Recommended Warm LED's for EM?

[CJBob]

Hi Everyone.

Hot enough for ya?

I'm looking to replace the lights in my Volley with LED's to help preserve the (new) backglass going forward but I find the LED's I've used to this point don't have the same look as the old 44's.

There are a thousand choices out there, can anyone recommend warm LED's that look good in older machines?

Thanks

 

[spiroagnew]

When I have to use LEDs in an EM, I rely on Comet LED's Retro bulb...

http://www.cometpinball.com/product-p/1retroled.htm

You can pair the Comet Retro warm white bulb with a clear or frosted lens as well.

 

[CJBob]

Thanks, I've seen the name comet pinball come up many times here. Just placed my first order with them.

 

[DRANO]

Retro bulbs are great... and they have almost the right look too.
Comet's OpMax are really nice too, but VERY bright compared to the others. Not sure I'd use them on an EM

 

[Slam_Tilt]

Use incandescent 47 bulbs.

 

[ShootAgain]

When I have to use LEDs in an EM, I rely on Comet LED's Retro bulb...

http://www.cometpinball.com/product-p/1retroled.htm

You can pair the Comet Retro warm white bulb with a clear or frosted lens as well.

What is best for a Backglass? Frosted or clear?

 

[spiroagnew]

What is best for a Backglass? Frosted or clear?

I'll clarify my previous recommendation: brand new #47 bulbs are completely safe to have behind a backglass in the home environment and give the most authentic look. These lights aren't going to be cooking the paint for fourteen hours a day/seven days a week like they did back when they were on route, and the #47s run a bit cooler than the original #44s used back in the day. Guys like Tim Arnold and other retro operators swear by LED in their old games because they are still operated for long periods of time, AND they've got an electric bill to worry about.

Cost is also a factor here. You can get a box of one hundred #47s for less than $8USD whereas one hundred Comet retros will set you back $39USD. I'll let you draw the line between "fool" and "money" and won't make the judgement myself.

That said, new BGRESTO backglasses seem to diffuse light differently than the originals, so maybe a brighter LED is called for? I don't have a repro glass from them. I say grab a bag of each, frosted and clear, and please your own eye. Have some #47s on hand, too...just to compare.

My Abracadabra backbox is done with Comet warm whites. It was an experiment. It looks just fine. However, my eight other EMs that have passed through all got the #47 treatment and I was completely satisfied with those as well.

 

[CJBob]

I've got 47's in all other machines and locations, but I'd rather be on the safe side with the new BGRESTO backglass so I'm going with LED's. It may hold up fine but I don't want to be the guy who finds out it doesn't.

 

[DRANO]

I would probably go 47s. They don't burn nearly as hot as the original 44s and, unless you are planning to put the machine on location and leave it on for days on end, I don't see how you would damage the glass in any way.

In fact, on most EMs I would only go with an LED in a particular insert that wasn't lighting up brightly enough. I hit my C37 with some green, purple and red LEDs on a few of the key inserts. They are very opaque and even a 44 has a hard time shining through. And yes, I did clean the underside of my inserts with a q-tip and alcohol.

Anything more and I find it spoils the look and feel of the machine. Also, resist the urge to put coloured LEDs in your pop bumpers

 

[ShootAgain]

I'll clarify my previous recommendation: brand new #47 bulbs are completely safe to have behind a backglass in the home environment and give the most authentic look. These lights aren't going to be cooking the paint for fourteen hours a day/seven days a week like they did back when they were on route, and the #47s run a bit cooler than the original #44s used back in the day. Guys like Tim Arnold and other retro operators swear by LED in their old games because they are still operated for long periods of time, AND they've got an electric bill to worry about.

Cost is also a factor here. You can get a box of one hundred #47s for less than $8USD whereas one hundred Comet retros will set you back $39USD. I'll let you draw the line between "fool" and "money" and won't make the judgement myself.

That said, new BGRESTO backglasses seem to diffuse light differently than the originals, so maybe a brighter LED is called for? I don't have a repro glass from them. I say grab a bag of each, frosted and clear, and please your own eye. Have some #47s on hand, too...just to compare.

My Abracadabra backbox is done with Comet warm whites. It was an experiment. It looks just fine. However, my eight other EMs that have passed through all got the #47 treatment and I was completely satisfied with those as well.

Thanks for the tips Rob!

I was shocked to see that Stern are still using #44 in their non-led pins.
I had a bag full of bulbs from previous led conversion I did on my Sterns that I was planning to use in my EMs...but they are unfortunately all #44.