Search found 368 matches

by en'til Zog
Fri Nov 30, 2012 8:57 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: How to get started with lighting
Replies: 2
Views: 4900

I'd suggest that you start with something simple, like putting a few LEDs in a simple model. Headlights in a 1/24th scale snap car kit would be good. Simple construction, saving the "work" part of the project for stuffing in a couple of white LEDs. Or working tail lights, just to keep the ...
by en'til Zog
Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:26 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Building Questions....Any ideas would be appreciated.
Replies: 17
Views: 18220

For an antenna spinner you migt try this very small gearhead motor from the electronic goldmine. I have found them to be quick, reliable, and honest.

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/p ... ber=G16300
by en'til Zog
Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:56 am
Forum: Scratchbuilding
Topic: Conductors punches
Replies: 1
Views: 6225

Cool! Tanks. :D
by en'til Zog
Mon Jul 30, 2012 3:04 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Resistor question
Replies: 5
Views: 6531

Hi. Chiver's got it. Keep it simple. If you have room, aim the LED away from the panel, and bounce the light off a white surfaced reflector back at the panel. That should diffuse the light, eliminating a possible hot spot. You can drill holes in the panel itself & insert short pieces of FO throu...
by en'til Zog
Sun Jul 29, 2012 12:02 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Resistor question
Replies: 5
Views: 6531

I've used heat shrink tubing on FO for years with no ill effects. It's the usual method for grouping FO to LEDs. Just be gentle when heating the heat shrink. A heat gun used sparingly works well. I just hold the heat shrink over my (plugged in) low wattage soldering pencil and let the heat rising up...
by en'til Zog
Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:43 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Will an 8-hole AA battery pack work with only six batteries?
Replies: 14
Views: 13791

Hi, again

3 x 1.2 V = 3.6 V, if you use rechargable batteries.

Just say'in is all.
by en'til Zog
Wed Jun 27, 2012 2:23 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: How to combine lighting with portability?
Replies: 27
Views: 24676

Edge lighting instrument panels that way goes back at least to World War II instrument panels. Look for old (old, old) military surplus stuff for samples.
by en'til Zog
Thu Jun 14, 2012 12:58 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Need help upgrading power source
Replies: 20
Views: 16930

YAYAY! Way to go Scott!

Good Luck skorpiyun!
by en'til Zog
Sun Jun 10, 2012 8:10 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Best way to mask lights
Replies: 10
Views: 9157

Liquid maskers seem to be mostly liquid latex.

I've also successfully used plain white glue, painted on and allowed to dry.
by en'til Zog
Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:00 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Need help upgrading power source
Replies: 20
Views: 16930

I'd like to suggest using a 9 volt REGULATED wall wart only. UN-regulated power supplies put out a lot more than their "rated" voltage if they are not being run at close to their max rated amperage. Regulated supplies are forced to put out only their rated voltage no matter how much ampera...
by en'til Zog
Sun Apr 08, 2012 6:39 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Is this a good thing or a bad thing.
Replies: 6
Views: 8548

Simple, but should work well.
by en'til Zog
Sat Mar 24, 2012 12:30 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: A reverse LED chaser circuit
Replies: 15
Views: 16907

:)
by en'til Zog
Sat Mar 24, 2012 3:49 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: A reverse LED chaser circuit
Replies: 15
Views: 16907

CMOS outputs can SOURCE or SINK current relative to each other. Since I often connect things between outputs that's how I often think of CMOS connections. One valid way of thinking about using electronics. I appreciate your way of thinking about electronics. Over to you. I can now retire after teach...
by en'til Zog
Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:22 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: A reverse LED chaser circuit
Replies: 15
Views: 16907

For me - the way I see things - the outputs effectively go POSITIVE and NEGATIVE. Your explanation is accurate, if a bit over complicated. I think we both mean effectively the same thing. I've been doing this so loing it seemed "obvious" to me that if you reversed the LEDs you changed the ...
by en'til Zog
Wed Mar 21, 2012 10:41 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: A reverse LED chaser circuit
Replies: 15
Views: 16907

If you can make a chaser with a 4017 chip - reverse the connections on the LEDs. Outputs on a CMOS chip like the 4017 go POSITIVE and then NEGATIVE. So connecting the LEDs "backward" gives you a moving Dark spot rather than a moving Lighted spot. Don't forget to connect the common connecti...
by en'til Zog
Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:17 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: How to go about adding extra greebles/chips to your models?
Replies: 9
Views: 11904

Plasticard = Evergreen sheet

At least for us in the Colonies. :D
by en'til Zog
Fri Feb 17, 2012 11:52 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Can a reticle be put on an LED camera screen?
Replies: 12
Views: 11956

How about using a cheap key chain sized flat screen digital photo "picture frame"? Or maybe not so key-chain size. Make all your reticles and data displays in your handy full sized computer, then down load 'em into the "picture frame". Use any fonts you like - use a global font c...
by en'til Zog
Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:53 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: How to go about adding extra greebles/chips to your models?
Replies: 9
Views: 11904

Another source of detail bits (or "model mulch") is chopped up Evergreen styrene shapes. Simply take some styrene strip and carefully chop it into small uniform segments and then use them to indicate hatches, vents, or "stuff". Who knows what those bits and bobs on real vehiicles...
by en'til Zog
Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:34 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: White, Blue, Red leds on one circuit.
Replies: 7
Views: 9218

YAYAYAY!
by en'til Zog
Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:01 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: On/Off button + Toggle wiring question
Replies: 7
Views: 11595

SPDT switches should work well. I just like a DPDT switch so I can switch POSITIVE and NEGATIVE at the same time. They give me more options if I change my ideas.

They also make good reversing switches.

Stocking the DPDT keeps down the number of bits I have to keep around.

Good luck!
by en'til Zog
Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:56 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: On/Off button + Toggle wiring question
Replies: 7
Views: 11595

Most suppliers sell "push-ON push-OFF" button switches. NOT "momentary" types. For the toggle switch, try a "double pole double throw center OFF switch" or "DPDT center OFF" type. If you don't need the switch to cut power in the middle position leave off the &...
by en'til Zog
Mon Feb 06, 2012 9:45 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: What are some useful bits to start with?
Replies: 10
Views: 12948

I'd like to add: Fine point needle nose pliers, for handling little parts & bending wires. Both smooth jaw & "grabby" types. A fine wire cutter or "diagonal cutter" or "dyke". A simple "wire wrap" tool and several different colors of rolls of 30 gauge ...
by en'til Zog
Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:36 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: grain of wheat vs led
Replies: 5
Views: 5990

NEVER use Grain 'O Wheat bulbs when you can sanely use LEDs. Or "Grain 'O HEAT" bulbs to be precise. GoW bulbs burn out easily, and often. On the other hand, I have sitting on my computer some LED displqays that have been ON and blinking for 35 YEARS straight so far. And LED life ratings a...
by en'til Zog
Wed Feb 01, 2012 12:02 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: White, Blue, Red leds on one circuit.
Replies: 7
Views: 9218

All 20 mA, yes. But probably different voltages.

At least the RED LEDs are probably 2.4 VOLT, while the BLUE and WHITE ones are probably 3.4 VOLT. That will affect your resistor selection.
by en'til Zog
Sun Jan 29, 2012 2:23 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: how to make fake laser beams?
Replies: 9
Views: 11126

Google "fluorescent plastic rod" and you should get lots of suppliers. Then try a UV light to illuminate the rods.

(Remember to use the quotes.)
by en'til Zog
Fri Jan 27, 2012 12:14 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Options for lighting connections to pedestals -or not - etc
Replies: 4
Views: 7062

Dude!

Try this thread to start with. then ask questions.

http://www.starshipmodeler.net/talk/vie ... hp?t=38927
by en'til Zog
Tue Jan 24, 2012 12:29 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: EL Tape Question
Replies: 5
Views: 6327

Dude, EL strip needs high voltage (around 100+ volts) to work. An inverter isn't just a good idea: it's the la... a necessity.

Sadly.

And EL stuff is rather dim compared to LEDs and short lived, from my experience.
by en'til Zog
Mon Jan 16, 2012 3:28 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Advice on making sound-activated lighting circuit
Replies: 7
Views: 12147

Try looking at a Ramsey Electronics catalog. They have several kits to make light control devices, some operate from sound, others from an electronic signal. www.ramseyelectronics for internewt LED sound to light controller - uses battery power Music lights controller - 110 AC BIG unit, lots ‘o powe...
by en'til Zog
Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:29 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Warm White LED Question
Replies: 8
Views: 11055

Good work, Chris.

Keep on keeping on.
by en'til Zog
Sun Dec 25, 2011 2:24 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: "Strobe effect" from a 4060 timer
Replies: 14
Views: 15194

Even so, you does good work Sparkster!

Huzzah! :D