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Help and Advice on Custom Lighting

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  • Member since
    July 2023
Help and Advice on Custom Lighting
Posted by Colonel Klink on Monday, February 26, 2024 8:33 PM

I have never done any custom lighting and would like to include some in some of my Sci-Fi kits (Star Trek, Star Wars, BSG, etc.).

I know that I will I need to match up the LEDs with the correct battery voltage, include resistors, etc., but I am fuzy on the terminology and correct math.  Does anyone have any advice on guides or links to sites that explain it well?  I have heard that there may be some online tools that will help a novice calculate the correct battery voltage, LED rating, resitors, etc.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

(Edit): I am mostly interested in understanding the electrical math between the LEDs, battery power, resitors, etc.

Thanks

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • From: Twin cities, MN
Posted by missileman2000 on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 8:46 AM

Yes.  Those high power LEDEs are hard to hook up.  I would  try to work an LED rope or fixture into your design.

fox
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Narvon, Pa.
Posted by fox on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 8:23 PM

Hi Colonel! Have you tried asking the members in the Sci-Fi group for help. I know that some of them have put lights in their models. Maybe they can give you a hand or a link to someone who can. Hope that this helps.

Stay safe.

Jim Captain

 Main WIP: 

   On the Bench: Artesania Latina  (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by keavdog on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 8:46 PM

Thanks,

John

  • Member since
    July 2023
Posted by Colonel Klink on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 10:29 PM

Thanks for the suggestions!  I'm kinda dumb when it comes to the lighting and electrical stuff.

  • Member since
    May 2009
  • From: Poland
Posted by Pawel on Wednesday, February 28, 2024 9:18 AM

H

ello!

This subject has been raised before, so I think it might be good to have one thread (for example this one) to pack some basic and more advanced info into.

I was trained as electronics engineer and I would like to help, so if there are specific questions, please post them here and I think we can collectively work out the answers.

I have done some lighting recently, too:

Basic lighting techniques by Pawel

Basic lighting techniques by Pawel

Basic lighting techniques by Pawel

Basic lighting techniques by Pawel

Basic lighting techniques by Pawel

Basic lighting techniques by Pawel

Some comments - I'm using SMD (surface mount) parts because they are small - but harder to solder. The thin wire is called Kynar good stuff for wiring in really tight spaces. And I used 5V power source - this way you can use any computer, many cellphones or cellphone chargers as power source. It just has to have a USB socket.

If you tell me how many LEDs you want to power (and what colour), then I can work out a wiring diagram for you, that's not really complicated one you get the hang of it. It would still be up to you to mount all the parts and wire up everything.

Good luck with your builds and have a nice day

Paweł

All comments and critique welcomed. Thanks for your honest opinions!

www.vietnam.net.pl

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