Search found 142 matches

by Tchail
Wed May 07, 2014 6:54 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: A new big flat white LED!
Replies: 35
Views: 69696

Thanks for this!

It looks like a better alternative for lighting the Enterprise-D's nacelles than using EL sheet.
by Tchail
Tue Apr 15, 2014 11:29 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: lighting help needed
Replies: 6
Views: 23711

With a 9V battery, you can string together three white/blue LEDs without needing a resistor.

9V / 3V per LED = 3 LEDs.
by Tchail
Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:24 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: I need to duplicate an LED
Replies: 14
Views: 22683

As for switches available at Radio Shack, you might want to check out this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... Value=SPST

It's been awhile since I've been in there, so I don't know for sure...
by Tchail
Sun Mar 30, 2014 9:21 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: I need to duplicate an LED
Replies: 14
Views: 22683

It's hard to tell from the picture, but it looks like a 3mm yellow LED, which should be about 2.2V.

What's the number stamped onto the coin cell battery? It may not be as hard to find as you think.

BTW - No inline pictures are allowed on the board, only links.
by Tchail
Wed Mar 19, 2014 2:26 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: 9 or 12 volts
Replies: 8
Views: 14541

I've actually be migrating towards 3v, unless there is some sort of circuit that needs to be driven.

3v allows you to drive white LEDs without the need for resistors.

But then again, you could always put 3 white LEDs in series and drive them off of a 9v source...
by Tchail
Mon Mar 03, 2014 9:56 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Led light strips, cool or warm
Replies: 7
Views: 12300

Cool white LEDs typically have a bit of a bluish tint to them.
by Tchail
Fri May 24, 2013 10:28 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Looking to Purchase Mr. Surfacer
Replies: 4
Views: 7737

Looking to Purchase Mr. Surfacer

I'm in the Seattle area.

Does anyone know of a LHS that stocks any of the Mr. Surfacer products?

Thanks!
by Tchail
Thu Apr 25, 2013 4:43 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: slow fadeing leds
Replies: 11
Views: 12234

You might want to try the Beacon Simulator from Ngineering:

http://www.ngineering.com/lghting%20eff ... ilroad.htm
by Tchail
Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:11 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Where to order components online?
Replies: 32
Views: 123091

There's also uniqueleds.com.

As the name suggests, the have LEDs of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

I have ordered from them and had a good experience.
by Tchail
Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:35 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Voltage regulator question
Replies: 32
Views: 33359

What about something like this?

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9370

I've bought one, but have not had the chance to hook it up yet.

Best,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Fri Nov 30, 2012 11:59 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: What type of wire do you use?
Replies: 4
Views: 4048

I recently started using #30 "wire wrap" wire from Radio Shack. So far, I haven't had any trouble and have been very happy with the results. I also purchased a low-temperature soldering iron from NEngineering. It's small size and quick heat up have made soldering a lot easier on small comp...
by Tchail
Sat Nov 03, 2012 8:02 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Navigation/Flasher Board
Replies: 4
Views: 3234

Are you asking how to create an LED flasher board from scratch? Honestly, I think your best bet is to get the Federation Flasher board from DLM parts. http://www.dlmparts.com/electronics.html Honetsly, if you've spent the money on the 1/350 Refit and you're trying to do it right, it's probably your ...
by Tchail
Mon Oct 29, 2012 2:33 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Multiple LED lighting and resistor values
Replies: 6
Views: 5609

I have a spreadsheet where I (try) to keep track of the voltage and amperage of my LED purchases.

From my experience, white/green/blue LEDs typically require 3v, while red LEDs use 2.2v.

And most LEDs typically require 20 mA of current.

Hope this helps,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Tue Oct 23, 2012 4:24 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: I have a "black thumb" with electronics
Replies: 14
Views: 14855

I've had good luck with this soldering iron:

http://www.ngineering.com/soldering.htm

Although it's only 12W, it has so far been much better than any of the irons I've bought from Radio Shack.

-Tchail
by Tchail
Mon Oct 22, 2012 5:03 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Dumb Question for the Day - Tamiya Clear White?
Replies: 5
Views: 6744

Dumb Question for the Day - Tamiya Clear White?

Here's a dumb question for today:

Does Tamiya make a clear/transparent white acrylic paint?

I have clear red, clear blue, and clear green, but I'd like to lighten the colors a bit.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Mon Aug 27, 2012 6:46 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: How to find a receptacle for a wall wart's plug?
Replies: 8
Views: 7353

I think Paul is referring to something like this: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/AC_adaptor_polarity.png This indicates whether the "pin" or the "sleeve" of the output coming from your AC adapter is positive or negative. Is there any chance you could post a pi...
by Tchail
Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:21 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: How to find a receptacle for a wall wart's plug?
Replies: 8
Views: 7353

It sounds like you're looking for a DC Power Plug & DC Power Jack.

I tend to use Size K-Coaxial connectors.

Here are the Radio Shack Part numbers:

Plug: 274-1567

Jack: 274-1565

Best of luck!

-Tchail
by Tchail
Sun Jun 03, 2012 12:01 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: USS Voyager strobe and nav lights
Replies: 3
Views: 3717

It depends on whether the ship is the CGI version or the physical model. On the CGI, the lights that blink appear to be the saucer-edge lights and the lights on the back of the nacelles. However, on the physical model, the only lights that blink are a light on the top of Deck 2, directly in front of...
by Tchail
Sat May 19, 2012 6:53 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Small Circuit for Blinking LEDs?
Replies: 2
Views: 3230

Small Circuit for Blinking LEDs?

I know that you can buy flashing LEDs. And I've also built a couple of kits that allow you to create flashing LEDs. But does anyone know what is the smallest circuit out there that can flash a 3v surface-mount LED? I ask this because I got my hands on several "body lights" from Thatscoolwi...
by Tchail
Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:43 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stupid Tenax-7R Question
Replies: 13
Views: 17289

I think my biggest problem is that Tenax is evaporating before I can get the hull-halves together.

I have other glues - I'll give them a try.

Thanks everyone,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:19 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Stupid Tenax-7R Question
Replies: 13
Views: 17289

Stupid Tenax-7R Question

I've had great success with using Tenax-7R as a welder, but recently I haven't had much luck using it as a glue. I'm trying to assemble the Star Trek 1/2500 Cadet Series kits, and putting together the secondary hull halves has been a bit of a pain. Despite brushing on Tenax onto the pieces and clamp...
by Tchail
Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:01 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Dremel 100
Replies: 12
Views: 14794

Re: Dremel 100

I'd recommend getting a Dremel Stylus. It's smaller and not awkard to handle: http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=1100 I went for years using the big corded Dremels and found that this little cordless Stylus (which I bought on an experimental whim) has pretty much displaced ...
by Tchail
Thu Apr 12, 2012 11:46 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Is this a good thing or a bad thing.
Replies: 6
Views: 8546

If you insist on using a 9V circuit, then use 3 LEDs in series - that way you can skip using the resistor.

Otherwise I'd agree with Scott - just use two AA or AAA's (or a 3V wall-wart) and wire all of your LED's in parallel. That way you can also skip the resistor.

Cheers,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:09 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Custom Circuit Design?
Replies: 1
Views: 2046

Custom Circuit Design?

Can anyone recommend a person/company that does custom circuit design?

I have a lighting project that I could use some help on.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Wed Apr 04, 2012 9:07 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Thickness for deep space mine windows
Replies: 4
Views: 3813

Here's two suggestions: You could try the LG64-25 from fiberopticproducts.com. It contains 64 - 0.25mm fiber optic strands. This is roughly equivalent to what use to come in the AMT fiber optic Star Destroyer kit - and yes, I do plan on using this on my old Star Destroyer. On the other hand, you cou...
by Tchail
Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:04 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Side Lighting Fibre Optic Cable
Replies: 10
Views: 16550

I bought a short length (5-feet) of Sideglow cable from Fiberopticproducts.com to experiment with. http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Sideglow.htm And my one observation is that it requires a "lot" of light in order to be even visible along the sides of the cable - a standard 5mm led simply...
by Tchail
Wed Mar 14, 2012 8:48 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Whats the best fiber optic thickness for star destroyer
Replies: 6
Views: 14051

You might also want to consider the LG64-25 cable from fiberopticproducts.com. See the bottom of this page: http://www.fiberopticproducts.com/Jacketed.htm A good place for drill bits is Widget Supply: http://www.widgetsupply.com/ They have a good selection of drill bits at a reasonable price. I'd al...
by Tchail
Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:22 pm
Forum: Construction
Topic: Dremel Tip for Cutting Steel/Aluminum?
Replies: 7
Views: 11569

Dremel Tip for Cutting Steel/Aluminum?

I have several pieces of steel/aluminum channel to cut. (That "L" shaped stuff that looks like it came from an Erector set." I don't have time to cut it using a hacksaw, so I would like to use my Dremel tool and a cutting wheel. Can anyone recommend the best cutting wheel? Thanks in a...
by Tchail
Sun Jan 22, 2012 7:29 pm
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: EL Tape Question
Replies: 5
Views: 6323

EL Tape Question

All of the electroluminescent tape strips that I've seen have connectors already built into them.

Does anyone know if it's possible to add your own connectors?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks,

-Tchail
by Tchail
Sat Dec 24, 2011 1:01 am
Forum: Lighting & Electronics
Topic: Warm White LED Question
Replies: 8
Views: 11047

Thanks for all of the feedback!

I found 20 for $2.00, so I'll start with that.

Then I'll see how I do.

-Tchail