Options for lighting connections to pedestals -or not - etc

Ask and answer questions, share tips and resources for installing lighting and other electronics in your models.

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Lebowski (The Lesser)
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Options for lighting connections to pedestals -or not - etc

Post by Lebowski (The Lesser) »

After 20 years away from modelling, and after spending 40 years of paychecks on models to catch up - I find I am in a bit of a quandry. I want to light my ships - but maybe using pedestals - or maybe not. I am a new BSG fanatic and have a large number of the colonial fleet in my workroom. I want to figure out how to light them first - but-- I would like to retain the ability to either show them on pedestals - or flying through space from my high basement ceiling. I have heard of people using magnetic connections/or micropin connectors that could be linked to an exteriour power source. I would appreciate any advice. :?:
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en'til Zog
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Post by en'til Zog »

Dude!

Try this thread to start with. then ask questions.

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=38927
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky »

We should start a thread for mounting examples. Need some basic pictures of each technique and examples of it so that the thread isn't to wordy.

Short answers is anything from 1/4" mono or stereo jacks to mini mono jacks. To spring fingers removed from RJ45 ethernet jacks and brass plate.

IT depends on whether or not you want the electric connection to hold the model up or if you want the model to sit on the connection (not a hard dock)
<a href="http://www.kc6sye.com/2_wheresaneatpart.jpg" target="_Sparky">Is this plastic thingy on the counter a neat part?</a> <a href="http://www.kc6sye.com/1_casting_inprogress.jpg" target="_Sparky">Let's cast it.</a>
shotgunlebowski
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Post by shotgunlebowski »

Since you like BSG here is the MK VII I mounted using headphone jacks. I think it was 1/4 and you can get them from Frys or Radio Shack Typically.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hp ... 5554_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hp ... 6183_n.jpg

Technically if you wanted you could use a long headphone extension chord to supply power. This model is powered by a 9volt battery in the base however. The operation to do this is simple, just unscrew the plastic housing on each side of the jack, figure out which connector is + and - and then soder it up. I'm not sure it'd put wall power through the headphone cable though. The connector should be ok with appropriate wire gauge.

John
Sparky
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Post by Sparky »

we put 12 volts and lots of power through ours, and made it stand up to slow rotation :!:
<a href="http://www.kc6sye.com/2_wheresaneatpart.jpg" target="_Sparky">Is this plastic thingy on the counter a neat part?</a> <a href="http://www.kc6sye.com/1_casting_inprogress.jpg" target="_Sparky">Let's cast it.</a>
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