Lighting a PL 1/000 Enterprise REFIT.

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 3:15 pm

Finally bought one and intend on constructing it later this year, am set on having it lighted but unlike the 1/350 version i can't find any guides or kits for it all.
The only evidence ive found that someone has even done it is this guy on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTkGolFoG_k
He mentions SMD LEDS but apart from that can't get much more out of him isnt replying to messages, so hoping theres going to be some help on here please.
One last thing i have just worked in a factory job which involved soldering so am not bad at doing that, just need a plan.

en'til Zog · Post by **en'til Zog** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:51 pm

You might try http://ngineering.com/ for what you need to know about SMT LEDs.

JediPuju · Post by **JediPuju** » Wed Sep 14, 2011 10:58 am

Hi There,

Im currently doing the same thing for my 1/1000 refit so Im happy to share with you my experiences.

modelmantom has just launched his "modelers brand" smt led strips so It might be worth checking this out. have a look at modelman's youtube channel for info. I bought mine in the UK however. I think this is what you are reffering to with regard i assume to lighintng the nacelles?

Im currently trying this stuff out, im still trying to find the right "wonder material" to place in front of the led strips, in order to mitigate the row of "spots" down the chiller grille.

Ive also been prototyping my nav / stobe flashers on a breadboard and Ill be transferring this to veroboard later - when Ive built this up Ill post up a pic of the circuit.

Im at work atm , but when I get home Ill get some pics together to show you my progress.

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:53 pm

Hello thanks for replying, looked at that channel and the stuff is impressive, but not sure I'd want that much and plus hes in the US.
I have been looking at maplin here in the UK and they have a wide selection of LEDs heres the link, http://www.maplin.co.uk/components/optoelectronics
I just need to know which ones...heres an LED strip for instance http://www.maplin.co.uk/dc-12-v-led-strip-218015
Cheers.

Paulbo · Post by **Paulbo** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 8:06 pm

Welcome, Rum!

The Captain's Store in the UK carries my Easy LED smd strip and you might find it useful, especially being available from a domestic supplier.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions - I've been handling this material for quite a while and have heard (and solved) most every question out there.

Cheers,
Paul

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Fri Sep 23, 2011 6:32 pm

Hi, from what i can tell from pics of lighted 1/350 models i would need the following for this 1/000 build:

2 white LED strips (one for saucer round the sides and one for the hull windows.
1 very bright blue LED for the deflector.
2 blue LED strips for the nacelles?.
2 red LED's for the impulse engines.
2 red LED's for the torpedo bays.
1 blue LED for the upper rear of the saucer (not sure what this is)
2 bright white LED'S for bridge/underneath bridge.

Can't see anything else?.

Also looking at fiber optic lighting...

MedixWerkeShoppe · Post by **MedixWerkeShoppe** » Thu Sep 29, 2011 11:19 pm

I've given you a link to Don Matthys site and the small board he build to fit in the smaller hulls as in your 1/1000 scale replica. Maybe this can also point you in a better direction.

http://dlmparts.com/electronics.html

Good Luck!

Mike

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:21 am

Thanks for that link the $35 set looks to be what I'd need.

I also e-mailed trek modeller concerning whether they plan on releasing a lighting kit for this model and they replied back its in the works but no ETA as yet.

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:52 am

Here's a list of the parts i'm compiling, i'm using a picture guide i found on a website but because of the smaller size i'm omiting some of the lights, any comments/suggestions welcome!.
SAUCER EDGE..........Easy LED - 30cm £7.99
BLINKING LIGHTS......FEDERATION FLASHER BOARD Kit with Electronic Components £22
TORPEDO BAY..........3mm Super Bright LEDs £0.64
IMPULSE ENGINES......3mm Super Bright LEDs £0.64
AFT POSITION.........3mm Super Bright LEDs
DEFLECTOR DISH.......5mm Super Bright Blue LEDs £3.09
FRONTAL SPOT.........Super Bright 3mm LED
BOTTOM SAUCER SPOT...Super Bright 3mm LED

http://bruce-domain.blogspot.com/2010/1 ... refit.html
http://www.maplin.co.uk/components/opto ... ndard-leds

Of course I could just get a kit like the madman one it comes in at £50.

BTW one last thing is it alright to use Tamiya pearl white spray on this size scale as ive read it doesnt look right for the scale.

MLCrisis32 · Post by **MLCrisis32** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 12:33 am

This place is a fantastic resource!

I finished a non-lit version of the 1/1000 refit hastily and really want to make a better, lit version and will be keeping an eye on this thread.

Also do some of this circuit boards come pre-assembled for us without any electronics training?

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Sat Oct 22, 2011 8:15 am

Huzzah someone doing the same as me!.

i'll tell you where i am atm, i'm very much leaning towards the madman starship lighting kit as i too have little electronics exp and this build will be a one of a kind for me, the only thing i want to know first for which ive e-mailed madman is is there anything you should add or alter in it for this PL 1/000 refit kit as his kit came out before it did, for instance i don't see red lights for the torp bays and impulse engines on the refit in this vid, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycUsql8aWG8

Otherwise good luck for your build and mine!.

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Sat Oct 29, 2011 9:40 am

Final thing i'm having to look at now is how to make the holes in the plastic for the windows, never done this on a model before better look at a hobby drill

.

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 8:30 am

Hi there thought i'd give an update as to where i am with this.

I now have everything i need for this bar a battery, ive bought madman lightings starship lighting kit and it looks superb itching to get it set up but still figuring out the battery. I found this one on ebay and madman said it will work but i need a switch...no idea about this any help appreciated.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120645075209? ... 1423.l2649

Took a pic of the parts which are having drilling here, i bought a Games Workshop citidel hobby drill does the trick very nicely and is exactly the right size, will use plasticine i think to fill the holes for when i prime and paint this thing, cheers all!.
http://i44.tinypic.com/xcpwjl.jpg

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 4:19 pm

That power supply has a nice switch on it...

If you need a switch closer to the model, like in the stand/base, there will be some wiring involved. You will need a connector in the base to mate with the connection from that power supply, then you can wire to a switch. and then a mating connector set to go from the stand to the ship, or a hard dock connection if you prefer.

Please advise:
If you want a switch/connector assembly in the base.
If you want a hard dock connection to the model or a mating connector so the model can be removed from the stand at will.

Ah I see know the power supply there is a charger...

iloverum · Post by **iloverum** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 9:28 am

The model will be staying put on its stand, no "flying" it around the room for me!

.

So other than cutting the connector on that battery so it can hook up to the kit, theres nothing else I would need to do with it?.

thanks.

ModelMan · Post by **ModelMan** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:25 pm

Hi Iloverum,
As Jedipuju kindly pointed out earlier, I am now selling LED Supply Packs and smd LEDTape under the name Modeler's Brand Hobby Supplies.

MB's LED Starter 10-Pack sounds perfect for you at the best price mentioned so far.
http://www.modelersbrand.com/sitefiles/ ... ack_02.jpg

USD$20 gets you 90 leds, (10 each of 9 colors), 90, 470ohm resistors (for a 12v power supply) + 75 more resistors of different strengths to experiment with, 3 feet of heat shrink, 10 feet of wire (5' each of 2 colors), a roll of electrical tape, a power switch, 2, 9v battery clips, and a foot of solder to start you off. All you need is a power source and soldering iron. Oh, and in this initial run, at least two 3-LED segments of LEDtape (random color and style).

As to LEDTape, before you choose, consider the LED count! Most on the market have 18LED's/30cm. Modeler's Brand has 36 LED's and I cut to feet, not cm, so you get 39 LED's per foot (111LED's/Yard). It also comes in three different styles to match your specific needs.

Why is the LED count and style important? It's about making the light emitted as smooth as possible. Otherwise, you get the same hotpots you would if you used normal leds.

A foot of any color MB's Smooth LEDTape is USD $9.
I'm guessing you'll want blue.
http://www.modelersbrand.com/sitefiles/ ... mooth.html

Compare the prices and consider the value yourself.
Priority shipping to the UK is about USD $13 for all of this.

The only thing I don't do (yet) is blinking flasher circuits.

Whatever you choose, happy modeling!
Best,
Tom
www.modelersbrand.com
sales@modelersbrand.com