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Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets
https://joecustoms.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=37517
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Author:  Joeczar [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 11:15 am ]
Post subject:  Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

I have been using LEDs to light up vehicles and playsets, and I wanted to share with everyone just how easy it is.

This is the 12" dio piece I did for Joecon a couple of weeks ago:

Image

And without the figures

Image

The dio itself was easy to throw together, but I wanted it to stand out a little more, so I added some LEDs to punch it up and grab attention. The best place I have found to get LEDs is http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledlights1.html they have a great selection of colors, sizes, and flashing speed, and they are also cheap and ship fast, I get most of my orders within 2 days. In addition to the LEDs you need to get a switch; I use the 9v battery ones. Wiring is a snap, and you can get hours of use from a single battery. At Joecon I was able to run all three lights running all three days on a single battery.

Here's a back view of the minimal wiring that was done:

Image

In addition to this piece I have also been able to install LEDs into a SNAKE armor (I'll have pics as soon as I find the SNAKE's legs! doh!), so they would be ideal for vehicles. The light coming off the LEDs is bright and strong, and will make your project stand out. If you have any questions, please post them here or pm me!

Now light those customs up!

Author:  nova [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

I used a "Welding Kit" from that site for my Malfunctioning BAT: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=30901&hilit=+Malfunction

Author:  DarkJedi [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

I just see the same pic from the test post...

Author:  pluv [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

DarkJedi wrote:
I just see the same pic from the test post...
You don't see the first two up top?

What JoeCzar forgot to mention is that the light up control on the right side of the door is a 3 3/4" figure stand with the peg sanded down. And the red light up top is coming through a Mass Device element tube base. Pretty ingenious use of kibble.

Author:  DarkJedi [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

pluv wrote:
You don't see the first two up top?



Nope...
Attachment:
no image.PNG
no image.PNG [ 127.55 KiB | Viewed 993 times ]


That's with refreshing, reloading, opening a new tab, etc...

Author:  Dusty79 [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 2:35 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

I can't see the top two images either

Author:  Matthew [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

I see them

Author:  Joeczar [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 3:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

They should be there now.

Author:  Dusty79 [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

Joeczar wrote:
They should be there now.


Yes they are. Thanks.

Author:  Outback [ Fri Apr 19, 2013 10:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

For what it's worth, I've used LED mini light sets found in Christmas or other holiday departments on some of my vehicles. These "canned" systems are quick and cheap, and save any messing with resistors, soldering, or other possible headaches.

Author:  sgcaper [ Sun Apr 21, 2013 12:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

I've ordered from that site for a while now. Love adding LEDs to vehicles. 9v is my battery choice too just cause I can run up to 8 lights on it. I have a tank project I finished with added LEDs I need to snap pics of and I have a third using LEDs.

Thing I'm looking for is light "lenses" in Joe scale. Especially interested in rally car lenses and covers if anyone has any tips or tricks on where to get them or how to make them...

Author:  drbindy [ Sun Apr 21, 2013 9:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

Joeczar wrote:
I have been using LEDs to light up vehicles and playsets, and I wanted to share with everyone just how easy it is.

This is the 12" dio piece I did for Joecon a couple of weeks ago:

Image

And without the figures

Image

The dio itself was easy to throw together, but I wanted it to stand out a little more, so I added some LEDs to punch it up and grab attention. The best place I have found to get LEDs is http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledlights1.html they have a great selection of colors, sizes, and flashing speed, and they are also cheap and ship fast, I get most of my orders within 2 days. In addition to the LEDs you need to get a switch; I use the 9v battery ones. Wiring is a snap, and you can get hours of use from a single battery. At Joecon I was able to run all three lights running all three days on a single battery.

Here's a back view of the minimal wiring that was done:

Image

In addition to this piece I have also been able to install LEDs into a SNAKE armor (I'll have pics as soon as I find the SNAKE's legs! doh!), so they would be ideal for vehicles. The light coming off the LEDs is bright and strong, and will make your project stand out. If you have any questions, please post them here or pm me!

Now light those customs up!


Do you get the switches from the same site?

Do the wires come with either the LEDs or the switches?

Can I order everything I need from that one source (except for the battery perhaps)?

are you making light "fixtures" that the LEDs illuminate, or are those inclusive of each style you buy?

Is the hook up as simple as insert a wire (or wrap around a connector) here and there, or is there soldering involved? I know you can probably go as complex as you want, but my questions are based on just how simple can this be? I want to incorporate these, as I'm getting into some dios now. But I want it to be absolutely easy, as I don't feel like I have time to learn a new skill set right now.

And I'm sorry of some of these are self explanatory or can deduced from browsing that online catalogue - I'm just wanting my hand held I suppose :)

Author:  roguetiger [ Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

Dr. Bindy don't forget to check out viewtopic.php?f=15&t=37534 for another idea OTHER than the wires...........:shifty:

Author:  nova [ Mon Apr 22, 2013 10:48 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

drbindy wrote:
Do you get the switches from the same site?

Do the wires come with either the LEDs or the switches?

Can I order everything I need from that one source (except for the battery perhaps)?

are you making light "fixtures" that the LEDs illuminate, or are those inclusive of each style you buy?

Is the hook up as simple as insert a wire (or wrap around a connector) here and there, or is there soldering involved? I know you can probably go as complex as you want, but my questions are based on just how simple can this be? I want to incorporate these, as I'm getting into some dios now. But I want it to be absolutely easy, as I don't feel like I have time to learn a new skill set right now.

And I'm sorry of some of these are self explanatory or can deduced from browsing that online catalogue - I'm just wanting my hand held I suppose :)


Answers to Your questions:

Yes,
Both (wires are already soldered to the switches and LEDs)
Yes
LEDs have a clear or frosted "bulb/lens", in this dio it seems Joeczar did make custom housings for the LEDs....(Were you around for the Sigma 6 blinking lights? those were pretty much bare LEDs)
Yes... Everything comes with wires already attached... all you have to do is twist like colored wires together..Red to Red, Black to Black...I forget which color goes to Positive and which to Negative on the Battery, but there's paperwork included that tells you which is which. You could solder your connections for added security...but it's not necessary.
You missed your chance for your hand (or more) to be held by Skipping Joecon...your loss.

Author:  Hulk Hogan [ Mon Apr 22, 2013 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Using LEDs to light up vehicles & playsets

Hmm this has me intrigued...

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