Flo-tubes to light up nacelles?

frollsshontay · Post by **frollsshontay** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:04 pm

Hi all,

I came across this on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... 1399wt_922

Has anyone used these "flo-tubes" before? Are there any pros
or cons to watch out for?

Their general website is www.starshiplabs.com

Thanks

Ben

Joseph Osborn · Post by **Joseph Osborn** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:44 pm

They appear to be two LEDs stuck into either end of a plastic tube or something. You can do the same thing with a couple of LEDs and one of those frosted soda straws and you can make it any length you wish. The idea is to disperse the light from the LEDs inside the tube, sort of like a fiber optic strand in reverse. I've never actually made one of these, so take my input with a grain of salt.

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 5:47 pm

These have been talked about before here. Yep, just a tube with LEDs in the ends. You can make your own cheaper.

ChrisQ · Post by **ChrisQ** » Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:08 pm

I was the most recent person to ask this question.

I ended up making my own tube out of .10 sheet styrene.

I rolled it up, glued it with Tamiya Extra Thin and stuck an 8mm superbright led in each end and hot-glued them in there. It's still a bit brighter at the ends than in the middle, but it's far more even than just plain led's and costs less than a buck.

G-man · Post by **G-man** » Tue Jul 19, 2011 1:40 am

I've experimented with one Using led's and Clear tube for Aerating an Aquarium.

get a small syringe, liek you use to give babies medicine, Fill it with water, Cut a length of tube less then 10 cm ( Longer and you'll have problems in the center of the tube, wont light up).. Put one end of tube on syringe, fill with water, shove led in opposite end. Remove syringe, squeeze tube, place led in other end while releasing pressure on tube, Wire up, and poos instant "neon" type of light. water disperses the light fairly evenly, again with less then a 10 cm length of clear tubing.

I made one, using two led book lights i had ( the same kind that Jimi put on his ..kool running's green men sled form Iron modeler this year) With both led's turned on it cast light in about a 5 foot circle, I actually used it as a night light in my living room until the Button cell batteries ran out on the book light.

George

MillenniumFalsehood · Post by **MillenniumFalsehood** » Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:08 pm

Make sure you seal that tube if you go the water route. You don't want water evaporating a few years down the road.

I'd use silicone sealant, but the choice is up to you.

MedixWerkeShoppe · Post by **MedixWerkeShoppe** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 4:27 am

Just to see if they were worth it...I bought a set. Pure bunk! Please don't waste your time.

Delorean Man · Post by **Delorean Man** » Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:24 am

delete

DLMatthys · Post by **DLMatthys** » Mon Aug 29, 2011 9:21 am

Flo Tubes....DIY

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30727025@N ... 3684139354
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30727025@N ... 684139354/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30727025@N ... 684139354/

Costs less than a coffee @ Starbucks.
It's not the rocket science one would think. A 3mm tube (straw) and 3mm white LEDs is good for 3 inches of even glow befor the brightness drops off.
.
I put them into vulcan shuttles warp sleds...there's no extra room for inverters or converters for EL Lamp and CCFL. A low tech solution that works out pretty cool.