Newb

[lambda_epsilon]

Hey guys, first post here. Names Aaron; used to be into the whole modeling thing a few years back. Starting to grow interested again but would like to include some lighting effects. I really want to use leds but have 0 experience with the things and really dont have any electronics background. Just wondering where i should start, reading material and such. I'm a quick learner and love to set my mind to things. Just need to know where to start. Any suggestions would be awesome. I think for my first lighting kit i'm going to do is the Kazon torpedo i got in my stash. It should only require a couple leds and simple on/off switch to get the thing up and runnin. Figured this would be good one to just wet my appetite. Thanks in advance guys!

[Slide]

uh, to light all the windows with no fibre-optics will likely take more than 'a couple of LEDs'... but i havn't even seen one of those in 4 years... so i'm affraid i can't be of much more help then expect it to take 6 or 7 if you're jut using them as spotlights shining through the windows

[lambda_epsilon]

Eh, basically all there is to it as far as i can tell from the episode (only good reference i've found so far, if you can call it good) is a couple spot lights on the side of the ship shining forward. And the engine pods on the back. Can't remember if there were 4 engine pods off hand or 6. Either way it'll be a simple setup. No blinkers or anything like that and figured just a simple on off switch, maybe a choice between full power and stand-by modes.

[en'til Zog]

I just pickled up a KT at the last model contest - actually a nice model. Two engines at the back, and a few marker lights.

I suggest you read the "Announcement: LEDs & Other Low voltage, Low power lighting" for starters. Then pick up a few LEDs from one of the suggested sources in "Announcement: Where to order components online?", add a few resistors and 9 volt battery connectors and play with them.

You might want to get an "experimenters bread board" for $5 or so to make things easier.

Model ON!

[lambda_epsilon]

Yeah, was thinkin about just pickin some up and playin around... read through a qwiky DIY on leds and slowly starting to grasp the bare minimum basics i think. At least its making a bit o sence in my head. I'm much better with things in my hands though.

[lambda_epsilon]

So i just pulled this thing outa the box and started lookin at it... Gosh there's alot more to this thing than i thought. Leds alone aren't going to cut it. The models way to small, i'm going to have to use fiber optics to get the light where i want it to go. Which is ok, that will actually cut down on the amount of leds i'll have to use. I'm thinking if they'll fit (not sure they will) two leds for the main engine pods, another to power optics for the 4 Ion vents, and lastly one to power the optics for the two side spot lights. So 4 in all, possibly just two or three if leds end up being to big for the engine pods. Cant get much simpler than that!

[lambda_epsilon]

Starting to look around for some stuff to play with. Does viewing angle matter much in lighting models? I would assume you'd want a bright flood like led for larger models if your trying to flood the inside with light. What about for nav markers and such? Should you get more of a spot led say 15* or does it not really matter since we're just seeing the tip of the thing anyway...???

[robiwon]

If your going to use fiber optics to light the windows then viewing angle wont be much of a concern. If your going to do interior flood lighting I would try to use as many LEDs as possible and mount them as close as possible to your windows. If you flood with a few in the center of the hull you will see very little light if you not looking directly into the windows. This is one of the great things about lighting kits with LEDs is that you can change things by adding LEDs and positions cheaply. Here is a shot of my Klingon Bird of Prey with flood lights behind the windows.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/ ... C00336.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/ ... C00358.jpg

And an example of fiber optic work on my 89 Keaton Batmobile.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/ ... G_9676.jpg

[DLMatthys]

I did find some 5mm T-1 3/4 White LEDs with a wider viewing angle of 70 degree rather than the regular 20 or 30 degree. I found this better suited for flooding light within the model starships interior. I may cut down the numbers of LEDs needed inside it for effective lighting.

3,6 volts, 30ma current draw. I purchased 25 of them for $.88 cents each. They are really quick at on-line ordering and shipping.

http://www.ledsupply.com/l1-0-w5th70-1.php

[USS Atlantis]

I did find some 5mm T-1 3/4 White LEDs with a wider viewing angle of 70 degree rather than the regular 20 or 30 degree. I found this better suited for flooding light within the model starships interior. I may cut down the numbers of LEDs needed inside it for effective lighting.

3,6 volts, 30ma current draw. I purchased 25 of them for $.88 cents each. They are really quick at on-line ordering and shipping.

http://www.ledsupply.com/l1-0-w5th70-1.php

Don, Don, Don

Haven't I taught you yet?

5mm Flat Top White LEDs
1520mcd MAX (clear water)
100° Viewing angle
3.5v-4.0v @ 20ma

These are the one's I get from http://www.unique-leds.com/index.php at .30 a pop for orders of 10 or more - ordered my last batch Monday, came in yesterday standard USPS - they do have 2 day delivery available.

Atlantis

[lambda_epsilon]

lol, thanks guys... you all have been a great help. Just picked up a little elsectronics discovery kit my bro had layin around from school. Got a bunch a good stuff in there so lookin forward to playin around with that...
Thanks again! ooh, ran across this too... http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores ... yId=205010
$31.59 for kit of resistors... comes with a nice little cabinet. and an assortment of 540 resistors! Sounds like a decent price to me... especially considering i need a little organizer like that...