LED or incandescent, you decide...

keithsarcade

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I need to get some new bulbs for my space zap marquee (and will also be adding a couple to the coin door). Currently uses 5 #257 incandescent bulbs (14v), I can go with that or a 12v super white LED. Anyone have any expertise on this one? What would you go with? It's such a simple thing but I cant seem to decide which is better.

Incandescent: http://cgi.ebay.com/257-Miniature-L...654?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1e573fc80e

LED: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/10x-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
 
Go with LED. I love the look so much more. In fact, I am out of LEDs (white) and was just thinking i need a new batch - thanks for reminding me.
 
I would like to see how it turns out if you do use the LED's. My Omega Race UR and Pac-Man mini use those same type of bulbs in the marquees.
It would cut down on heat and use less power.
 
Heres another thing to consider, I found this on a website where someone did a full restore on the same game:

The finishing touch to this game is the marquee. Unlike most other video games (which use a fluorescent lamp behind the marquee), Space Zap uses 5 miniature flashing bulbs. These bulbs illuminate in random patterns making the lightning bolt image on the marquee flash and flicker. It is really a neat effect.

I know some games that have "effects" with the lamps are picky, ie you can only use the lamp specified. Just wondering if anyone knows whether thats the case here?

I suppose I could try LED's and be out a mere $9 if they dont work.
 
Personally, I would use the incandescent as it was originally designed with. I hate leds especially when they are used in older pinball's.

Brian
 
For LEDS in pinballs - the problem on the older game is the "ghosting" of the LEDs - where they light when they shouldnt (or give slight, annoying artifact when they shouldnt). Alltek (i think is the name) makes replacement boards for these older pins to resolve it.

Newer pins dont experience the same problems. Also, Newer LEDs have also progressed in quality / stability and overall color matching to incadesant (excuse my spelling - not going to check the spelling now). I have them in all three of my pins now, and ones i have owned in the past, and like the look much better (when done right). Pinball life / BCS pinball have good LED selections.

To the original poster - YES - be aware - if the original application called for pulsing / patterns - the LEDs may not work / emulate the original behavior intended. It depends on if the flasher bulb application is driven by a pulse on the circuit, or a pulse in the bulb itself. If the bulb is the flasher, LEDs that i know of will not flash - so when you plug it in - it will just stay on always.

For example, in Pinball machines, you have playfield flashers and backbox flashers (behind the backglass). LEDs installed on playfield flasher spots are ok, since the circuit flashes them for you. But, on the backbox, the bulb itself is the flasher / holds the logic for flashing (the pulse is always present). I havent found a LED that can do that yet.
 
The problem I can foresee is that you won't get the fill of light like you would with incadescents, however I'm curious and will be watching this.

As to the effect, if thats normal on a Midway Space Zap upright, that might explain the flickering lights I keep trying to fix!
 
Personally, I would use the incandescent as it was originally designed with. I hate leds especially when they are used in older pinball's.

Brian

Me too! I think LEDs are too bright and 'pure white'. Totally ruin the look of the game.
 
Me too! I think LEDs are too bright and 'pure white'. Totally ruin the look of the game.

There are now soft-white LEDs that are very close to the glow of incandescents. In something like a Space Zap, you've also got the option of going with yellow LEDs to color-match the buttons.
 
I decided to go with the proper 257 incandescents, got 'em on the way... but check out my latest discovery... blacklight!

I bought a blacklight (our local Wally Mart has them on clearance for $9, might pick up a couple more) for my Tron since I just ordered one of Prok's toppers. Was playing around with it downstairs and found something amazing (at least I think so), check out the before and after... even my wife was amazed, and she could usually care less.

I'm now convinced that Space Zap is totally naked without this and am determined to hack one in somehow. BTW, photos cant do it justice, it looks wicked in person, believe me.
 

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Not familiar with Space Zap, but that's the same shot???? Wow, if the second pic has the BL, then yeah, def needs one because that is 100% better.
 
Incandescents are in, they flash at random, neat effect, almost like flashing christmas lights.

Does anyone happen to know how these work? They are all linked to 2 lines, one is reading 5.7v and the other 6v. There dosent seem to be any seperate circuits, chips or anything seperating the voltage, I'm really curous what makes these things flash. Anyone know?
 
Incandescents are in, they flash at random, neat effect, almost like flashing christmas lights.

Does anyone happen to know how these work? They are all linked to 2 lines, one is reading 5.7v and the other 6v. There dosent seem to be any seperate circuits, chips or anything seperating the voltage, I'm really curous what makes these things flash. Anyone know?

If you look at the bulb - unlit - you can see a small dark flat piece of metal in there. That is a bi-metallic strip that makes the connection to the filament. That piece of metal is temp sensitive. When it heats up with the bulb lit after awhile it will pull away and break contact with the filament. When it cools off enough - pretty fast acting - it straightens back out and makes contact again and the bulb lights again. Pretty ingenious.

Tom
 
So basically, the bulb itself is a "flasher" bulb? Good thing I went with these then, and I can still tap into the line to add coin lamps. Sweet.
 
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