Reliable EL Panel Source for MVS Cabs

So after Ed from BeingSeen closed up shop, I went on a search for an alternative source of working EL panels for multislot MVS cabs. This turned out to be a lot more difficult than I expected, primarily because the type of panels we need for our cabs (parallel plate lamps) seem to be an uncommon interface in an already extremely niche field of EL commercial lighting.

Finally, I found a good source of information in Mike Jacovino from e-Lite in Connecticut, who was a huge help in trying to find a solution for us. While e-Lite couldn't supply proper panels, after a great deal of looking around, he found a channel partner of his who possibly could.

Enter Glen at Luminous Films in Louisiana. Glen is one of the few providers of Parallel Plate EL lamps out there, and after a description of what I needed, he is now providing size A6 EL panels at a reasonable price of around $75 for a set of 4 on his website which I have included in his contact info below. These size A6 panels are almost the exact size of the originals, and of noticeably better quality than the stock lamps. I've attached photos of them in action.

Glen was also great with communication, and they shipped my set extremely quickly.

Here's how to get in touch with him:

LuminousFilm.com
7100 West Park Road
Shreveport, Louisiana 71129
Phone: 318-393-6151
www.LuminousFilm.com




For info on installation, check out Mitsurugi's awesome tutorial here:

http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198187

seems bit short

They actually aren't. The KOF2003 shot was just because the PCB is skewed a bit to the left and needs to be adjusted. The Blazing Star one is centered better. Getting the PCB, holder, and marquee to line up properly is a pain in the ass.

They are slightly thinner than the originals, but only slightly, and not thinner than your average mini-marquee. They are also a bit taller than the originals, so you do see some glow bleeding through at the top, but I think this could easily be mitigated by mounting the lamp lower on the PCB (I centered them).

if im going to spend the money i want exact

I asked when I placed my order, and he can have an exact size duplicate made, although it will only net you less than a quarter of an inch worth of EL panel width which would be hidden by the marquee anyway.

The downside is that it would cost $1000 to do a specially tooled run for that size, since it isn't normal stock.

Options are good.

im willing to wait for exact replacements. but thanks for the links

We should be able to work with the supplier to get the exact size. May have to trim them down yourself. Ed trimmed them before he sent them out.

trimmin them is great adding the extra is something we cant do. and this guy is unwilling to do so

Mitsurugi-w said:

We should be able to work with the supplier to get the exact size. May have to trim them down yourself. Ed trimmed them before he sent them out.

Click to expand...

I sent Ed a dead bulb to match them back when he was in business..
I can send the you or the new supplier a dead bulb to match if needed..

You guys might be interested to know that, now that I have acquired a 4-slot cab of my own, I have real motivation to follow through on a project idea I had; diffused LED array-based replacement for the EL panels.

The whole unit could be made to replace the piece of particle board that backs up the marquee, and would be a drop-in replacement without needing to alter any of the EL boards or wiring. I'll keep you posted.

sorry to revive an old thread...but i was desperate to get my EL panels up and running. Couldnt stand it any longer. I just wanted to say that LuminousFilm was great to work with at least, and fast (even cut me some slack on shipping). And affordable from what i could find. Yes, the A6 size for the sake of brevity is WAY off from the original panels, but is was easy and they look good enough for me. They are basically the exact width of the marquee window. and about 1/2" taller for those at all interested. I will replace them maybe when a better source comes around.

Unfortunately, we 4-slot version 3 owners may not be able to use TheBakachan's jedi handy work without cutting out the backboard behind the marquee (i cant stomach that just yet). At least not from what i've read so far. :-( For all others...check it out! pretty cool!

duuude thanks for this i will order up a few tonight, as the LED option is not possible for my 2 slot Gold cab.

Good looks OP

If you're after the panels you can get them here .....

http://glowhut.com/a6-size-electrolu...panellam6.html

Here is a video from somebody who used them.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwgm-FEG9X8
If you watch the other 2 videos in his series it shows how you solder them as well!!

Cheers guys.

I found the video myself on youtube a few months ago on a whim when I searched for neo geo EL panels. I was shocked I actually got that result haha! I ordered and received them and they're currently sitting on my cabinet waiting to be installed. Unfortunately they're just a tad bit longer than the originals but there's no other option out there that I can find without having to pay someone lots of money to make custom panels. Of course, it might be worth it if I'd get enough people interested to recoup the initial cost of the custom run but I'm running into the same issue with support for my overlay initiative.

neo-mvs-man said:

If you're after the panels you can get them here .....

http://glowhut.com/a6-size-electrolu...panellam6.html

Here is a video from somebody who used them.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwgm-FEG9X8
If you watch the other 2 videos in his series it shows how you solder them as well!!

Cheers guys.

Click to expand...

Genjuro said:

I found the video myself on youtube a few months ago on a whim when I searched for neo geo EL panels. I was shocked I actually got that result haha! I ordered and received them and they're currently sitting on my cabinet waiting to be installed. Unfortunately they're just a tad bit longer than the originals but there's no other option out there that I can find without having to pay someone lots of money to make custom panels. Of course, it might be worth it if I'd get enough people interested to recoup the initial cost of the custom run but I'm running into the same issue with support for my overlay initiative.

Click to expand...

As you can see in the second video, once they're stuck down they're only a few mm larger right arund the sides, BUT, thats exactly why theyre hidden behind the marquee holder!
In mine you'd never know how big they are because there is no gap to see light through.....
I'm going away soon but as soon as i get back i'll put up a video od me installing the same product......they seem perfect to me and need NO trimming at all!!