My LED experience

[tstone]

I decided I wanted to change out several (but not all) of the 44s in my game for 47s, to use less power, and mostly to keep them from torching the plastics (like in pop bumpers).

I bought some of these 2-LED replacement lamps from cointaker (even had a coupon code for 15% off, which saved me a couple bucks):
http://shop.cointaker.com/category.sc;jsessionid=39502542855790F472977870378EEBD7.m1plqscsfapp04?categoryId=136

I only put in about 10, in strategic locations,under pop bumpers, and under some playfield plastics where the 44 was right up against it.

I'm stunned how much better it looks. These are way brighter than even the 44s. It really makes things pop. And now I don't have to worry about the heat as well.

Wish I would have taken some before and after pics, but it probably wouldn't have captured the difference well.

 

[KenLayton]

The LEDs will reduce the load on the general illumination connectors thus keeping them from burning up.

 

[tstone]

The LEDs will reduce the load on the general illumination connectors thus keeping them from burning up.

Less load, less heat, more light, longer life, different color choices...79 cents a piece...great stuff.

 

[punkshere2stay]

i like using them on the painted backglasses ...

 

[WindDrake]

My Big Guns had a bunch of LED's in it from the previous owner, and I'm honestly impressed as hell with them. I need to try out using them in some of my other machines.

 

[JuanUp]

Impure!

Seriously, I have to admit they are pretty damn impressive. Especially when you color coordinate with the playfield and backglass. I poo-pooed them originally until I saw it when I picked up my Jackbot. Blew me away.

Although, I'm not a fan of the plugs somtimes losing connectivity. Always have to open up the playfield and give them a wiggle from time to time.

 

[enjoyvelvet]

I really like cometpinball.com
Best prices and best quality I've found so far.

 

[musicman282]

The big issue with LEDs is how they don't dim and they flicker really bad. Apparently an LED OCD board will fix that though.

 

[ArcRevival]

I look at led's kinda like fake boobs. Some people like them but to me there is just something about them doesn't look right and never will.

 

[30FathomDave]

I look at led's kinda like fake boobs. Some people like them but to me there is just something about them doesn't look right and never will.

What about when they're done juuuuuust right?

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Someday, I hope to see some that are "just right." Most of the time, it's "How big can you make them? Really, can you make them just 2 sizes bigger? I know it will cause back problems, but it will really help my self-esteem by giving me tits that can poke out a man's eyes!"

No thanks.

 

[GameyMcGame]

Someday, I hope to see some that are "just right." Most of the time, it's "How big can you make them? Really, can you make them just 2 sizes bigger? I know it will cause back problems, but it will really help my self-esteem by giving me tits that can poke out a man's eyes!"

No thanks.

I'm not a fan of skin stretched over inanimate objects. No matter what shape, size or location that object is in.

Now, if they LED's boobs...I'd be all in!

 

[enjoyvelvet]

The big issue with LEDs is how they don't dim and they flicker really bad. Apparently an LED OCD board will fix that though.

you can get "non ghosting" LEDs...problem solved

 

[musicman282]

you can get "non ghosting" LEDs...problem solved

Ghosting is another problem. I'm referring to the decay of the ramp on and off period of incandescents vs leds. Many wpc games have gi dimming effects that work by strobing the gi. It works for incandescents due to that decay but leds are instant on and off. It looks like a strobe light. It's really annoying.

 

[channelmanic]

Ghosting is another problem. I'm referring to the decay of the ramp on and off period of incandescents vs leds. Many wpc games have gi dimming effects that work by strobing the gi. It works for incandescents due to that decay but leds are instant on and off. It looks like a strobe light. It's really annoying.

Smoothing capacitor?

 

[musicman282]

Smoothing capacitor?

I believe you have to use pwm to dim an led.

 

[Paul Olson]

Ghosting is another problem. I'm referring to the decay of the ramp on and off period of incandescents vs leds. Many wpc games have gi dimming effects that work by strobing the gi. It works for incandescents due to that decay but leds are instant on and off. It looks like a strobe light. It's really annoying.

There is an add on board available for both insert lights and GI (WPC only for GI). These boards really smooth out the brightness ramps on the LEDs. They look really smooth with the default settings, then you can tweak each LED to get them all exactly how you want them.

The GI OCD is in stock, and the LED OCD for WPC should be available again next month. I am waiting to order my 5th LED OCD board, and I can't wait. It is an amazing difference. I have been using the boards for a while, so I forgot how bad LEDs can look without them until I was at CAX last month. Some of those were pretty bad. I am excited to be able to LED my No Fear next month when the boards are available again. The incandescents look terrible next to the LEDed games. I have a GI OCD here for it as well, but this will be my first experience with that one. I have had to turn off the dimming effects in the other WPC games that I had before this board was released.

http://ledocd.com/

 

[WadeLanham]

Herg, the designer of LED OCD, was my neighbor in college. He's very sharp, very into techno stuff, and even had a TZ when we were in college in the mid 90's. I didn't know about his interest in pins back then but have since run into him at pinball shows. He's a great guy and definitely has a LONG TERM passion for these games.

Wade