Cold Cathode Light Project

[tacman]

Well, after reading and talking about it this last year, I decided to try my hand at adding cold cathode lights to one of my S2000's. The sets I picked up are available in 12 inch and 4 inch versions with 2 light bars in each package. The set is wired for a computer power supply and uses 12vdc. I bought sets of both 12 and 4 inch for my project. These sets come iwth a power coupler that also splits the output to two lights. Since I was going to use it in my S2000, I cut off the computer end and wired it to hook into the netlex/power distibution board on the back of the topbox. I ran the wires down to the side of the cabinet, left of the reels and affixed the coupler using velcro. For the 12 inch tube it was rather simple, just pulling the flourescent light tube and placing the 12 inch cold cathode tube attached to the flange using velcro. I ran the wires to the coupler and had enough to connect the upper light with no problem. I knew the easy part was done. Since I did not want to lose the flourescent lighting of the belly glass, I decided to make a plate to cover the rectangular opening that provided light to the coin tray from the belly glass light. I bought a flat piece of duct material, I guess its galvanized steel and was able to cut it with tin snips and cut it as below pictured:

[tacman]

Well after the cuts, I did several bends of the piece and then bolted it to the lower flourescent housing, on the back. I then attached the 4 inch cold cathode light (using velcro) to the interior bends to point the light down to the coin tray and then, after extending the wires some, attached it to the coupler as well:

[tacman]

Some more pics:

[tacman]

More pics to bring us closer to the narrative:

[tacman]

Even more pics:

[tacman]

OK, so now everything is attached and the power is activated and I get the final product. I am happy with the way this turned out. It was well worth it! The red circle and arrow on the door pic shows the power coupler for the light bars.

 Dan (tacman)

[tacman]

And finally the last pics:

 Dan (tacman)

[Railroad94]

Don't you have any work to do besides play with your machine     Looks excellent. If you put a little blue up top it would give the fire and ice.

The coin tray does look super but the local sheet metal workers union might be mad at you 

Nice job Dan 

[uniman]

Nice work. Phantom is a great game too.     

After seeing that, I want to try the cold cathode on one of my Uni's.

[Ron (r273)]

And here I thought you were just a rabbit hunter.

Good job tacman, very cool looking.

Ron

[StatFreak]

Good job tacman. The red light goes well with the Phantom kit.

[knagl]

I especially like the coin tray mod -- I've been trying to figure out how to light up my coin tray with those.  Thanks and K+ for the pictures.

[manowaraz]

Really cool idea! I might try something like that using LEDs. One thing I do want to ask though... Where did you pick up the +12V power feed from?

[Thor777]

GREAT job Tacman...   

Thanks for all the documentation... 

Here are a couple of links where I got mine...  He has other colours too but I found the "Violet" to be pretty dim, like a blacklight


http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-12-COMPUTER-CASE-NEON-COLD-CATHODE-LIGHT-GREEN_W0QQitemZ110445858657QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b7160f61

http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-12-COMPUTER-CASE-NEON-COLD-CATHODE-LIGHT-GREEN_W0QQitemZ110445858657QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b7160f61

[tacman]

manowarez, the 12V was easy, in an S2000 in the topbox is a netplex power distribution board located on the back wall to the left of your amp board. This supplies you netplex connections with the bottom plugs and your 24V and 12-13V with the middle row of 4pin plugs. Here is a pic of the board.

 Dan (tacman)

[manowaraz]

I'll take a look to see if I have one of those boards in my machines. The place where I purchased my machines from removed the bill collector and the membership card computer. So they may have removed this as well. Thanks a lot for the info, I'll post back with what I decide on doing for this project with pics
Tom

[stayouttadabunker]

Use a multimeter on the bill acceptor wires...since you're not using it.
I think most of the S+'s bill acceptor wires are 12-13V !

[xkey]

Dan,

  Great job, now I have another item on my list of things that I want to do.  You might want to add this to your machine, I think that it would make hitting the big payouts even better.
http://www.xoxide.com/cocasoackit.html

jon

[manowaraz]

I was rather concerned about probing around on the wires for voltage without a good wiring schematic, however the first set that I did test (red & green, obvious choices) that was zip tied to the door gave me a bit about +9.8 volts, this is more than enough to run some LEDs. If you can find 13.8 volts or less you are in fantastic shape for this setup.

One of my older projects was installing some ground effects lighting onto my Scooter. In projects like these you never get rid of any of the extras laying around, you keep them as spares, or for future projects, this worked to my advantage!! These LED pods do not need to use resistors in line since they are already built into the pods, also the leds are all focused at different angles. You can find these pods online starting at about $5 each on eBay.

Here is the LED pod I used:


Here it is with the LEDs on:



The power wires were zip tied at the door hinge area, this is what it looked like when I attached the LED lights to it with tap-in squeeze connectors.



I attached the pod using double sided 3M molding tape. This tape is used to hold trims, emblems, and other stuff onto car body panels, it holds up long term, and is easy to work with. The holes are pre-drilled into both of my machines, so I wonder if they do have their own lights or other sensors that are used in casino situations.
Here is the pod mounted.



Here is the final result (which looks better in person, darn these cameras):

The orange works nice with this "Jackpot Jewels" machine.

When I do the same to the Money Storm machine I will use Blue LEDs.
Thanks for a great idea on a quick project!
Tom

[knagl]

Tom-

Looks great, and pretty quick and easy, too!  Nice job.  K+ for posting the pictures and info.