Powering taito bayonet bulbs...

cueball

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I have a taito cabinet that has the seven bayonet bulbs in the marquee. Can I connect 120v straight to it? With the old taito power supply, I am not sure what the voltage was. If this is quick and easy, I will fix these bulbs. If it is going to be problematic, I will just buy a $12 unit at home depot to throw in there.
 
IIRC they are 6v lamps, and 120vac would make a neat kind of fire. They are very easy to fix, and I wouldn't install a new fluorescent marquee lamp in their place.
 
Yes they are 6v. There are seven total. So, are you saying that I an just wire them up? Your 'fire' comment scares me- unless you meant that they would light up nicely?
 
I would have to look at the scat, but IIRC they are 6.3vac daisy-chained together.

Putting 120vac to them would be quite a fireworks show indeed.
 
If your cabinet still has the original Taito power transformers/outlets in the bottom, there should be a 6 volt connector labeled "lamps" or something to that effect.
 
Can someone explain to me the difference between +5V and -5V...

... evidently a light bulb doesn't care if it's + or - voltage powering it, eh?

What does? What is the purpose of -5V if +5V is available?
 
If you still have the big transformer in there you still have the 6.3VAC needed for the lights. That voltage is from a direct tap from the main transformer. If I remember correctly. You should have a two or three pin molex plug coming off of it. Just check it with a meter set on AC volts.

I'm pretty sure both wires are green.
 
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This is correct. I just looked in the back of one of my Taitos. You don't need the Power PCB at all, it comes straight from the big transformer and it is connected through a 3 pin connector. It's even labeled.

http://www.arcaderestoration.com/graphics/zookeeper/powersupplyboardbig.jpg

Check out the three pin connector with nothing in it. It says 6.3v above it. That's where you need to plug into.
 
well, if that is the only option, i guess that i may have to go that route. but one of the main reasons that i pulled the taito power supply was that with all of the wires in and out of the transformer, i wasnt sure which input wires would power which output (if that even matters)..


edit: I think that I figured out another option. from my previous experience with getting a transformer for my payphone, i should just be able to get this 12.6 volt center tapped transformer
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102700
with only using one winding, I will have my 6.3 volts.

comments? confirmation?

Edit#2... I got a 3amp transformer. Part 273-1511
 
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Can someone explain to me the difference between +5V and -5V...

... evidently a light bulb doesn't care if it's + or - voltage powering it, eh?

What does? What is the purpose of -5V if +5V is available?

The +5 has a positive charge, so in a circuit hooked to neutral, electricity flows from the +5 to neutral. -5 is 5 volts below neutral, and in a circuit, the charge would flow from neutral to the -5. From a component's viewpoint, there's just a 5-volt differential in both cases (which is why the light bulb doesn't care).

So why have -5 at all? Well you can mix-and-match with other voltages. So paired with the +5 line, you get 10 V. With a +12, you get 17 V.

-Jim
 
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