Saint Paul, MN
Love the look of this, it jazz's up the ramps but doesn't overwhelm. I'll be following this thread and would be a buyer also when it is finalized. It will be plug n play right?
(Topic ID: 107609)
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AC/DC (Pro)
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Iron Man
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Stern, 2003
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Metallica (Pro)
Stern, 2013
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Stern, 2007
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Quoted from TimeBandit:It will be plug n play right?
Yes. There is quite a bit of "plugging" as you can imagine. The board is obviously sniffing the entire bank of switches and inserts, so both matrices are intercepted. Sounds hectic but really, it's just like installing an OCD board - switch and lamp harnesses (or LED data harness on a prem/LE) come off the machine into the board, then new harnesses go from the board back to the machine. Ribbon cables feed the LED strips. So nothing is permanent and your game requires no alteration whatsoever. The pinball machine will operate normally whether the board is powered on or not, if you need to unplug it at all. It taps off the 5 volt in the back box.
Which board is it in the picture? Did you have to have the board made? Is the board fused? Are there only 3 strips, one for each ramp? How are the strips attached to the ramps? Sorry for all the questions. There will probably be more from others. It's really nice to see the lowly Pro getting some love. I hope it's not to expensive but I understand you have to make some money for all your time. Put me on the list FOR SURE. 
How the heck did you ever think of this. You must be a electronics wizard or something. To have custom led strips made to your specs is just nuts and all the rest of what your doing just boggles my mind. Fantastic simply fantastic.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Here is a bit of updated video.
Added..
Plunge effect
Landing lights for Away Team and Mission Start
Mode select colour
» YouTube video
That is really something that adds sooooo much to the game it's crazy. Way better the el wire. Looks like it will be a pain to install everything. Will having service rails make installing the strips on the ramps easier?
Quoted from TimeBandit:Sorry, of course there is the warp ramp. A bit more fiddly than the outside ones. Unscrew opto, slide strip into place, replace onto, push adhesive against ramp. I won't say it's 5 mins, but I don't think its more than 20.
The opto doesn't get out of alignment?
Quoted from SunKing:I almost wish I hadn't seen this.... Too late now - gotta have it!
I hear what your saying, he tempts us with these vids. 
Good salesman. 
Quoted from TimeBandit:-Edit-- lol, listen to me, like i'm in business already. Steady up...still trying to make it work properly. These are still tests.
I'd buy it right now, even in the test phase it's more then I could have ever hoped for for STPro ramp lights. 
Quoted from Frax:Self entitled much?
We are "ALL" self entitled in this hobby don't ya know. 
I want things for my Avatar sooooo.
Quoted from TimeBandit:I haven't mounted it as far down as the ball drop. While I only have a limited amount of test equipment I don't want to go bending it up too much and that last turn is a little tight. The first video has it as far down as the beginning of the turn. That oviously brings the starting point down a bit. Final mounting will be at the discretion of the end user. The only stipulation is one of the holes lines up with the opto. I have 100mm lengths designed, but haven't built any, so in the end you could have the 600mm standard length with a 100mm extender clipped on which would give you backboard to ball drop coverage.
BTW, you should see how beautifully a 900mm three-strip length hugs the tron ramps..
Could you gently heat the strip and bend it then let it cool into shape? I've done that with these thick rigid led strips. Click the picture to enlarge and see how thick they are.
Quoted from TimeBandit:It will bend ok, and if it is going in place permanently it won't be a problem. They are very thin and very flexible, I just didn't want to be bending them back and forth repeatedly during testing.
That Elvira looks sick. And of course you could have one of these strips in that position and program it up.
Good it's bendable, I'd like to have it the full length of the 2 ramps. My strip has about 50 effects via a remote control but not programable like yours but for $36 shipped it was a no brainer. Now if yours was $36 I'd swap it in.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Today, added diffuser film to the two side ramps. The warp ramp is still naked for comparison. There isn't a light on the planet that doesn't look better with a bit of diffusing. Note..patterns are still test patterns. And upper left ramp strip still missing.
Aurich's amazing translite is also on display (arrived today, truly awesome, man). The Promium approacheth..
» YouTube video
Dang I just love watching that light show.
1 week later
Because your leds are placed so close together the light seems to "flow" down the ramps but I would still like to see the leds make the turn at the bottom and end where the ball drops. Whatever you come up with for light patterns is fine with me and I can't wait till this is ready for sale.
1 week later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Production quote requests going out this week. I'm not happy with the red in the LEDs I've been testing either. 255 red just ain't red. It's orange. Anyhoo, once I get that sorted should have a batch done within the next 3-4 weeks, fingers crossed.
OK, put me on the wait list. LOVE your mod.
1 week later
Quoted from PWhiz:*cough* Let's get back to Star Trek please *cough*
Yes, he's WASTING all this time with Tron when Star Trek was clearly first.
Quoted from labnip:no more excuses... take my moola !!
I'll take it. 
Can't wait to see what the full length ramp lights look like. It looks great now but it just seems like something is missing with them not being full length. Keep up the great work you've got a winner here.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Yes agreed, still working with limited test equipment. I won't bombard with any more updates now until I have an example of something I would be happy to ship.
I hope you'll chime in every once in a while though and let us know how it's going.
1 month later
What happened to the ST ramp led strips?
3 weeks later
2 weeks later
Quoted from Mudflaps:No worries. I'm patient. Kinda. Well, not really.
That's why a game only lasts you a couple of months right.
Quoted from Mudflaps:^^
Yeah, I have pin OCD. I'm pretty happy with my lineup now and should hopefully ke- ZOMG A NEW GAME!!!!!!
there ya go again. 
Oh and I just got a RFM. Now if I just knew how to update the code and put the vid amp in I'd be golden.
3 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Producing a rigid PCB is vastly cheaper (6-10x) than a flex board, so that is the way I am going for now. That kills curvy ramps like Tron at the moment,
Dang, looks like I'm out then. 
4 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Let's talk about bulbs. It seems a terrible tax on the planet for me to buy bulk bulbs from CT or Comet, have them shipped over here, then ship them all the way back to the US. You will have enough white from the sockets you drop out, so only blue and red to get. I think I will be shipping without bulbs, and when you place an order for this, just give Art or CT an order for the Stern-matching twin SMD bulbs. All happy with that?
That make total sense, I know I'd have all the bulbs I need all ready.
Quoted from TimeBandit:9 each, red blue. I ended up going nine. Couldn't stand that back corner not being proper. Damn mental problems. But hell, it's the OCD that got the job done in the first place. You'd HAVE to be crazy to try something like this!
Yeah your crazy smart.
3 weeks later
Quoted from Mudflaps:Call me committed
Yes you should be "committed". 
2 weeks later
Quoted from Jarbyjibbo:Last and best mod for my Metallica then I promise I'm done...... Or not.
Most likely not because Mezelmods is testing his new Cemetery drop target mod. They will light up too.
Quoted from thedarkknight77:By the time you people stop modding your pros, you could have bought an LE!
There's just one thing wrong with that statement.....the LE DIDN'T COME with all the stuff we're putting on our Pros.
1 month later
Quoted from TimeBandit:What are you taking your photos with? I like the colour balance and find it hard to get images that clear ( taking shots of LEDs I mean specifically). I'm no photographer so rarely get off automatic.
Yeah that's a "GOOD" DSLR.
3 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Sorry for confusing post. Doesn't affect Met at all. This just allows other games to be done. Met is a clear emulation of the Premium and the playfield is set up perfectly to match the factory design. Other games aren't so lucky. They either don't have a premium version to emulate or the playfield is not drilled sufficiently to accomodate the bulb sockets for multiple colours.
It's really just about the development of the kit over time to allow it to do more things on more machines. The machines that get done along the way won't have to change as the kit builds more functionality. The seperate bulb strings are better for Met as they match the factory premium exactly. Single bulb is better for ST as there aren't many holes in the playfield.
So how many of the ST Pro bulbs and sockets would have to come out or be disabled for this new light pipe system to work? All of them?
Quoted from TimeBandit:Lol, I don't really know why I posted that. haha. I know it's not very interesting. Sometimes it gets me down.
I'm sitting here in the basement trying to get the drop target handler working properly. It's not really necessary, but I have this mental condition where I need to get everything exactly right or I won't be happy with it. And a better bit of code now means easier work in the future, and more system capability. Anyway, just a nerd rant of sorts. I'll get back to work now.
Don't worry about it Bandit, we all are in awe of the amount of work your putting into your cool stuff that your making for us. Please post whatever you like.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Soon. I will create a market for sale thread when they are ready.
You are gonna be one busy dude.
1 week later
Quoted from epthegeek:So back on this post: https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ramp-lighting-in-your-face-st-pro-brought-to-lifevideo/page/10#post-2608575 -- I had drilled holes in my inlanes for more bulbs.
Timebandit made up some extension harnesses for me to try out, and I installed those this evening.
When looking at the bottom of the playfield, the lights on the left side are in the open and not too tough. On the right, however, they're entirely under the flipper coil mounting plate. So you have to loosen the bat and yank that out. Pull the 8 screws out of the base plate and the one screw out of the fuse holder that is attached (for ease) and then gently hang the whole thing out of the way.
IMG_1498.jpg
Under the flipper there's a hard paper cover as insulation between the sockets and the flipper baseplate just as a precaution. It's stapled in, and rather than deal with trying to pry all those tiny, tight bastards out I just popped them through the paper so I could get it off. The 2 existing sockets are underneath.
IMG_1499.jpg
I put the new ones in from the supplied harness in with the existing holes, and just fudged in the middle one at the same angle with a new 3/8" screw like the others. There's a bit more wire mayhem with 3 bulbs in there, but it's manageable. Once I had them secure, I just put the paper thing back with duct tape -- it all gets covered up anyway, so I'm not too concerned about it.
IMG_1500.jpg
Then carefully put the flipper base back in being careful not to pinch the wires, which need to run over to the other side.
IMG_1501.jpg
On the left, I popped off the insulator and was able to remove/replace the lights easily without removing the flipper. The middle one ended up at a different angle than the other 2 to make the crazy socket wires more manageable. But I failed to take a picture of that arrangement. oops.
Since the controller system isn't ready yet, I made a quick hack job cable to connect all three colors to the connector that normally powers one of the spot lights and plugged 'em in for now.
IMG_1506.jpg
IMG_1505.jpgIMG_1502.jpgIMG_1503.jpg
Nice job, doesn't look very difficult.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Let's talk a little about termination resistors. To address LED ghosting, Stern has added banks of termination resistors to the lamp matrix headers. Herg was the first to use these in his OCD board and they became factory issue for LED Pro machines.
Stern termination resistors..
image.jpg
The issue that causes ghosting also causes issues in the cleanliness of the signal for the Matrix Interceptor. An advantage of getting your lamp signals from the CPU bus is that the signal is free of this noise. However, with the termination resistors in place, the signal is crystal clear at the headers as well. These two photos show the signal at a lamp with and without termination resistors.
Without termination resistors..
image.jpg
With termination resistors..
image.jpg
I have done a lot of testing with both setups and the conclusion is that to get full, uninterrupted performance, Total Lightshow is best installed in conjunction with termination resistors. So a LED Pro is good to go already. I am currently getting zero issues on my LED Pro. If you have one of the first run Met Pros without the resistor boards, I recommend adding them in. I am making them, and they will be a $19 add on. I'm not sure what Stern charges for these as a part, but I think it would be more than that. You could of course buy the Stern ones if you prefer.
Add on resistor boards..
image.jpg
Without the boards in place Total Lightshow will still operate, but ghosting lamps may show up as false triggers to the main board and performance issues are likely.
Do you need 2 of them for a MET PRO? I have an early PRO and would buy this just for the leds that are in the game instead of buying an OCD board. I'm not interested in messing around with the settings of an OCD board. Will you be selling these seperately? Would this work in a Stern Roller Coaster Tycoon?
Quoted from TimeBandit:They work as a pair. There is power running between them. Yes, they generically stop ghosting in any SAM/Whitestar machine. Yes I will sell them separately. You may just want to confirm the Stern part price. Parts over here are stupid expensive, but in the U.S. that may not be the case.
$19 is cheep enough for me, I'll take 2 please. PM me.
Quoted from TimeBandit:US$285. $19 for add on termination resistors.
So your making about 2 cent an hour for your time.
Quoted from herg:Sorry, maybe TimeBandit and I should take the discussion offline.
This is all very interesting herg.
2 weeks later
Quoted from Mudflaps:Ok, seriously, enough with the foreplay. It's time to get it on!
Oh relax Flaps and play your new BDK....the game I wanted soooooo bad. You owe me a cold one for LETTING you have it.
Quoted from Mudflaps:I'll need to sanitize the game very carefully if you touched it.
TWICE
Quoted from TimeBandit:Ok, we're getting really close now. The board house has sent me the first sample for testing. A bit of PCB porn if you're into it. Good lord it's beautiful.
image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg image.jpeg
As soon as I confirm all is working ok the rest of the batch will be on its way.
Oh man seeing the first one in the "flesh" must just tie your stomach in knots with excitement after all your design work. I bet your smiling like a new papa. 
You gonna hand out cigars?
Quoted from TimeBandit:You know it! It arrived unexpectedly and I didn't know what to do with myself. It's a long weekend here starting today and I'm away with family. Can't do anything with it for four days.
I can just see you running around the house jumping and leaping shouting YIPPE....YIPPE.
1 week later
Oh I like the way that works but where do you get that kind of shrink at? I've never seen any like that.
Quoted from TimeBandit:I've tested the first board off the production run that was sent to me as a sample. I'm sending in the OK for the rest of the batch to go ahead today. Met Pro and ACDC will be shipping shortly after I get back from Expo. I will start a for sale thread then with ordering details.
1 week later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Just for the "pics or it didn't happen" crowd ..
Bags of socket strings ready for packing..
image.jpeg
Matrix cables..
image.jpeg
Bags of sockets..
image.jpeg
Hardware baggies..
image.jpeg
GI Interceptors..
image.jpeg
2 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:I have a pretty substantial update here.
I had an inkling that this would work but I didn't want to get hopes up until I confirmed it was successful. Originally, running the pwm control of the power outputs as software pwm from the main MCU meant that I did not have the granularity required to apply pwm control to the AC strings of factory GI. The GI Interceptor was only able to turn the remaining factory GI on or off. So I could flash it, or get it out of the way if I needed to black out the playfield, but NO fade control.
Changing the pwm driver from software to a dedicated hardware solution now means that the GI Interceptor has enough grunt to fade the factory GI strings under full pwm control instead of just being able to turn them on or off.
For me, this feels like the biggest win of the entire project. It means that I don't have to run a white string of new bulbs. The white string was there to compensate for the fact that I couldn't fade the factory GI. Now I can! Effects like FTB are now 100% authentic instead of just a very good approximation. So ONLY red and blue strings need to be installed and less original bulbs need to be dropped out so the install gets a bunch easier. But mainly it just looks fucking fantastic.
Here is a quick demo (one with inserts on, one with them off), to show the new, buttery smooth hardware pwm and the pwm controlled factory AC GI. There is no game code in this demo, just highlighting the fade. You can best see the factory GI in the row of bulbs on the backboard behind Sparky, in the inlane ball guides, and at the Fuel targets. This really is now as smooth as butter, or is it caramel? I don't know, but I am finally happy with it and am ready to launch next week.
» YouTube video
» YouTube video
So that means you'll be taking a string of lights out of the kit and putting in another board?
Quoted from TimeBandit:US$285 for kit for led Pro,
US$19 for add on termination boards for older non-LED pro models,
US$15 (subject to change but I'm pretty sure it's good to go) for shipping through Australia Post. This shipping option technically has tracking, but it is not the minute by minute stuff we are used to with DHL et al. Your tracking will show that I have sent it and that it is put through the Aus Post facilities up until the point it leaves Aus. Once it's in the plane I don't believe there are tracking updates by the US authority that takes it over once it lands there. Similar for Europe I would imagine.
For those guys to whom I have sent beta stuff, I wouldn't mind if you could briefly vouch for the postage process. Step by step tracking with FedEx etc is going to cost a fortune.
So $319 
Yeah put me down for the older non-LED model. I can always use one more project.
1 week later
Quoted from BOBCADE:No attract mode. I like it to be a surprise to someone who hasn't played before.
Ditto. ....and to hard on the mech.
Mike, to bad your only one guy doing this in your spare time, imagine if you were a company with lots of employees doing this....the games that could be done quickly. WOW!!!
Quoted from damageinc55:the 12v near the coin door is powering my britemod LED flipper buttons. I assume I can split it to power the lightshow board?
http://www.pinballlife.com/index.php?p=product&id=1802
Don't waste your money on that splitter, the DK Pinball FTS-8 power splitter board is the way to go. There are 8 power taps that can be used for any combination of 5 or 12v. $25 + shipping. Check it out cuz ya never know when you'll need to split more power. I have them in 5 of my games. DKpinball.com
3 months later
Quoted from Rensh:Good idea, just packed the one from Chicago 2014.
In any case, I am one of the 2 persons in below pciture. I let you guess who is meDPO_EXPO_2014_(80)_(resized).JPG
The one with the black T shirt on. What did I win??? 
Quoted from herg:Nothing. He's the one in the black Polo.
I know, just having some fun.
1 month later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Light pipe side transmission test. Mine on the left again, WOZ removed and upward streaming light blocked.
image_(resized).jpeg
image_(resized).jpeg
» YouTube video
It looks like your pipe is thicker, is it? But yours sure are brighter and the light is more even.
Quoted from TimeBandit:WOZ are much thinner. Heighway is about the same as mine, about the same as a standard bulb. So when they sit through the playfield they look similar to a bulb sitting there that you are used to. WOZ are just no comparison, and the GI lack of brightness there is an old story. Heighway are much better and FTH owners are generally happy with the playfield light transmission there. I just wanted to go a step further. It's one thing shipping an entire machine with a certain GI design, but if anyone is going to replace factory then it has to be of a certain standard.
I see, yours are just better made.
Quoted from TimeBandit:In the great tradition of starting too many things and not finishing any of them, here are the new light pipes in Spidey. I need to adjust the level of frost on the top of the pipe as they are so bright they are causing hot spots on the plastics. Easy fix though. Pwm control over the levels means I can tweak the RGB to get a nice white. I will probably offer Lightshow optional warmth level on the base white. Here I have the blue backed off to 40%. Usually not a bad starting point. Villain lightshow is coming.
For the Trekkies, this also means that ST is back on program. Finding a source to get these custom light pipes produced has been a big chore.
Villain colours..
» YouTube video
White level testing..
» YouTube video
WOW those buggers really do light up and I see what you mean about hot spotting.
Quoted from TimeBandit:I am improving the code and will be issuing an update to iron out this and a few other things. On the SM I have the startup process more robust and am taking things from that back to Met.
Dang wizard is what you are, making these games do all kinds of unnatural things.
Quoted from TimeBandit:I'm actually quietly very freaking excited about this update. I have rewritten all the multiball starts as state machines monitoring the triggers. So instead of juggling raw lamp states and throwing filters in to block out the noise, I can build debouncing into the actual trigger mechanism and smooth the switching out before it is even monitored by the game code. I've effectively turned each of the start trigger patterns into another playfield switch. Very robust and actually feels like the way a professional would do it.
SAY WHAT!! ^^^ What he said.
Quoted from zene10:I'm going to start robbing liquor stores so I can get the machines to install all of the lightshows.
Yeah you gotta get more then one machine.
Quoted from TimeBandit:I think those inserts beg for an upgrade. I'm getting the one you linked here.
I ordered mine and at that time he only had 3 left.
Quoted from RobertWinter:I just PM'd him for a set. Ad said he had two sets left.
Oh boy he must be out now. Snooze ya loose right.
Quoted from TimeBandit:You list 'em, I'll fix 'em.
Man I sure wish Stern was this way with game code.
1 month later
Quoted from sirlonzelot:I am sure you will make it to greatness
Wizards are usually great.
3 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Say hi to Tiny Rick! The Matrix Interceptor-to-RS232 translator that will be primarily for calling the sound bites for the Met Pro spinners. Tiny Rick, yeah! Now to make it work.
How the devil did you EVER come up with a name like that. I thought the doctor took you off those pills.
1 week later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Fibre optic mounting, no drilling..
Oh I like that A LOT. So when can I buy that set-up for my ST Pro.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Straight after Tron is finished. Program is Tron - ST - X-Men.
Cool, I'll start saving now.
Quoted from TimeBandit:And here is video of the first ever fitting. No drilling, no soldering iron. Total avoidance of any ramp damage. I just thought I'd roll the camera as I fitted the first batch just after it arrived from the factory. You are seeing this as I first did. Unrehearsed, so apologies for me getting in the way a few times.
It is amazingly solid. The clips just slide straight on and clip snugly in place. You can feel the spring working as you push it over the edge of the ramp, and then snap gently into place as it aligns properly. Once on, these aren't going anywhere during use, but if you want to remove, just reverse the movement and slide straight off and over the edge. Watch how quickly one ramp is done, and this is just diving in without a plan.
0.8mm stainless steel. Roughly the same thickness as a paperclip, but you can't bend it(easily). It just flexes nicely. I'm stoked with it.
» YouTube video
I think I can do that. I imagine ST would use only one light source, RGB?
Quoted from TimeBandit:Pro only. You premium/LE guys have got plenty!
I can't read the lamp states on the premium. So I can't lock into the gameplay.
Not even the ramp lights?
Quoted from TimeBandit:Wireform ramps. Can't mount them. And even if they could be mounted the functionality would be limited to being activated by switches. Without reading the lamp states I can't lock it into the gameplay. I think its performance would be disappointing.
I see.
THAT'S why I want it on ST.
Quoted from Thrillhouse:Same for me, quit goofing around with those lesser titles and bring on the xmen!
Don't pay any attention to this guy, he doesn't know anything.
1 week later
Quoted from TimeBandit:I'm going to have to put the idea of complete replacement RGB GI on ice. It's just going to be too expensive and too daunting a process for enough people to want to do it. This may disappoint, like, ten guys worldwide, but a man's gotta be realistic.
I'm also changing my production cycle to batch on demand. This means that the 25-odd Metallica kits I have left in stock will be the last for a while. I will find a way to collect names for future runs.
I will be concentrating on finishing development of the extra add-ons for Met, and ramp-only light kits for games I have mentioned. The R&D for that is pretty much sunk, so might as well get them out and see how they go.
RIP RGB LED GI
Makes sense.
Quoted from gweempose:Speaking of the rising cross, I noticed when playing my friend's MET premium the other day that when the cross is down there are a couple VERY bright flashers behind it. They are quite quite blinding. This is obviously something that isn't a factor on the pro version where the cross is always up. Has anyone else noticed this, and is there any way to tame those lights so they aren't so obtrusive? This is something I hadn't thought about before, and it would definitely be a factor in deciding whether or not to go with the rising cross in my game once it's available.
Well you could try putting red flashers in, red is A LOT easier on the eyes. When you go to a Star Party everyone walks around with red flashlights so they don't ruin their night vision.
Quoted from TimeBandit:True, but fun fact(I think)..I'm pretty sure that's an artefact of the days when they used red flashlights so as not to expose film that was being used for long exposure astrophotography. The easy on the eyes bit is a happy coincidence. But I could be wrong.
Yup that too and all manual photoprocessing in the dark room.
Quoted from TimeBandit:I know it's not pinball, but check out what my son is doing after being inspired by my work. The lights change color when the rumble pack goes off. He is making more money than me, lol (and that just means a positive return. I am still deeply in the red. Gotta love our tiny market)
That's pretty cool. If you tell me he's only 10 years old I'm gonna cry.....cuz that's beyond my abilities.
1 month later
Quoted from TimeBandit:New reflow oven in da lab! And Tiny Rick's about to be on the line..
You get all the cool toys.
1 month later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Spinner sound callers are sold out again. I have a couple from the last run that needed reworking out of the oven, so I will try to get these done and put into stock over the next couple of days.
These come out of an oven?
3 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:In some good news for those waiting for ramp kits..may I present the redshiftLED optic fiber mount. Over the weekend I finally "perfected" (I use the term extraordinarily loosely) the design and have cleared the last major obstacle before general availability. The internals are a closely guarded secret, until of course, the first kit is delivered, at which point it can be opened, lol.
The end of the optic fiber is held firmly and squarely against the face of the LED. The driver board with the resistors (and heat) is mounted separately, away from the light source, so there is lots of room to move and flexibility in installation.
Interesting. Is it just one color? The things you come up with are always soooooo cool.
Quoted from TimeBandit:The LED is RGB. See my previous Tron videos. The point here is the physical mount. Many people have been contacting me asking when Tron will be ready to go, and I have been stuck with the last thing to do..get the optic fiber properly mounted to the LED. All my testing has been done with prototype mounts that work well enough, but have not been appropriate for end use.
I see, that mount looks like it will fit the bill nicely.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Tron is ready. The last hurdle was finishing the optic fibre LED mounting system. That is now done. Here is how it works..
» YouTube video
Just have to do a few install videos for the website and I then will have the full kit in stock. Next week some time.
Love the vid and the mod. Question, if you painted the inside of the led housing silver or white instead of leaving it black do you think you could get a brightness boost in the fiber? I wonder if it would be measurable.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Mathematically, if that worked perfectly, all you are doing is effectively moving the light source from the back of the mounting unit to the front. You can't possibly brighten the source. The net result over the entire length of the fibre is simply reducing its length by 10mm. No effect.
I see.
Sure wish it would work without your board. I suppose it could somewhat but it just wouldn't be the same.
2 weeks later
3 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Fully interactive ramp optic fibres, that behave like they do in Tron are coming for ST, yes. ST ramps have a wider edge than Tron in places, and the clips I have made so you can fit the optic fibres without drilling your ramps won't fit. I need to get them made to a new size, and then do all the test fitting.
Quoted from JONESDS:Finally, had the time to finish installing the inlane modifications for the Met total light show... wow, it's like icing on the cake, it's really a big improvement to have the entire playfield in tri-color sync. I've installed a lot of mods over the years but I still think the total light show is the best bang for the buck mod I've installed.
I was going to post install pics but I really just followed what epthegeek posted :
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ramp-lighting-in-your-face-st-pro-brought-to-lifevideo/page/10#post-2608575
and
https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/ramp-lighting-in-your-face-st-pro-brought-to-lifevideo/page/11#post-2658279
takes a little bit of time but anybody who installed the kit should have enough skill to install the inlane guides.
Pic of entire playfield in tri-color with it's nice warm glow :
Looks great.....but you could use a purple led strip in the center drain to light up that area.
Quoted from gweempose:How did you drill the extra holes in the ball guides? This is the only thing keeping me from doing the mod.
With a drill press I imagine.....and very careful measurements.
3 weeks later
Quoted from Gerrard17:Woohoo! Awesome work man! When are these going to hit the online store?
Quoted from TimeBandit:Not in stock on the website yet. I want to get them all packed and ready to ship before stocking them. You pay, they ship. Like all my stuff.
Just have to wait till he announces it.
3 weeks later
Quoted from ATLpb:This purple apron is freaking siiick.
How ya gonna light it up?
2 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:I like this. A bona fide invention.
» YouTube video
2 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Unfortunately, I'm going to have to take Germany off the destination list. Customs is just way too hard. Usually, they just hold things up for too long, but now they are withholding product without German instructions. If you live in Germany, please ask a friend in the Netherlands to buy for you.
So they actually open every package to make sure German instructions are included? That's nuts.
1 week later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Tron code is about to get some DIP switch selectivity around the level of factory GI dimming during multiballs. I dim it so the ramp colours are more apparent, but it can affect visibility too much in a dark room. New code will let you choose from two levels of dimming. Should be up in the next day or so.
I'm also thinking of providing independent spotlight control to address this. That will take me a bit longer but could be done this week.
Man I wish Stern was as good as you at getting new code out.
3 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:Couple of updates..
I have modernised the code updating procedures specifically for Windows 10 users. With the Atmel acquisition by Microchip, the Flip communication tool is not going to be supported beyond Windows 8.1. The downloads page now has a section dedicated to W10 users with new tools to update your code, and new game code files in .hex format. These are of course way smaller than the .elf format of the older ones and download in about 1-2 seconds. Earlier Windows x.x users use the same tools and game code as before.
https://redshiftled.com.au/Downloads.php
and on the subject of GI dimming during effects, I have noticed that tastes vary widely and that it would be great to accommodate everyone's desires when it comes to the finer tweaking of factory GI brightness. Now, it's not ready yet, and give me a few days at least, but I am going to code up some playfield switches to use to set factory GI dimming levels at any level you like. It will work by you holding a switch closed, watching the lights smoothly fade up and down and letting the switch out when it hits your desired level. And if I do say so myself, I think that is pretty cool, haha.
Your a genus I swear.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Dude, I think genius is when you mix lights and drinks. Go the drink light-up!
hahahahahahahaha that's child's play compared to what you do. Genius you are I say!
3 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:My ten year old daughter populating her first board.
I miss those days when I could do close work like that without using a magnifying head set.
2 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:First the bad news (not that bad). More delays. Hardware redesign.
Now the good news..
For the GI, I'm collapsing the form factor down to the size of an arduino shield. Instead of using six of the pre-built PCA9685 drivers, I am building a brand new dedicated board with the 6 chips on it. Using multiple pre-built units is adding ridiculous amounts of redundancy to the overall design, and to manufacture would actually have been a headache.
So, smaller, cheaper, easier to install, and I think the performance will be better (not sure if noticeable, but the I2C waveform is definitely affected by the pull up resistors, and the layout with multiple units treats the pull ups with disdain..I will treat them with more respect).
New board turnaround should be ten days or so.
How the heck do you think this stuff up???
3 weeks later
Quoted from TimeBandit:It does this..
Success!
First test is half speed. Second is full speed..
That is soooo cool. Your in it BIG time now.
2 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:About $3.
Thanks.
2 weeks later
That's what I thought. I thought you would do something like that. That new set-up sure took the wiring mess out.
Quoted from TimeBandit:Now THAT’S how you install a Total Lightshow kit! Nice work, Jason.
[quoted image]
Looks factory.
3 months later
Quoted from TimeBandit:So, my store is still closed and I'm getting more direct enquiries regarding when I will be open again.
Here is the whole story. If you care.
redshiftLED is about to be reborn.
I have been working on a hardware/software product for a corporate client that, if successfully completed will fund my pinball business many, many times over. The product has emerged from my pinball work but has nothing to do with pinball. Everything has been engineered and demo'd, and now in final field testing stage.
What are the chances of it coming off? Well, I'm not counting any chickens yet, but I have already sold one piece of software to them for which they have fully paid and taken delivery. So, I guess I'm a software developer now, haha! We have a relationship, they have bought already, and they want what I've built.. So I guess you might call that about a 10-15% chance of happening?
I'm leaving the store closed until this is done, but when it reopens all will be bigger and better.
Cross fingers for me.
Sounds great, does that mean you can employ a couple employees.
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