BossQuilter Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 Has anyone come up with any ideas for making the needle lighting area better? I have been trying to find an LED retrofit but no luck.... What are you using? Maybe we can post pictures of our lights? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamu Posted January 21, 2013 Report Share Posted January 21, 2013 I know that several ladies purchase lighting and ADD to the handles or frame of the machine to make things brighter for them. This is the least expensive way for additional lighting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 My husband retrofitted my lights on my 2005 Mille by using a piece of 1/2" aluminum channel that replaced the huge original neon light bar. He also fabricated a piece of flat plate aluminum that surrounds the needle bar and placed a continuous string of lights around the perimeter of it. These resemble what the newer machines have. He purchased our LED lights and supplies from an on-line source; there are many. I don't have time to post a photo tonight and will be away from a computer for couple days. Send me a message or I'll check back later if you are interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbcquilts Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 If you could....posting a photo would be great. How is it connected into the power source?? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 It plugs into a transformer that plugs into the AC power on the rear of the machine. I use those little self stick clips along the side of Mille from the front to the back of the machine head to keep the cord tied to the machine. I'll try and post a photo this weekend; sorry for the delay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BossQuilter Posted January 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 I think I have tried over 20 different clip, clamp, stick and glue on light .... I am getting older and need LIGHT I will be greatful to see what hubby came up with. Thanks for the reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Here is what I've done. I haven't changed the flourescent light but added two (of a five pack) under-cabinet Xenon puck lights using heavy duty outdoor double stick tape and clips for the wire. I've run the plug in wire along with my other wiring and plug it in to a circuit breaker type extension cord (what they are really called escapes me... . If natural lighting seems low I use both, otherwise I use these alone. They are so bright and do not get hot at all. Love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 How old is your machine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busy Quilting Posted January 22, 2013 Report Share Posted January 22, 2013 Marci it looks like your lights would do a great job. On our Milleniums we are supposed to have that thread guide above our tension discs point to 8 O'clock, It doesn't looks like that is where yours is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted January 23, 2013 Report Share Posted January 23, 2013 Lyn, that guide was hanging due south a few days ago and I couldn't get the side cover off to tighten it up due to a stripped screw head. Put all new screws in and realize now I forgot to tighten it from inside. Thanks for catching that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted January 27, 2013 Report Share Posted January 27, 2013 Sorry for the delay in posting photos for the retrofit my husband did on my 2005 Mille. I will let him describe the photos. I've not posted photos before so I am hoping it works - and here is how he did it: The Millennium was originally fitted with a neon light bar fastened to the rear handlebar mounting block. The handlebar mounting blocks and thread guide on the needle bar were removed. A new LED light bar was fabricated using 1/2" aluminum channel and the plate around the needle bar was made using a scrap of alum. plate (under 1/8"). mounting holes were drilled in both the plate and channel to match the pattern of the original light bar mount holes. In an effort to allow good illumination to the rear, the rear flange of the channel was machined off. This left only the front flange hanging down which protects the operators eyes. "L" shaped strip lights were used on the plate and straight strip lights were used on the channel. All were adhesive backed, high out put bright white LED lights. Light strips were connected by soldering wires to the strip connectors and wiring them in series. The bar and plate were mounted and then the lights were adhered which cover the mounting screws. They are powered by a 12v 5watt inverter which is plugged into the rear a/c power outlet on the machine used for the laser light. There is an inline switch and a dimmer wired in, but they are always used on full brightness. Mounting to handlebar view LEDlighting4 by Callender Quilts, on Flickr Cord: LED lighting2 by Callender Quilts, on Flickr Bottom view of Lights: LED lighting1 by Callender Quilts, on Flickr LEDligting5 by Callender Quilts, on Flickr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbcquilts Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 Thank you so much for the pics and info...looks great, I will show my hubby and sure he can fix this up for me. Can't wait Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted January 30, 2013 Report Share Posted January 30, 2013 That is a wonderful LED lighting setup, Lisa! Your hubby may just have started a new job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BossQuilter Posted February 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2013 Lisa, can you please ask your hubby where he purchased the lights? I think we can do the install if we can find the light strips themselves. Thank you, Trinity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted February 26, 2013 Report Share Posted February 26, 2013 Trinity, he bought them all from Ecolight LED Lighting Solutions and Elemental LED. There is a myriad of stores selling this stuff now so I'd check prices at a few of them. Let me know if you have any other questions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbara Conquest Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 Thanks for the info and photos. I can foresee a brighter future for my Millennium! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mestuart Posted March 1, 2013 Report Share Posted March 1, 2013 That looks like a great light set up. Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BossQuilter Posted March 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Well, after much searching (Thanks to Lisa's help) I went to my local electrical supply house. They had an LED lighting answer... In fact 2 of them... http://www.leddistributing.com/counterstrike-series.html I purchased the puck and attached it to my front armature for my Circle Lord up front, I am checking to see the pricing for a replacement LED bulb for the existing tube light. They do make them! If I can't find a bulb I will get the blade light also and change out the existing light fixture. I didn't realize how spendy the lights would be. On another topic.... I STOPPED THE CHIRPING noise from the stitch regulator! It only took me 7 years to get it done!@ I will get some pics up next week of my Millie retrofit. It would be great to see some of the ingenious ideas that we all have come up with over the years. Post your pictures and descriptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaC Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 Yes, show us what you came up with! I'm always interested in this sort of stuff. I'm working on my domestic sewing machine right now, LOL....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgate Posted March 7, 2013 Report Share Posted March 7, 2013 So how did you stop the chirping noise please share Marlene Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BossQuilter Posted March 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2013 Marlene, I would suggest that you contact service for the exact instructions on how to stop the chirp, machines are different for different year models and I would hate to steer you wrong. It was simple though! As to the lighting I am putting up some pics of what I have done. I have ordered the strip light to retrofit the fluorescent, it will plug into the puck cord and utilize the same cord switch. I also have shown how my Millie cord is plugged into the ceiling and travels with my machine. The trick was the "stand post" to keep the cord above the machine height. All is possible with enough ambition (tie straps and duct tape)!.... puck light.pdf Overhead light.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeferris Posted March 3, 2014 Report Share Posted March 3, 2014 Here is a solution for the fluorescent machines. I made one for my wife and others have requested so I've made it available for sale. http://www.mcautomationinc.com/led2 Here is a thread with some answers to questions. http://forum.apqs.com/index.php?/topic/35098-led-light-systems-for-apqs-longarms/ Thanks, Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleyl Posted March 6, 2015 Report Share Posted March 6, 2015 Just installed my new light and it was easy peasy and I love it! http://www.mcautomationinc.com/led2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeferris Posted March 28, 2015 Report Share Posted March 28, 2015 Great to hear Shirley! Thanks for the update. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyquilter Posted April 3, 2015 Report Share Posted April 3, 2015 I also would like to know how you stopped the chirping noise. I have gotten used to it but when one of my dogs keeps me company while I quilt, she barks at the chirping sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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