Wilson & Fisher color changing light sets

[Redfern]

I half searched /half stumbled across a neat, low cost light set that can, in theory, be applied to numerous illumination projects (within reason). It's called, per the subject header, the "Wilson & Fisher color changing LED light set" and seems to be distributed through "Big Lots", a US based "over-stock" department store.

It essentially a power pack (consisting of 3 AA batteries) wired to a "chain" of 10 randomly flashing, color changing LEDs. Cost, 10 bucks. I believe these are the type of LEDs used...

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/p ... ber=G13897

By themselves, they cost 2 bucks, so with this set one is buying them at half price and fully wired.

Now the "bad news". The sets I found have the LEDs embedded within clear acrylic "bugs", either butterflies or dragonflies. I bought a set anyway to see if I might hopefully extract the LEDs from the plastic insects. No such luck. They feel as though they are thoroughly glued. I worked with the last element in the "chain" carefully using needle-nosed pliers, but all I did was to "chip" the edge of the LED. Thankfully, I did not "short" it.

Do any of you more knowledgable ladies and gents have a possible solution for safely removing the LEDs, possibly a "solvent" of some sort? Better yet, do any of you know of an equivalent illumination set that doesn't have decorative "what-nots" glued to the LEDs? (That was what I really hoped to find. I swear I've seen something like that somewhere, but Google searches have come up "goose eggs".)

I could, of course, cut away the bulk of the dragonflies, but I'd still end up with large "buttons" of plastic better suited for illuminating a "classic" Trek control board or console. Great solution if that is what someone needs, but rather "out of scale" if one desires to light a ship miniature, say, a "flying saucer" of some sort.

Any thoughts, guys?

Sincerely,

Bill

[en'til Zog]

Hi, Redfern!

Colour change LEDs are kind of expensive at the moment, but the chain of LEDs in bugs sounds like a good set at a good price. Except for that whole "Embedded in bugs" thing.

I'd just buy a few colour change LEDs to start with, although I'd probably start with this set from the Goldmine:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/p ... ber=G17185

I've found other "deals" with CC-LEDs in decorative thingies, but digging them out....

Have you checked with Superbright LEDs? Or ALL electronics ( www.allelectronics.com ) or JAMECO ( www.jameco.com )?

Good luck!