Lighting a display box for a model

[OldNYJim]

So, I had an idea for a little display with a model inside a plastic case - something like the pic attached (excuse my poor technical drawing skills ?).

It would probably be similar size to a regular kit box I guess - but I’d like to build something into the top part of the box to light the model nice and bright.

I’m a pretty competent solderer so rigging up some LEDs to a little battery pack doesn’t worry me too much - but I’d be interested if anyone knows of any suppliers who sell something ready-to-use along the lines of what I’m thinking.  Does anyone have any experience with this kind of project?

i did a search of the forum and found some useful info about lighting kits for particular models but not so much about lighting a display case like this...

 

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Google "battery powered LED under-cabinet". Hundreds.

Edited September 3, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's a nice selection...https://www.lampsplus.com/products/under-cabinet-lights/type_battery-operated/

[OldNYJim]

You know how sometimes a solution is so simple that you don’t even think of it?  I guess this was one of those.

I looked up LEDs for model lighting, lighting kits for sci-fi models, lighting kits for RC stuff...I absolutely should’ve just thought about under-cabinet lighting like these.  Brilliant, thank you Ace!  

Embarassadly yours,

Jim ?

[espo]

I'm not an expert in this area, but. I have seen very small lights on what looks like nothing thicker than a strip of masking tape. I would mount this inside the top or cover near the front edge and hide this from view with some sort of black out treatment also on the inside of the cover to hide it from view. This way the light would shine toward the viewers side of the display model.  The batteries could be hidden under the display floor.    

[peteski]

  On 9/4/2019 at 1:47 PM, espo said:

I'm not an expert in this area, but. I have seen very small lights on what looks like nothing thicker than a strip of masking tape. I would mount this inside the top or cover near the front edge and hide this from view with some sort of black out treatment also on the inside of the cover to hide it from view. This way the light would shine toward the viewers side of the display model.  The batteries could be hidden under the display floor.    

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Yes, LED strip lights. Micro Mark sells them, but a huge variety is available on eBay and Amazon, much cheaper.  Many come with a wall-wart power supply. I used those in my photo tent.

 

Edited September 5, 2019 by peteski

[89AKurt]

Good thing you started this topic!  Bill helped a bunch, I looked further into the tape lights, bookmarked.  Once you get them, should test in various size cardboard boxes.  I'm betting that if the box is too small, the lights would drown/flood the car and be too much glare.

I'm posting this shadowbox diorama, last century there was an artist in Prescott who was famous for these, Bob Hope had some.  He had to do with the incandescent tube light bulbs behind the blue shield at the top, which I assume washed down the sky background nicely.  Hope this helps.

[espo]

  On 9/5/2019 at 6:44 AM, 89AKurt said:

Good thing you started this topic!  Bill helped a bunch, I looked further into the tape lights, bookmarked.  Once you get them, should test in various size cardboard boxes.  I'm betting that if the box is too small, the lights would drown/flood the car and be too much glare.

I'm posting this shadowbox diorama, last century there was an artist in Prescott who was famous for these, Bob Hope had some.  He had to do with the incandescent tube light bulbs behind the blue shield at the top, which I assume washed down the sky background nicely.  Hope this helps.

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Beautiful looking shadow box. This person is  a great artist. The background looks somewhat like a painting and the animals and plants in the foreground look like a diorama.   

[SfanGoch]

Consider EL tape. Mount it around the upper inner perimeter of the display case.

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 9/6/2019 at 2:44 AM, SfanGoch said:

Consider EL tape...

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That's just freakin' cool. I didn't know that existed. Guess I'm a little behind the curve on some things...

Edited September 6, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy

[SfanGoch]

EL panels, tape and wire emit almost zero heat. For certain hobby applications, like sci-fi spacecraft, it can't be beat. I'm going to use EL panels and tape in my Moebius Jupiter 2 kits.

[89AKurt]

  On 9/6/2019 at 3:05 AM, Ace-Garageguy said:

That's just freakin' cool. I didn't know that existed. Guess I'm a little behind the curve on some things...

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? No way! ?  Me too, I bookmarked this!

  On 9/6/2019 at 1:06 AM, espo said:

Beautiful looking shadow box. This person is*  a great artist. The background looks somewhat like a painting and the animals and plants in the foreground look like a diorama.   

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Was*, I have a friend, when he was growing up in Prescott, saw his shop.  I would need to learn how to paint, and he carved the animals from wood.  I do a better job on vegetation, he just cut paper.
http://www.askart.com/artist/Runar_Rodell/129956/Runar_Rodell.aspx

[OldNYJim]

So many cool ideas - thanks everyone!  

[peteski]

  On 9/6/2019 at 2:44 AM, SfanGoch said:

Consider EL tape. Mount it around the upper inner perimeter of the display case.

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I wouldn't use it, and don't recommend it.  Compared to white LEDs, it has much shorter usable life, it is nowhere as bright as LEDs, and it requires high voltage (the last point is not really bad, but I rather deal with 5 or 12V than 100V AC).  LED strips also run quite cool (unlike the old incandescent rope lights).

Electroluminescent material was all the rage in the late '80s and '90s (before white LEDs became widely available). I used it back then,and it was good at that time,  but I'll never go that route again.

That is not to say that it is totally useless. Far from it.  If one needs a thin and very evenly illuminated area, which doesn't need to be very bright, the EL material is perfect.  Like Joe said, perfect for some ScFi models.  But I just wouldn't use for illuminating a display case, where I would want a brighter light source.

Edited September 9, 2019 by peteski

[OldNYJim]

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone!  I really liked the sound of the EL tape, even factoring in Peter's concerns above so i ordered three feet on eBay for the grand sum of $3   I'll post back how it looks when I get it...if it's good enough for what I need it'll work GREAT...lets hope it does the trick! 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Glow-Light-El-Wire-String-Strip-Rope-Car-Dance-Party-USB-With-Controller-3V/113868498946?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=414130484931&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

[carrucha]

Glad you brought up this topic.  I was thinking of doing the same thing with a display case.  Please post pictures when it is completed.

[oldcarfan]

A couple years ago Lowe's was selling tiny LED light strings to light up those little village displays. They looked like they could work in model cars and such as well.

[SfanGoch]

  On 9/17/2019 at 1:26 PM, CabDriver said:

Thanks for all the great ideas everyone!  I really liked the sound of the EL tape, even factoring in Peter's concerns above so i ordered three feet on eBay for the grand sum of $3   I'll post back how it looks when I get it...if it's good enough for what I need it'll work GREAT...lets hope it does the trick! 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/LED-Glow-Light-El-Wire-String-Strip-Rope-Car-Dance-Party-USB-With-Controller-3V/113868498946?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=414130484931&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

 

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That is EL wire, not EL tape. Nonetheless, it'll work.

[OldNYJim]

Oh yeah - it was right there in the link I posted ?

 

[SfanGoch]

Go over to L&B  Spumoni Gardens and grab a couple Sicilian slices. You'll be O.K.

[OldNYJim]

  On 9/21/2019 at 8:56 PM, SfanGoch said:

Go over to L&B  Spumoni Gardens and grab a couple Sicilian slices. You'll be O.K.

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Since you suggested that place I’ve been a few times - helpfully it’s within staggering distance of the one ‘proper’ bar I’ve managed to find in Bensonhurst ?

They make a great slice, it’s true!

[SfanGoch]

you can always check out Margarita Island, on Bowery & W.12th St. and Ruby's Bar & Grill on the Boardwalk, all in Coney Island. both are great joints and close at 2 A.M. There's also Freak Bar on Surf & W.12th , a short walk up from the other two.

[OldNYJim]

  On 9/27/2019 at 2:30 AM, SfanGoch said:

you can always check out Margarita Island, on Bowery & W.12th St. and Ruby's Bar & Grill on the Boardwalk, all in Coney Island. both are great joints and close at 2 A.M. There's also Freak Bar on Surf & W.12th , a short walk up from the other two.

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I know we’re getting off topic here...but good tip on Ruby’s!  Had a nice meal and a couple of drinks at the bar today!  
 

Freak bar was closed for a private event - will try that another day!