Powering 5V Topper from 2020 Stern

[Kipps98]

Hi All,

Electronics noob here

I would like to wire this LED box light as a topper, and have it come on with the rest of the machine.

The box light is currently USB powered, but from what I’ve read, I shouldn't power it directly from the sockets on the CPU. There is a battery equivalent of the light that takes 3xAAs so I’m assuming it runs off 5V.

This is to go in Stern’s TMNT which I understand is a Spike 2 system?

Ideally looking for instructions for a tried and tested method, preferably a method that doesn’t require hacking into the games wiring. I have multimeter and soldering equipment I’m just not very good at electronics theory!

Thanks,
Kieran

 

[Andydn]

I use the USB in the backbox, apparently it has overload protection but don’t take my word for it & obviously do it at your own risk. I’ve had two pins with these for several months now without issue.
I’m an NOT qualified or an expert in the slightest on these node boards & power consumption by the way

….although I would add - don’t ‘assume’ it’s 5v! Make 100% sure it is first.

 

[paulg100]

Isnt the 5v ltd to 2amps? how much is the topper using (probably less than that but ???)

maybe best to just put an extra 5v psu in the back box and feed that from the mains then.

EDIT: tried and tested method, stick another 5v psu in the backbox

 

[Fubar]

The USB ports on the CPU are 500mA each, I think the topper should be ok at 2.5W - keep it simple.

 

[Kipps98]

The USB ports on the CPU are 500mA each, I think the topper should be ok at 2.5W - keep it simple.

This thread is putting me off though!

 

[Fubar]

This thread is putting me off though!

We're all just random armchair experts on the internet lol

I don't imagine the lightbox product page mentions the power draw? That would answer the question.

Clearly it's OK to draw some power from the ports - Stern do it with WiFi dongles and USB keys.

The USB ports have overcurrent protection so I don't think there's much harm in giving it a go. If your game starts acting strange then get a dedicated power supply.

 

[Andydn]

This thread is putting me off though!

The people that say ‘Defintely don’t do it’ have never tried it.
The people that have tried it have never had an issue.
That’s how I made my decision.

 

[kevlar]

I run all my speaker lights off CN6 on the PDB in the back box but that's 12v. @MadNat makes a mod board that plugs into CN6, gives you 12v and 5v for mods and also drives addressable RGB strips for speakers etc, this is what I use. @stumblor makes a mod power board too, also pinball life have their own. Probably cheaper to just used a 5v supply, or go the usb route as others have said. Lots of options.

 

[Kipps98]

I run all my speaker lights off CN6 on the PDB in the back box but that's 12v. @MadNat makes a mod board that plugs into CN6, gives you 12v and 5v for mods and also drives addressable RGB strips for speakers etc, this is what I use. @stumblor makes a mod power board too, also pinball life have their own. Probably cheaper to just used a 5v supply, or go the usb route as others have said. Lots of options.

I was thinking CN6 into a 12v to 5V converter, but @Andydn and @Fubar make some good points about the USB sockets on the CPU board. Perhaps I’ll try that first, especially as this is the only powered mod I plan to fit and it’s a low power draw (I’ll see if I can find this out beforehand).

Thanks

 

[Andydn]