Let there be light!!!

[Darren B]

Just an idea on lighting up models...

[BigTallDad]

Here's one I did before LEDs became sophisticated.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/102446-my-55-chevy/

[peteski]

Here's mine (done in the '90s, using a mix of bulbs and early SMD LEDs).

Few more photos at http://classicplastic.org/pete-pb.html

[Darren B]

Both of those builds are killer and love all the work done to them. Awesome.

[peteski]

Thanks Darren!  I actually wrote an article on my build (back in the '90s) but it never got published.  One of these days I might revisit the subject and post the build details online.

[89AKurt]

I was checking out some junk mail, car dealer promotion with a light fob that showed you got the winning number (yea right).  I pulled the unit apart, it's just one LED light, but am contemplating the use of fiber optic that came from a party accessory.

Nevertheless, will keep an eye on this topic.

[Darren B]

On 9/16/2018 at 10:01 PM, peteski said:

Thanks Darren!  I actually wrote an article on my build (back in the '90s) but it never got published.  One of these days I might revisit the subject and post the build details online.

I would love to see that.

[Darren B]

On 9/16/2018 at 10:07 PM, 89AKurt said:

I was checking out some junk mail, car dealer promotion with a light fob that showed you got the winning number (yea right).  I pulled the unit apart, it's just one LED light, but am contemplating the use of fiber optic that came from a party accessory.

Nevertheless, will keep an eye on this topic.

Are you serious? Not to long ago I chucked one of those ads with the fob. Now I will for ever keep that Larry H. Miller does it all the time...... Thank you  for sharing will be looking at the fob possibility next time one comes along.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Darren B

[89AKurt]

4 hours ago, Darren B said:

Are you serious? Not to long ago I chucked one of those ads with the fob. Now I will for ever keep that Larry H. Miller does it all the time...... Thank you  for sharing will be looking at the fob possibility next time one comes along.

Serious as a heart attack!  I have 3.  They do come in different colors, wish white was one.

[peteski]

On 9/19/2018 at 10:40 PM, 89AKurt said:

Serious as a heart attack!  I have 3.  They do come in different colors, wish white was one.

If you want to use the original circuit, just with a white LED, you can easily substitute the green or blue ones for white.  There are thousands of cheap LEDs available on eBay, in many sizes and colors.  Your LEDs look like T-1 (3mm diameter) size.  I also assume that you want the "warm white" LED to simulate incandescent lamp headlights.  Just go to eBay and search for "3mm warm white LED" and you'll find lots of choices.  Here is one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253322701558

[89AKurt]

57 minutes ago, peteski said:

...  Your LEDs look like T-1 (3mm diameter) size.  ...  Here is one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/253322701558

Those freebies are molded square.  I'm not electronic savvy, those eBay ones only need the tiny batteries?

[peteski]

4 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

Those freebies are molded square.  I'm not electronic savvy, those eBay ones only need the tiny batteries?

Looks like there are 3 small button-size batteries there?  Yes, those LEDs will work directly with those batteries.  I would add a 100 or 200 ohm resistor in series to limit the current,  but since these small batteries cannot provide much current to begin with, they will self-regulate.

As for the LED shape, you can file the clear resin LED case to any shape you need, as long as you don't get too close to the internal parts.  Or you can buy much smaller LEDs (smallest available LED has a footprint of 0.020" x 0.010"). That is smaller than a head of a pin.

If you are not into electronics and want ready-to-use lighting kits, check out https://lights4models.com/ .  These are not for free, but they work well.  Select Vehicle or Vehicle Modern (or any other types you like) on the left side of the Web page.

Edited September 24, 2018 by peteski

[Deuces]

Dollar stores near you also carry those LED gagets (sp) in some form or another.... They can be taken apart and use the internals for modeling... And they're cheap! ?

[wisdonm]

Those  dollar store LEDs are rectangular and work good for rectangular headlights of the '80's and side marker lights. For round headlights look for Christmas lights.

Back in 2008 I wrote " I had purchased some LED X-mas replacement lights months ago, but hadn't looked at them since. That was the first time that I saw replacement Xmas LED bulbs for sale. I found them at Menards, a home improvement center owned by NASCAR driver Paul Menard's billionaire father. They come in 3-packs. All white, all red, all blue, and a green/orange/and yellow combo. They are about 5mm across. Best of all they are only $1.19 per 3-pack. They are rated 2V for red and 3.4 V for white. All the colors say "0.02 amps max"." Best of all they come in both dome and flat  ends.

I wrote two detailed threads about  using these LEDs.

Mach 5 with working lights

Advanced LED lights and 4060 computer chips

Looks like I have to replace the pixs.

 

Edited September 26, 2018 by wisdonm

[Deuces]

Thank you sir for the info..... ?

 

[Darren B]

1 hour ago, Deuces said:

Thank you sir for the info..... ?

 

Yes thank you for the info. very very helpful.