Fun with EL wire - or - latest pics of the arcade

parabolic

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So, im WAY far from my arcade being "done" to the point of all the details, but I have been making progression on getting the room assembled. All the witing is now complete (except for fans and speakers), the drywall is up (not finished off yet), and all the games are playable (well, most of the time).
I had Brett C&C me some signs for my el wire, but that has been put on the back burner for a while - Im just happy he was able to get them cut for me. But in the men time I decided to finish off the stair trim coming downstairs as they never put the side trim in when the stairs were built. I had about 100 feet of EL I took out of my house when I left WI, and decided to put it to good use. I routed the side trim (actually its brick mold), and illuminated the stairway. Yes its just a mock up at this time just to see how it looks, so I figured Id share a few pics. Its not as extravagant as a EL sign or anything, but it is a pretty cool effect. I decided to turn the games on and take a few shots of the arcade (room with games as of now). maybe one day Ill get around to making a video - if I can figure out how to present it that is.
enjoy!
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Looks pretty sweet! Any sort of lighting effects can really add to a gameroom.

Nice collection, btw. What is that Centuri game between Gyruss and Sinistar?
 
Looks pretty sweet! Any sort of lighting effects can really add to a gameroom.

Nice collection, btw. What is that Centuri game between Gyruss and Sinistar?
Its ....not done - thats what it is!! LOL!
Yah I hate how the way the cam is set up washes out the marquees.
The game is Time pilot 84 - it had some other taito game in it - but originally it was a vangaurd cab. I wanted to put it in a "correct cab". Even though there wasnt a dedicated cab for it. Now only if the CPO would get reproed.

And YES! that is my big ass MAME on the end. and YES I did put a joystick in the middle of the center/top of the CP. In my defense, It was 8 years ago, and before I knew any better. The good news is im going to rebuild the CP and reposition things better. :)
I figured id get that in before someone else did = LOL!
 
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looks awesome.. and this is the W I D E S T post i have ever seen lol!
 
I am guessing it's just the lighting when you took the pic, but those steps are dark. I personally would add EL strips across so you could see where ech step is. I know that would be more effort hours to lay down, but at least stop accidents if the steps are really dark.
 
I am guessing it's just the lighting when you took the pic, but those steps are dark. I personally would add EL strips across so you could see where ech step is. I know that would be more effort hours to lay down, but at least stop accidents if the steps are really dark.
yah,
again, this was a "test shot" just to show the effect. I have more plans for the area, but I wanted to share the initial look as it sits.
Its actually not as dark as the pic shows with the lights off. cameras don't seem to pick up the IR light like our eyes do.
 
Looks good brah!!! You got some great titles there too. Whats the diameter of your EL wire? I was going to go that route but they all seem to thin to me.
 
Looks good brah!!! You got some great titles there too. Whats the diameter of your EL wire? I was going to go that route but they all seem to thin to me.
Thanks!!
Ive got the thickest wire (giggity) I could find - the 5 mm. I only have it set at 50% output on my inverter to extend the life.
 
Now THERE'S a phrase I haven't heard in the last 15 or so years! Kinda like how the term "douche bag" has made a revival! LOL!

I have been trying to revive it over the last few years, though it isn't easy as not many things are worthy of being called "tits." So I don't use it very often.
 
As for size, I just bought but haven't installed the 3.3mm. In this sign, I used the 2.2mm:

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It is thin, but gives off adequate light. As for setting your inverter to 50% output, how do you do that? You must have a different inverter than I do. Mine is either: on, off or flash.
 
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