Arepachi LED Conversion

[emmadog]

This is just an FYI at the moment but a retrofit kit is in the works to convert incandescent lamps to LED for arepachis. I'll have a sample in a couple of weeks that is based on my Satomi "Hippie" arrange ball. A kit for another machine would be basically the same, maybe just slightly different specs.
I know some want to keep their machines original and I understand but brighter light, no heat, and extremely long life are more important, IMO. Anywho, for those interested keep this in mind and I'll post new info as I get it

[emmadog]

Ok, I will have a prototype/working model of the LED matrix unit in a week and maybe an LED "won token" light strip as well. For those interested, check back.

[Lt Teddy]

Would have to think real hard before i converted. Do you have a cost estimate??

[emmadog]

no cost yet but i will by next friday.
the LED unit will slip over the exisiting metal prongs so no mods to the machine will be necessary.
i think it's one of those things that once you see the difference it'll be an easy choice.

[emmadog]

Latest:
The LED conversions are in the mail, on the way. Hopefully they'll be here before I leave next week but if not, I'll have them shipped to where I'll be. A ballpark and I stress ballpark cost will be 5 bucks. Once I get them I'll post comparison pics and all the other relevant info.

[emmadog]

Latest:
LED's made it to my house and now need to be forwarded to my current location. Still trying to find the correct addy here. Don't want them delivered to the wrong place/lost.

[Ash]

Definitely like to see LED's in place. I managed to lose/throw out the spare ones I had or I'd be converting my Nishijin.

[emmadog]

They were mailed to me yesterday so they should be here this week. I'll post pics of them individually, in the machine, and the difference between them and conventional bulbs.

[emmadog]

Finally received the LEDs and they work quite nicely. The two I received simply slide over the existing prongs and take a few seconds to install each. The lit numbers jump out now and there's no heat. I've got two of my arrangeballs with me now during the 5 week work trip I'm on and I have " turn off when done" signs on both of them. I've seen a couple of number squares melted on other machines from heat build up. This would not be an issue with LEDs. Anyway, sorry no pics yet. I cant upload from my phone but I'll have computer access this weekend. The only thing I told the designer to change is the overall length.
Stay tuned for pics.

[emmadog]

Ok, finally have some pics of the prototypes for yall.
The pics show the LEDs unmounted, mounted on the circuit board, the base of the LED showing the two holes, and of a number lit up by the LED. Also visible in one of the pics are the small metal tabs that come in contact with the metal posts on the circuit board.
As you can see these are too long but keep in mind these are proof-of-concept units.The next ones I receive will be shorter and also one will cast a slightly yellow tint using a different type of LED to approximate the color of the original incandescent bulbs for those that may want that.
To me the really attractive feature of these is that they are not at all a permanent mod and the machine can be reverted to its original form in a couple of minutes. In addition, they are a very compact and clean design.
More details to follow.

[Lt Teddy]

so questions.
1. Is the cost five bucks a light?
2. The too bright number is probably from the too long Light I would guess?

[emmadog]

still no definite price yet. 5 bucks was the initial estimate. once we nail down the final design and maybe get price breaks on quantity, then i'll have a final price.
it's very hard to get an accurate picture of light output with a photo. the lighting conditions in those photos were kinda dark so the light looks excessively bright. in person, it's how the lit numbers should look IMO.
they look much better than the original lights on this machine and are a huge improvement. for whatever reason the originals remain dim no matter what bulb i try. as soon as I saw the LED, I was sold on the idea particularly for this machine.
i may not outfit all my arepachis right away, but for the machines that get a lot of use or are at risk for being left on and getting hot, i will be going with LEDs. for example, ive got my taiyo mars and satomi hippie with me on this trip right now and in a week's time they've each had approx. 350 plays from all the guys. the taiyo has in and out counters so it's easy to keep track and the other one i just did the math with the quarters (all proceeds go to the NSW foundation, BTW) so the point is that's a lot of on-time for these old machines.
you could always get a set and just put them wherever you wanted and remove them whenever. they're that easy to install/remove.

[MrGneiss]

Pretty cool!!

[rdmkr1]

Super idea,,,I like how you filled the gap,,by extending the bulb up towards the board.
I love LEDS,,,and thier coolness to the touch.
I use them in computer mods to keep heat down.
I like to "gang" them up,,by soldering them in "pods" to match the cicumfrence of an existing bulb.(sometimes a burned out hard to find bulb) and then re-attach(solder,and epoxy) to the base of the old bulb(glass removed)
Especially where heat can be an issue,,ie amps,,comps ect.

Excellant idea,,,run with it...

Have you looked at this>>>

LEDs | AllElectronics.com

[emmadog]

I have not looked at the link but the guy creating them for me is an expert in things electronic so I figure he's doing it the best way.
ALS, I'll have 6 more samples tomorrow to test with different angles of throw and colors to match the incandescent bulbs. I'll post pics and results ASAP.

[Lt Teddy]

Super idea,,,I like how you filled the gap,,by extending the bulb up towards the board.
I love LEDS,,,and thier coolness to the touch.
I use them in computer mods to keep heat down.
I like to "gang" them up,,by soldering them in "pods" to match the cicumfrence of an existing bulb.(sometimes a burned out hard to find bulb) and then re-attach(solder,and epoxy) to the base of the old bulb(glass removed)
Especially where heat can be an issue,,ie amps,,comps ect.

Excellant idea,,,run with it...

Have you looked at this>>>

LEDs | AllElectronics.com

Thank you very much for business location. I ordered a box of ten of the Cat Led - 115. Will let the other members know how they work out.

[emmadog]

Remember you can't hook the LED's directy up to the post on your machines. First there is a polarity but also youneed to know the voltage and then attach/solder the correct resistor. If not they will burn up in a quick flash.
Hence my having the engineer fab them up or else I woulda just done it.
On the pics of the prototypes there aremore compliments there than meet the eye.

[emmadog]

Sorry for all the typos. The auto speller on my phone is convenient and a nuisance at the same time.
Anyway it should say components and not compliments.

[emmadog]

I received 7 more samples last week in different colors from an orange-ish to white and these are all much shorter than the first prototypes. Some of the LEDs also differed in the angle of the projected light. After fitting them all I found one that perfectly matches the original slightly yellow color and that will be the ones used for production.
These prototypes were still a little too long so the next ones will be shorter and then that should be about it and hopefully I'll have a price for anyone interested.

[emmadog]

The LED evolution continues.
Here's the latest two-just received them today. I won't be able to test them and report back until Sunday or beginning of next week but after the trial and error correspondence between the engineer and I, these are very likely the correct iteration.