Evans Lighting - Fujimi Spinner kit

Redshirt 5 · Post by **Redshirt 5** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 12:30 pm

Has anyone had any experience working with any products from Evans Lighting?

I've been holding off construction on my Fujimi Spinner as I want to light it, but my electronics skills are marginal at best. I'd prefer using an aftermarket kit rather than trying to come up with something on my own.

Evans Lighting offers just such a kit. It looks like a great kit, but all the photos & vids on the site are extremely blurry and it's not clear what the parts will actually look like when installed. Attempts at communicating with the owner by email to clarify these issues were very frustrting, as he really didn't answer any of my questions to my satisfaction.

Has anyone used this kit or any other Evans kits? $89 is reasonable for a lighting kit...but it's still a lot of money, especially considering the investment I've made in the spinner kit with other aftermarket items so far.

- Tim

Richard Baker · Post by **Richard Baker** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 2:31 pm

Not much idea about the components, but looking at the photos on his site he seems to have ignored the distinctive front wheel housing lighting entirely. Those side arcs and the outrigger spots are a big part of the coolness of the Spinner.

Redshirt 5 · Post by **Redshirt 5** » Tue Mar 10, 2015 7:41 am

I missed that the first time around...but sure enough, you're right! It's very hard to make out the size of the LEDs used for the flashing lights as well. Due to the soft focus, they could be oversized for the scale.

I think I'm going to have to pass on this one...and my Spinner will continue to go unbuilt until I can find a suitable lighting solution.

- Tim

Madman Lighting · Post by **Madman Lighting** » Fri Mar 13, 2015 7:57 pm

OK, now I can't just sit here ignoring an opportunity like this....!

Just exactly what does a Spindrift need for lighting? I can offer the electronics, wires, fiber optics and LEDs but not any clear / translucent parts.

What kind of special FX are needed? I can make LEDs blink just about any way you can imagine.

Thanks!

Redshirt 5 · Post by **Redshirt 5** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 12:10 pm

John, give me a few days to put together an email for you with lots of details for you.

Tim

Kylwell · Post by **Kylwell** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 12:30 pm

I just ordered some LEDs from them (sorry John). Fellow CoMMiES have spoken highly of them and they offer pico sized LEDs pre-wired.

Richard Baker · Post by **Richard Baker** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 2:43 pm

Madman Lighting wrote:OK, now I can't just sit here ignoring an opportunity like this....!

Just exactly what does a Spindrift need for lighting? I can offer the electronics, wires, fiber optics and LEDs but not any clear / translucent parts.

What kind of special FX are needed? I can make LEDs blink just about any way you can imagine.

Thanks!

I think he was asking about lighting the Spinner from Blade Runner, not the Spindrift from Land of the Giants...

The Spinner kit has been built up several times, some great lighting setups as well. Biggest trouble is getting the LEDs and wires into the roof mars-lights, you have to carve the housings and use magnet wire IIRC...

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 3:48 pm

It can be done with SMT's. The center peg has to be cut/Dremeled out. This is how I did mine.

http://i.imgur.com/FbsH4Dq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/id8fjf4.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/FJKOZIF.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/xCFPhj9.jpg

Lights are powered by a custom programmed Fusion Core board.

http://i.imgur.com/tX16hU4.jpg

Madman Lighting · Post by **Madman Lighting** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 6:01 pm

OK, that might be a bit too teeny for my kits. Sounds like you have to practically hand-fit the parts into each nook and cranny to make it work.

I would have a hard time offering SMT LED parts pre-wired... I think my wife would kill me if I asked her to start doing it!

No matter, I've got something pretty cool in the pipeline... stay tuned!

jikdoc · Post by **jikdoc** » Wed Mar 18, 2015 8:03 pm

i've ordered from Evan's a few times, got the 1701D kit with AGT mod, as well as the pegasus lighting kit. he's a great guy and really works to get you what you want and he always manages to throw some extra bits as well. Evan's seems to work closely with TenaControls for some really nice lighting effects.
i've ordered from Madman as well, both are great vendors, can't say enough about both Justin (Evans) and John.

Redshirt 5 · Post by **Redshirt 5** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:46 am

For most folks, I don't think it would be practice to get every light in place on the relatively tiny spinner. I'm thinking the flashing roof lights, plus something the the interior, the forward wheel covers, and the big headlight out front. Might have to make some sacrifices for accuracy for the roof rack assembly to accommodate the leads. Not sure about the underside lighting...

Robison...fantastic build...I wish I had your electronics skills...

Tim

Redshirt 5 · Post by **Redshirt 5** » Thu Mar 19, 2015 8:48 am

jikdoc wrote:i've ordered from Evan's a few times, got the 1701D kit with AGT mod, as well as the pegasus lighting kit. he's a great guym really works to get you what you want and he always manages to throw some extra bits as well. Evan's seems to work closely with TenaControls for some really nice lighting effects.
i've ordered from Madman as well, both are great vendors, can't say enough about both Justin (Evans) and John.

Thanks, jikdoc. I've purchased several times from Madman and love the simplicity of john's kits.

- tim

Madman Lighting · Post by **Madman Lighting** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 1:32 pm

Redshirt.... Thanks!

I checked out your site and it seems you've been my customer for quite a while now, your "Bad Penny" Starfury has one of my early kits in it. Thanks!

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:10 pm

Thanks Redshirt 5! After I finish a few projects I hope to get back and finish the Spinner.

Redshirt 5 · Post by **Redshirt 5** » Sun Mar 22, 2015 3:49 pm

Madman Lighting wrote:Redshirt.... Thanks!

I checked out your site and it seems you've been my customer for quite a while now, your "Bad Penny" Starfury has one of my early kits in it. Thanks!

Yes, your Starfury lighting kit was my first attempt at lighting with LEDs, and your kit made it completely painless! I have a few more of your kits ready to go with some of my other in progress builds...I'll get around to them eventually

- Tim

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