(Topic ID: 206424)

Poor man's Stadium lighting

By Fytr

6 years ago


Topic Heartbeat

Topic Stats

  • 1,001 posts
  • 197 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 24 days ago by digitaldocc
  • Topic is favorited by 332 Pinsiders

You

Linked Games

Topic Gallery

View topic image gallery

PXL_20240314_012819212 (resized).jpg
PXL_20231122_065323557(1) (resized).jpg
ss2 (resized).png
ss1 (resized).png
pinlights-classic-comp-ft-720 (resized).png
20240113_164500 (resized).jpg
20240113_164431 (resized).jpg
pasted_image (resized).png
pasted_image (resized).png
pasted_image (resized).png
IMG_20230127_013429 (resized).jpg
8 (resized).jpg
IMG_20230125_175301 (resized).jpg
IMG_20230125_211008 (resized).jpg
IMG_20230125_210634 (resized).jpg
IMG_20230125_145140 (resized).jpg

You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider jodyg.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.

#217 6 years ago

1/2" aluminum angle stock from Lowes... the 3' pieces are usually enough. >$3 each

5v warm white LED strips (300 count/3528) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G572BEO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
Tap into Plug 117 pins 3 and 4 on WCS94. This will do 2 sets if you are using 3' rails.

https://www.amazon.com/DCFun-Conductor-Connector-Adapter-10-Pair/dp/B06XSBBMMC/ref=sr_1_cc_1
I use these plugs to make the lights removable easily. Cut them down and solder them to each strip, and solder another one in where you tap into the power source so you can still take the backbox off cleanly if needed.
Done.

I don't need color changing clown puke or bluetooth control, and the standard light intensity looks just right.

553fed21078f159bc7f963970e0f1107cfc95436 (resized).jpg553fed21078f159bc7f963970e0f1107cfc95436 (resized).jpg

20180303_182324 (resized).jpg20180303_182324 (resized).jpg

#220 6 years ago
Quoted from uncle_jose:

This is so inspiring...
Can someone please point me to which magnetic strip you guys are using?
TIA!
~ja

I am not happy with the current magnetic strip setup I am using...so I am looking at a new solution. Nudging has knocked them off already.

I bought some of these 1/2" round x 1/16" thick rare earth magnets on ebay. I will epoxy one on each end of the aluminum angle, then staple a small piece of skid banding (comes black already) to the side of the cab. This will make the gap roughly 3/32" and have plenty of holding power.

Magnets: ebay.com link: itm

#221 6 years ago

Finished up Escape From the Lost World tonight. It's a whole new game now!

20180402_181707 (resized).jpg20180402_181707 (resized).jpg

20180402_181600 (resized).jpg20180402_181600 (resized).jpg

#223 6 years ago

Torpedo alley isn't as obvious since it has decent GI, and the playfield is shallow. However, it stops the LED GI from giving you seizures when you sink the fleet. Saves you from buying a $100 LED smoother for Data East machines also.

20180402_185829 (resized).jpg20180402_185829 (resized).jpg

20180402_185917 (resized).jpg20180402_185917 (resized).jpg

#224 6 years ago

Last one for tonight... Motordome. Crappy GI just like my other 6803, Escape From the Lost World. This has a fairly deep playfield, and the ramps light up nicely. Very noticeable improvement.

20180402_193204 (resized).jpg20180402_193204 (resized).jpg

20180402_193553 (resized).jpg20180402_193553 (resized).jpg

#227 6 years ago
Quoted from QuarterGrabber:

Wow what a difference! None of mine made that much of a difference, except Maybe T2. Great job! What LED strips did you use? I wish my LOTR turned out like that. Its still kind of dark even after the strios installed and extra spot lights around the playfield.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01G572BEO/ref=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp

This is what I use. Note: you'll need to tap into 5v and not 12v. You'll will get 5, 36" strips out of each roll. So 2 rolls will do 5 machines.

10
#246 6 years ago

I use these plugs soldered directly to the LED pads for basic white lighting. I don't really care for all the added effects of Pinstadium lighting, but I have half a notion to do a full DIY on how to replicate them for a fraction of the price now.

20180402_164620 (resized).jpg20180402_164620 (resized).jpg

#255 6 years ago
Quoted from MustangPaul:

I see you have the strips pointing down, are they to bright facing out? I love those little RC connectors.

They are actually pointing outward instead of down, and the plugs go to the back of the machine.

#272 6 years ago

Drop ceiling strip is probably too wide. You are looking for the 1/2" x 1/2" Aluminum angle strips in the hardware-raw material section. They are $2.18 at my location for a 3' piece, or you can get an 8' piece for about $5.50.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Steelworks-3-ft-x-1-2-in-Aluminum-Solid-Angle/3053617

1 week later
1 week later
#291 5 years ago

I am epoxying 1/2" thin rare earth magnets to the rails, and stapling a small piece of pallet banding (already black) to the cabinet for them to stick to. They are plenty strong, and half the thickness of magnetic tape.

#294 5 years ago

My room is mostly dark, so there is no glare on the glass. Also have black ceilings for the same reason. I personally don't care for my game room feeling as bright as a TV studio. If you have strong ambient lighting, you probably wouldn't need anything. Stadium lights also help with old Data East games in dark rooms since LED GI on them nearly gives you seizures. $15 in material is a lot cheaper than one of those $100 GI smoother boards.

1 month later
#333 5 years ago

Picked up a Hollywood Heat and gave it the cheap ass stadium light treatment. Really changes the game!

20180625_164508 (resized).jpg20180625_164508 (resized).jpg
1 week later
#335 5 years ago
Quoted from Scorch:

Any reason why you couldn't just stick some of these metal plates on sides of the pin and glue some rare earth magnets to the channels?
amazon.com link »
Seems like this would be a much better solution than the magnetic tape, as these plates are ultra thin (0.025" or 0.6mm)

I have found that for my System 80B games, there is literally no clearance between the playfield and the cabinet. Shocking such a "crappy" manufacturer has such close tolerances? Anyway, I am going to make a jig to spot face the cabinet to accept my 1/2" round by 1/16" thick rare earth magnets from eBay (50 pcs/$10 shipped), and the epoxy those magnets flush inside the cabinet. Then epoxy some .020" thick metal banding you see used on skids to the back of my aluminum light channels. This should make a super clean, tight fit. There will only be a .020 gap between the cabinet and light rails. So basically the same thing you are suggesting, but flipped.

20180702_074846 (resized).jpg20180702_074846 (resized).jpg
#336 5 years ago

I did my first conversion using flush mount magnets imbedded in the cabinet... Works great, and does not affect playfield removal!

I used a 1/2 center cutting 2-flute endmill with a shaft collar attached to it so I could cut to the perfect depth. I press fit a hardened drill bushing into a block of steel to act as a guide and a stop for the endmill. Then, just glue the magnets in flush with 5 minute epoxy, glue the strapping to your light strips, and install. I'll be doing this to all of my machines, and getting rid of the black magnets. The gap between the light strip and the cabinet is almost zero.

20180704_114050 (resized).jpg20180704_114050 (resized).jpg20180704_114535 (resized).jpg20180704_114535 (resized).jpg20180704_114614 (resized).jpg20180704_114614 (resized).jpg20180704_115647 (resized).jpg20180704_115647 (resized).jpg20180704_115713 (resized).jpg20180704_115713 (resized).jpg20180704_120154 (resized).jpg20180704_120154 (resized).jpg20180704_125902 (resized).jpg20180704_125902 (resized).jpg20180704_125914 (resized).jpg20180704_125914 (resized).jpg20180704_130202 (resized).jpg20180704_130202 (resized).jpg
#338 5 years ago
Quoted from Fytr:

That's very cool! I'd be terrified of trying to drill into my cabinet though with my, uh, "skills".
How many magnets did you need to use to securely hold each light bar?

The collar on the drill bit helps you only drill what's needed I used a single 1/2" diameter by 1/16" thick rare earth magnet on each end of the angle aluminum.

3 months later
#367 5 years ago
Quoted from _xizor:

What are people using, where are people the Angle or U Channel from?
Looking for black u channel, but there is so much to choose from online.

I get 1/2 angle at Lowe's for about $4 each for 3' pieces, then spray them satin black.

#368 5 years ago

Did another install on a Waterworld tonight. In this instance, the total change is not huge, but the sides of the playfield against the cabinet and the back of the playfield under the backbox overhang really popped out. This will allow me to add some blue GI lights without making the overall lighting look clown pukey.

20181009_195942 (resized).jpg20181009_195942 (resized).jpg
#371 5 years ago

Also note that there are no unsightly gaps between the light rail and the cabinet when you do the flush mount magnet method of install.

20181009_202641 (resized).jpg20181009_202641 (resized).jpg
#373 5 years ago
Quoted from Fytr:

Looks great.
What kind of led strips did you use and is there any G.I. light integration or are they on all the time?
Also why kind of magnetic tape did you use? Any issues with it not holding?

Here are the lights I use: https://www.amazon.com/Strip-Computer-Backlighting-Non-waterproof-2800-3200K/dp/B01G572BEO/ref=redir_mobile_desktop/144-2663996-4030856

I usually tap into the main constant 5V, but this time I tapped into playfield GI. I am torn on whether I like this, because there are times when all the PF lights are off and you have to shoot the ball.

Installation: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/poor-mans-stadium-lighting/page/7#post-4478368

3 months later
#399 5 years ago
Quoted from fanuminski:

see this post : https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/poor-mans-stadium-lighting/page/7#post-4478368
I'd buy some of those strong small magnets (neodymium) and buy and end mill to their O.D. and put two per side of cabinet .

Flush mount magnets have been working perfectly so far. Plus, the installation is very clean. You can even paint them black on a game with a black cabinet. I just did my Police force last week. I didn't get to paint the rails black yet, though... The weather was way too cold.

20190122_153936 (resized).jpg20190122_153936 (resized).jpg
#411 5 years ago

The only problem with the service outlet is that the power is on all the time, even when your machine is switched off. So unless something else turns the lights off, they will always be on when you have the machine plugged in the wall.

1 month later
#466 5 years ago

If you are very careful, you can take an xacto knife with a new #11 blade and cut around the outside of the rare earth magnet wherever you chose to install it. Carefully peel the side blade art you cut off the cab and set it aside. Then do the rest of the rare earth magnet install. When you are finished, reapply the cut out section of art blade material, and the seam should barely be visible.

5 months later
#515 4 years ago

If someone made basic warm white LED strips on 1/2" aluminum channel that was a direct wire into the GI circuit, I don't see how you could get in trouble. You could sell them for $50 a set and clean up!

#522 4 years ago

Wouldn't shock me if there is no patent application at all. The fact that he hides his full name is the first thing that makes me suspicious of Pinstadium.

Promoted items from Pinside Marketplace and Pinside Shops!
$ 8.00
Electronics
Third Coast Pinball
 
$ 69.00
Playfield - Plastics
Pinball Shark
 
$ 69.00
Gameroom - Decorations
Pinball Pimp
 
Wanted
Machine - Wanted
West Point, UT
$ 22.95
Eproms
Pinballrom
 
$ 22.50
$ 18.95
Eproms
Pinballrom
 
$ 25.00
Electronics
Yorktown Arcade Supply
 
£ 195.00
$ 90.00
From: $ 10.00
Playfield - Protection
UpKick Pinball
 
$ 139.00
Cabinet - Other
Pinball Pimp
 
$ 10.00
Playfield - Plastics
UpKick Pinball
 
Hey modders!
Your shop name here

You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider jodyg.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.

Reply

Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

Donate to Pinside

Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/poor-mans-stadium-lighting?tu=jodyg and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.