Can't believe I missed this thread before. Going to have to do this to our AC/DC like Jodster did
Video of the color changing bulbs from cointaker. Guess I got about $11.00 into this.
Thanks Vid1900 for the cheap solution to lighted flipper buttons!
Quoted from vid1900:Try a different bulb, you may have a dud.
Measure the voltage AT THE SOCKET and make sure you have at least 6.2 AC volts.
I did not have any white Flex to try, so I don't know if they are brighter.
Try aiming the Flex around. It seems that slightly upward gave the brightest glow.
If there is an "E" clip on the end of your flipper button, don't aim into that (it's metal).
There could also be a chance that the Flex have changed over the year since I bought them, or maybe batch to batch? Maybe the blue flipper buttons vary batch to batch?
Try 2 Flex LEDs (steal the one from the other button) and see if it is still dim?
I got a bunch of emails from others who did it, how is everyone's brightness?
The Flex bright Slow 16 Color Changing LEDS from Cointaker are awesome. Plenty bright! Used on clear transparent buttons. See my pic and Video
Quoted from J_Cutler:The Flex bright Slow 16 Color Changing LEDS from Cointaker are awesome.
How long does it take for the 2 buttons to get out of sync with each other?
Do they always start their cycle on the same color?
Quoted from vid1900:How long does it take for the 2 buttons to get out of sync with each other?
Do they always start their cycle on the same color?
No they don't start cycle on same color vid. But I don't mind really. I kind of like it that way. lol
Quoted from MustangPaul:Hey vid, I double led'd my buttons for just a few cents more. I got the 44 sockets with 12in. leads for 15 cents each.
IMGA0862.JPG 141 KB
Wow Nice Paul, I guess I'm buying my sockets from the wrong place!
Jack
Quoted from J_Cutler:Wow Nice Paul, I guess I'm buying my sockets from the wrong place!
Jack
I get them here in town from a place called AX MAN, they have all kinds of odd stuff. No AX MAN in your town I'll bet. But if your ever in town you could stop.
vid,
Is there an easy way to tap into the power from the lamp sockets on the coin door? I don't have a crimping tool, so I can just replace that. On the Stern machines, there is a single wire crimped in a white plastic piece. Just curious what the easiest way is to attach the wiring. Thanks!
If you can't crimp, you can tap into a wire anywhere along it's length with 3M Taps:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JT72F2/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1
Quoted from vid1900:If you can't crimp, you can tap into a wire anywhere along it's length with 3M Taps:
amazon.com link »
Thanks for the Amazon Link Vid. Looks like a great item to have on hand. Just ordered 2 sizes, 14-22 gauge. And with Prime, free shipping.
Quoted from vid1900:If you can't crimp, you can tap into a wire anywhere along it's length with 3M Taps:
amazon.com link »
This is what I needed. Thanks Vid!
Quoted from vid1900:If you can't crimp, you can tap into a wire anywhere along it's length with 3M Taps:
amazon.com link »
Yup these are great. I used them for doing all my lit buttons and whenever adding more lights for the pf.
Quoted from MustangPaul:Yup these are great. I used them for doing all my lit buttons and whenever adding more lights for the pf.
They aren't easily reversible though, right? If you remove one, the wire is clipped or crimped, or damaged in some way, right?
Quoted from aobrien5:They aren't easily reversible though, right? If you remove one, the wire is clipped or crimped, or damaged in some way, right?
It should only affect the insulation a tiny bit.
Quoted from aobrien5:They aren't easily reversible though, right? If you remove one, the wire is clipped or crimped, or damaged in some way, right?
Quoted from DCFAN:It should only affect the insulation a tiny bit.
Yup that's all it does. Just wrap a couple layers of electrical tape around that spot. Just do a test on a couple pieces of wire and you'll see how to take it apart and how to fix it. About as easy a fix as you can find.
Quoted from aobrien5:Even better. Thanks guys.
Any time, I love adding lights to my scoops and roll overs too.
IMGA0848.JPG IMGA0837.JPG IMGA0861.JPGQuoted from MustangPaul:Any time, I love adding lights to my scoops and roll overs too.
Scoops look great. I plan on doing that to my JP.
Anybody else's clear buttons seem to stick. Unless I push straight in then seem to hang up. Tried come clear plastic spray to make them glide better, didn't help. Other than that, they look great.
Quoted from izzy:Anybody else's clear buttons seem to stick. Unless I push straight in then seem to hang up. Tried come clear plastic spray to make them glide better, didn't help. Other than that, they look great.
There are some crappy buttons on the market.
Pop them apart by pressing them on a table and sand the leading edge of the button.
Quoted from izzy:Anybody else's clear buttons seem to stick. Unless I push straight in then seem to hang up. Tried come clear plastic spray to make them glide better, didn't help. Other than that, they look great.
Same problem here, my son complains all the time about them. I will try vids solution.
Hey, that is cool as hell! Were do i get the 64 dollar kit. I want the professionally made one not some crap made out of cheap sockets.
Quoted from CNKay:Hey, that is cool as hell! Were do i get the 64 dollar kit. I want the professionally made one not some crap made out of cheap sockets.
WHAT??? I don't understand your post. I got a "professionally" made set and it fit like s#%t. With the flex bulb "all" the light goes where you point it.
really, where did you get that one from? i will not get that one but i want the professional one as those are most likely UL listed and checked for safety. sorry for the confusion.
Quoted from CNKay:really, where did you get that one from? i will not get that one but i want the professional one as those are most likely UL listed and checked for safety. sorry for the confusion.
Tell you what. You give me the 64.00 and I'll make you a pair and put them in a nice poly bag and print a pretty label for you. Better yet, you show me any lighted flipper button kit that says tested by United Laboratories on it and I'll buy them for you.
Quoted from vid1900:There are some crappy buttons on the market.
Pop them apart by pressing them on a table and sand the leading edge of the button.
Good tip.. I have noticed this on clear buttons as well as some colored ones too.
Quoted from CNKay:really, where did you get that one from? i will not get that one but i want the professional one as those are most likely UL listed and checked for safety. sorry for the confusion.
What is "unsafe" about this mod in your opinion?
Since I don't have any extra led bulbs in the right color, I'm just going to 1/2 wave rectify two clear bright red 5mm leds on a piece of pad-per-hole and wire that into the GI chain on my pinbot tonight. Will post pics when I'm done. Not quite as tidy as SMD, but should get the job done. Will play with resistor values. For anyone like me that has parts drawers stuffed with thru-hole LEDs in 5mm and 3mm size, this could be a good use for them.
http://www.nicemite.com/LightmiteLB/LightmiteLB.htm
work like a champ and attach by the pal nut no other mounting required. I have them on like 5 of my pins from Sterns to older
Went to do this on my F-14 last night. The buttons light up great, but there is a lot of light bleeding into the plunger lane and through the sides of the PF. How did everyone here deal with the light bleeding through? I am using Comet SMD flex LEDs.
Quoted from Fifty:Went to do this on my F-14 last night. The buttons light up great, but there is a lot of light bleeding into the plunger lane and through the sides of the PF. How did everyone here deal with the light bleeding through? I am using Comet SMD flex LEDs.
I just left mine. You get used to it.
Quoted from MustangPaul:I just left mine. You get used to it.
Same here. I've been slowly working on lighting my flipper buttons for a few weeks. I have been thinking about trying to put in some sort of baffle to keep the light from showing through the gaps at the ends of the apron. Haven't thought of anything brilliant yet. Sort of a minor issue to me.
I was thinking something simple like black felt. I don't like the way the light bleeds so if anyone has any ideas I'm all ears.
Anybody know of a good color changing LED for this mod? The Comet flex color changers seem of poor quality and brightness. I tried to install one and the solder broke loose when I bent the flex wire.
Quoted from DCFAN:Anybody know of a good color changing LED for this mod? The Comet flex color changers seem of poor quality and brightness. I tried to install one and the solder broke loose when I bent the flex wire.
Just solder it back on. LEDs can take a bit of abuse.
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