on a Stern game. Post #733.

Here is the parts list for the basic pinball lights

Led Light Kit w/Remote – RGBW – SMD5050 12V – 16.4 feet of LED
https://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-Flexible-SMD5050-Controller-Decoration/dp/B07CHGJNXG/

Black 5/8 x 5/8 x 1/16 Corner Guard – 36 inches – 4 pack
https://www.amazon.com/Outwater-Plastics-1934-Bk-Styrene-Moulding/dp/B07MCDS6M6/

LED 5-pin extension cables (4 pack - 2 needed)
https://www.amazon.com/3-28ft-Extension-wire%EF%BC%8Crgb-extension-cable%EF%BC%8Cled/dp/B07VBL8GXZ/ref=sr_1_7

LED 5-pin Y-splitter (2 pack - 1 needed)
https://www.amazon.com/Cable-divisor-conexi%C3%B3n-conector-5050-3528 RGBW/dp/B07D8LWW5G/ref=pd_bxgy_img_3/137-1723880-2644053?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07D8LWW5G&pd_rd_r=8039f5fd-c25e-4f0d-b9cf-2304100db52b&pd_rd_w=ryMcS&pd_rd_wg=3AUj8&pf_rd_p=ce6c479b-ef53-49a6-845b-bbbf35c28dd3&pf_rd_r=VZHAYXE9GKMTTDN9AKHV&psc=1&refRID=VZHAYXE9GKMTTDN9AKHV

Scotch 3M Extreme Double Sided-Tape – 400in x 1in
https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Extreme-Mounting-400-inches-414-LONGDC/dp/B00FUEN2GK/

Self-Adhesive Flexible Magnetic Tape – 100in x 1/2in
https://www.amazon.com/Self-Adhesive-Flexible-Magnetic-Length/dp/B079334W24/

Original Gorilla Glue – 2oz bottle
https://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Original-Waterproof-Polyurethane-Bottle/dp/B0000DD5EN/

Blue Painters Tape
https://www.amazon.com/ScotchBlue-Painters-Multi-Use-1-88-Inch-60-Yard/dp/B00004Z4DU/

Cable Management Clips (for installing the lights)
https://www.amazon.com/HongWay-Adhesive-Organizer-Upgraded-Management/dp/B083XFVN6M/ref=sr_1_14

2 months later

#790 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from rapidflipper:
hurryuppinball I made 2 sets yesterday using your video as instructions. Went smoothly overall, just used a bit too much glue so needed some clean up. Thanks very much for taking the time to share! Looking forward to seeing the result in my Last Action Hero.
[quoted image]

Those look great. I have made several new sets as well. For anyone wondering about a mobile set, I dropped a basic set of these lights on top of the glass for my Whitewater stream last week and they worked great. I am going to add some 135 degree angled plastic / magnetic tape so I can secure them to the rails. The lights were not set at 100% for brightness for colors or white lights since I am trying to balance the lights with the playfield camera. https://www.twitch.tv/videos/763776005

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2 weeks later

#831 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from Bellagio:
Just wanted to say thanks to everyone on this thread, especially hurryuppinball for the how-to videos and aukraut for making the GI relay so simple.
I made one set of these for my High Speed restoration and still have all parts needed for a second set. Everything required for 2 sets was less than $100. It took me about 2 hours to make them.
That said, if anyone reading this thread is wondering if they would be able to make these, the answer is yes! Seriously, don’t pay for the PinStadium ones. It’s great that they came up with the concept, but $300 a set is absolutely criminal. I used to have a MBr with a set of the real ones that were purchased by a previous owner. This set I just made is basically identical.
I’m certainly no electronics wizard and if I can do it, you can too!!
[quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image][quoted image]

They look great and happy to help. I’ve built close to 30 of these and have switched over to the WiFi receiver and it works very well and gives access to 16M color choices. All my pins and lights are connected to Alexa and since it remembers the last setting, I just tell Alexa to turn on the pins and never have to touch the remote unless I want to dial in the colors on my phone. I ordered a bunch of light diffuser covers and will be upgrading my 7 pin lineup. Big thanks to AUKraut for all his guidance and hunting down parts to order. I just installed a set in STh along with the UV light kit and love it. These have helped so much with streaming as well.

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#840 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from AUKraut:
I originally found them, they are for sale here: https://www.solidapollo.com/78-Milky-LED-Strip-Diffuser/Cover.html
In terms of working out: So so......They work, however keeping them attached and looking neat at the same times tough. You have to use glue to keep them attached. I'm still searching for a better solution.

I ordered a set of the diffusers and placed a very tiny drop of superglue every 6 or so leds (top and bottom of the strip) then removed the adhesive backing on the diffuser, attached it, then took a spare 90 degree bracket placed it over the diffuser. I taped it in place to put pressure on the adhesive and the glue and left it overnight. It is mounted on the strip very well and doesn’t move and there is no mess. I barely touch the strip with the superglue nozzle. I placed the glue in the gaps between the lights. I did lay the diffuser roll out flat and placed some weight on it and let it sit overnight. When the diffuser is shipped, it is rolled up. It is important to lay it flat for at least a day so it can flatten out. Here is a pic of the diffuser after it dried for a day.

12DA33D5-BD15-4CDD-92B5-DADEE7A15DC5 (resized).jpeg I have also posted some pics of my game with and without the diffuser. The first two are without and the second two pics are lights with the diffuser. It doesn’t eliminate the stripes but it does tone them down a good bit. This is with the lights at full brightness for colors and white lights. Thanks again AUKraut for the link to the diffuser.

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#843 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

OP
Quoted from Fytr:
Thanks for the detailed explanation.
Would you say it's enough of an improvement to warrant the additional cost/effort?

That’s a tough call. The stripes are reduced but not gone. I do like the fact that the light is diffused from the side and not as harsh for players on the next machine. It’s roughly $8 to test it out (plus shipping) so I figured I would give it a shot. I think on games with ramps and wireforms close to the lights it will cut down on striping and look better than the non-covered versions. I will add some more pics once I put them in my other games.

1 month later

#853 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball

Quoted from Owlnonymous:
This thread is a great read. Thanks for all of you that have contributed to it. Would anyone be willing to build a set of removable lights, like the Xtremes, for me to stream with?

With AUKraut’s guidance, I built a set of these and finally got around to testing them after my Elvira stream. They worked well. I also placed a diffuser on the strips. I have been using the old school line of sight sensor (I have a ton from converting my lights from line of sight sensors to WiFi) since these are mainly for streaming on location. Using the line of sight sensor is quick and easy since I don’t have to mess with setting up a WiFi sensor. Not as many color choices but enough to get the job done. I have found that when I stream, the camcorder does best with about 50% brightness on the white lights and then throw in a little yellow / orange / red.
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2 months later

#884 3 years ago

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HurryUpPinball