Displaying Playfields

[Blastronaut]

It's been a while since I've been active here (hi everyone!)...I finally reclaimed my pachinko machines out of storage. Sadly, the glass on my Sammy Back To The Future door was shattered. It didn't damage the display or playfield, thankfully, but I might have to find a replacement glass pane or have one custom cut.

That being said, I have three separate playfields (GaoGaiGar, Ranma 1/2 and Hissatsu Shigotonin) and I'm wondering if anyone has ever displayed the playfields like on the wall in a shadowbox or display case? And if so, is there a way to plug them in so they light up while displayed, even if they aren't inserted into a compatible machine? I don't really know if I can find the compatible machines for them, but I would love to display them like wall art.

[emmadog]

People do that all the time with pinball machine playfields and back glasses.

[Blastronaut]

People do that all the time with pinball machine playfields and back glasses.

Yes but I don't know if anyone makes pre-built shadowboxes or display cases to hang them. I would rather buy one that's already designed and built than try to make my own. And is there a way to power the playfields with a on/off switch so that maybe they will light up while in frame? (I don't know if the playfield is completely self-contained with all the video, lights and attracts or if it won't run without being inserted into a frame)

[Drunkenclam]

Prebuilt would be difficult as cels come in all shapes and sizes with different mounts. Some of mine I have to store on their side due to the way the circuit boards are postioned on the back.

[emmadog]

i doubt if pre built ones are available. seems like all the ones i've seen are custom jobs but so might want to hire a carpenter. lighting it up shouldn't be too difficult with LEDs as there's so many cheap LED/controller options.

[Blastronaut]

That makes sense about having a custom box made. But I was referring to powering the playfields so they display their videos and lights, not so much lighting the frame with LEDs. I realize many machines have proprietary connections, but I'm wondering if playfields will not power on unless inserted into their corresponding frame, or if they can be powered separately.

[Drunkenclam]

powering them would be another nighmare. Cool. But not at all simple.

[compirate]

They do that in Japan all the time. You have to have all the boards in the back. At least the power board from that games frame.

[Blastronaut]

Ah okay. Are there vendors in Japan that provide the playfield display frames with the power board?