Author Topic: Stern Apron Light Bar  (Read 9518 times)

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Offline swinks

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Stern Apron Light Bar
« on: May 15, 2015, 04:27:49 PM »
I have noticed on some of the Sterns that some of thew spot lights are a little big and ugly, so here is an attempt for an affordable alternative.

It is a component I am calling the Stern Apron Light Bar. I did one version with some leds and the bar assembly fits nicely, but the leds did not give out enough light coverage. So I modelled up an alternative using Comet's adhesive backed 7 x led strip that can be fastened inside the light bar. The Version 2 LB no longer has a front cover and has some angled sections allowing light to be distributed straight, and at 15 degrees to both sides. I did snip the 1 of the 7 leds off the strip to keep the design compact and shortened the design by a few mm's.

Ordering - simply order from Shapeways in the colour you would like

Fitting
- the light bar housing is 3D printed so it can be give 1 x coat of clear to gloss it up
- once dry fit the apron led comet strip
- feed the led strip wire through the centre pass through hole.
- apply double sided tape to the top of the light bar that will stick to the underside of the apron.
- there are 3 holes in the back that you can tap and fasten a screw through (though with the nylon you could probably self tap using the appropriate screw) - this screw applies pressure to the inside of the apron as a backup to keep the bar in place.
- stick the light bar to the underside of the apron and then lock in the screw to the iside of the apron.
- connect the 2 wires from the led comet light strip to a 6.3 volt light source - spot lights / game feature and good to go.

photos are of Version 1.

here is the link to the led strips, alternatively you could use two 3 led strips and hook up to different features or use 2 different colours.
http://www.cometpinball.com/6-3-V-Plug-Play-Strips-Comet-Pinball-p/6.3vsmdstrips.htm
« Last Edit: May 15, 2015, 04:33:53 PM by swinks »
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Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #1 on: May 15, 2015, 04:32:05 PM »
1 more photos of Version 1
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Offline swinks

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« Last Edit: May 15, 2015, 05:05:46 PM by swinks »
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Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2015, 09:11:40 PM »
thought best to add some pics of proto 1 of the stern apron light bar, which has 2 of my 7 colour select RGB boards allowing you to mix up the colours on your playfield (red, green, blue, yellow, cyan, magenta and white), this one is available for purchase for $30 if anyone is interested otherwise off to ebay. The shot with the light only is in the garage totally black and the camera has changed the white light to a blue / purple.

The spotlight bar comes with screw for the front cover and in the back for fastening as well as 2 boards wired up and the way they are designed it doesn't matter about the polarity when hooking up to a 6.3vdc source. you could hook it up to a feature or run all the time and even have each side shining different colours.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2015, 09:14:34 PM by swinks »
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Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2015, 09:12:32 PM »
one more show the swinks rgb board that is inside the spot light bar
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Offline oldskool1969

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2015, 09:14:49 PM »
Nice work Dude
If it isn't broke, it isn't pinball.

Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2015, 09:20:13 PM »
thought best to add some pics of proto 2 of the stern apron light bar, which has a 6 led strip (stickie back) fastened to the inside of the spot light bar. You can get these leds from Comet or even a AP member sells the 6.3vdc leds on a strip. This one is available for purchase for $30 if anyone is interested otherwise off to ebay. The shot with the light only is in the garage totally black with the strip being blue, thought I had white but don't but a very easy change over.

This doesn't have a front cover and because of 6 leds throws a little more light and slightly more slim lined that proto 1

this version is available on Shapeways as well, as I chose not to use the proto 1 design as I need to wait for the dollar to improve before I buy some more switchable rgb boards.
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Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2015, 09:21:09 PM »
last 2
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Offline GORGAR 1

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2015, 09:27:21 PM »
Pm sent :)

Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2015, 09:40:12 PM »
a question was asked about fastening - basically there is a screw that tightens up against the back inside edge of the apron, there is allowance for 3 screws for extra security. I will tap and fit screws to all 3 holes.
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Offline pinsanity

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2015, 10:49:58 PM »
Nice work Dude


+1

swinks add ons are always great to see.

Very innovative.  ^^^

Offline swinks

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Re: Stern Apron Light Bar
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2015, 11:10:57 PM »
the rgb spot light version has been sold but the led strip version is still available
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