View Full Version : How do I wire light bulbs?
I just recieved all of my new buttons from HAPP. They have light bulbs inside them, and I am wondering how do I go about wiring them? Do I run them to my PC power supply? If so, is there an adaptor that I need? Any help would be appreciated.
wonderpuddle
08-10-2009, 05:43 PM
Which buttons did you get? I have the lighted ultralux buttons from ultimark and I wired mine directly to a 5V power supply connector and ground from my PC power supply. I just used a generic molex adapter (I think it used to be used for fans) and cut and spliced the wires. I know the bulbs for my buttons are 5V bulbs, so there was no adaptor needed. Not sure if yours are 5V though.
Hmm... 14v?
http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/5400042x.htm
It says it comes standard with the #161 bulb, and here it says that the #161 is 14v...
http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/illuminated_pushbutton_id_key.htm
I know nothing when it comes to electricity :)
oooPLAYER1ooo
08-10-2009, 06:23 PM
connect it to 12v power. a full control panel for mame only draws about 2amps i run mine using a security camera ps
BadBoyBill
08-10-2009, 06:26 PM
Tap off a molex for the 12v , they say it wont be as bright but even at 12v your lamps bill be nice and bright and hot. Just be careful theyre not 6v lamps.
Ok, thanks guys. I'll see what happens.
The yellow wire is 12 volts and the black is ground?
bossgp
08-10-2009, 07:29 PM
yep that's right
svtboy
08-11-2009, 08:30 AM
Make sure you have enough power in your powersupply to handle your graphics card, fans, and lights. I did not use my computer power supply for fans/lights. I just used a voltage regulator and then plugged in 2 old cell phone power cables into a junction to power lights, the other one was a USB, and my fans were USB so I plugged them into a hub.
Make sure you have enough power in your powersupply to handle your graphics card, fans, and lights. I did not use my computer power supply for fans/lights. I just used a voltage regulator and then plugged in 2 old cell phone power cables into a junction to power lights, the other one was a USB, and my fans were USB so I plugged them into a hub.
It is a 750watt power supply. I should be ok?
BadBoyBill
08-11-2009, 09:34 AM
Thats plenty.
Lashek
08-11-2009, 09:45 AM
Also keep in mind the gauge of wiring. For something as small as this, it's kinda hard to go wrong, so long as it's not Ethernet cable. lol.
If memory serves me correctly, you should use 18 gauge or 16 gauge AWG wire for maximum safety, but it's been a while and I don't have my code books nearby to look anything up.
Too small, and it's a possible fire hazard due to heat. Too large, and you may have a problem with your connectors. However, I doubt you'll have any issues here. I was a licensed electrician for 5 years in the state of MD (ended that career 2 years ago due to back problems).
svtboy
08-11-2009, 12:38 PM
Yup, that's a big one.
kvanags
08-11-2009, 12:53 PM
just hold fire on that black cable - there are 2.......
from my understanding...
if you wire the yellow anhd the black that is next to it you get 12V........
if you wire the yellow and the black that is next to the red you get a 7V......
and if you wire red to the black that is next to the red its 5v......
hope that helps....
some peeps might get confused...
kvanags
08-11-2009, 12:55 PM
please correct me if im wrong, im only going by what i knwo abouts PC mechanics...
Lashek
08-11-2009, 12:59 PM
I don't believe 7V is a factor here.
Judging by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molex_connector it appears you are right about 5V and 12V though :)
I believe the grounds are seperate, and one goes to 5V, the other to 12V. Always use the black that is closest to the color you want. Never mix and match, it makes an uneven balance. :)
kvanags
08-11-2009, 01:06 PM
yes i apreciate that but im guessing he wants as bright as he can get so 12 v is going to be brighter than 7 v ... that was all...
:>
Thanks for all the input guys. I am hopefully going to start wiring the bulbs in the next few hours. I'll let you know if I run into any problems.
Also keep in mind the gauge of wiring. For something as small as this, it's kinda hard to go wrong, so long as it's not Ethernet cable. lol.
If memory serves me correctly, you should use 18 gauge or 16 gauge AWG wire for maximum safety, but it's been a while and I don't have my code books nearby to look anything up.
Too small, and it's a possible fire hazard due to heat. Too large, and you may have a problem with your connectors. However, I doubt you'll have any issues here. I was a licensed electrician for 5 years in the state of MD (ended that career 2 years ago due to back problems).
Thanks. I only have 8 Gauge wire here. I used that to wire my microswitches to the ipac. I will have to go buy some thicker wire in the morning for the bulbs.
ktbeasley
08-11-2009, 05:24 PM
Did you mean 18 gauge, 8 would be huge for switches or the lights. The wire gets bigger as the number gets smaller. As a reference, the outlets in most homes are wired with 12 gauge wire and rated at 20 amps. I would say 18 or 16 gauge would be perfect.
Did you mean 18 gauge, 8 would be huge for switches or the lights. The wire gets bigger as the number gets smaller. As a reference, the outlets in most homes are wired with 12 gauge wire and rated at 20 amps. I would say 18 or 16 gauge would be perfect.
Well, Yes, I had it backwards. (like I said, I know nothing) :)
I just looked at the number on the wire cutters. It is the smallest hole, and it has a number 8 above it. I am guessing it is about half the thickness of 12 guage wire in your home.
EDIT: I just re-checked. The #1 is kind of rubbed of on my wire cutters... It IS 18 guage.
Lashek
08-11-2009, 05:45 PM
As a reference, the outlets in most homes are wired with 12 gauge wire and rated at 20 amps. I would say 18 or 16 gauge would be perfect.
Depends on where the house is, age of community/house, etc. :)
Around here, 15A is most common in residential (14AWG) :)
ktbeasley
08-11-2009, 05:58 PM
You are correct. My house was built in 1965 and most of the outlets are 14 gauge 15 amp (much to my dismay).
Ok guys, tested with 18 guage wire, running from the black and yellow wires from what looks like a floppy drive power connector from the power supply. Working great! Thanks for everyones help.
Thanks again. I was able to get all the lights wired up nicely.
One of my bulbs is burnt :(
Does anyone know where I could get one of these #161 bulbs without having to order from HAPP? Are these a standard bulb that I could find at an electronics store?
http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/illuminated_pushbutton_id_key.htm
studmuff
08-22-2009, 09:44 AM
Wow was the bulb new? It should not have burnt out so quickly if brand new. Does it say 161 on the bulbs?
Wow was the bulb new? It should not have burnt out so quickly if brand new. Does it say 161 on the bulbs?
The writing is so small, I can't read it. All of the other bulbs work fine. It didn't work from the start, so maybe 'burned out' was wrong wording. Maybe it was a faulty bulb. I tried another bulb in the connector and it works, so it is not the connector.
studmuff
08-22-2009, 10:05 AM
As long as the buttons aren't getting super hot you are fine. If you hookup 6V batteries to the 12V line it can be a problem. I use the 5V line and get bulbs from PinballLife. I use #555 bulbs. You can get a package of 10 bulbs for a buck there. #555 are pretty standard pinball lamps but you can't hook them up to the 12V on the power supple without them over heating.
As long as the buttons aren't getting super hot you are fine. If you hookup 6V batteries to the 12V line it can be a problem. I use the 5V line and get bulbs from PinballLife. I use #555 bulbs. You can get a package of 10 bulbs for a buck there. #555 are pretty standard pinball lamps but you can't hook them up to the 12V on the power supple without them over heating.
Ok. Thanks for the info. I pulled out my handy dandy magnifying glass, and can clearly see #161 on there. They do get pretty darn hot though, but I'm not sure what is normal. All of the other bulbs seem to be holding out fine. I'll see if I can order #161 bulbs from there. Thanks.
quick question as i'm wiring up all my buttons at the moment,
when i connect all my led lights to 12v from the power supply, can i connect them all on the 1 daisy chain so their basically all connected on the 1 line? i dont need to connect them induvidually do i?
Correct whack them all together, get yourself a terminal strip will make life easier.