Lighting the Rebel Blockade Runner

Less Than Super Ostrich · Tue Nov 28, 2006 2:08 pm

I'm just beginning to my Randy Cooper Rebel Blockade Runner and I've never ever ever lighted a model before. I'm a little overwhelmed at the prospect of learning the lighting trade. Does anyone on the boards offer a service to put together a lighting system that I could install in the model? If so, I'd gladly pay someone to help me out. If not, is there a good reference book I could read to learn to do simple LED lighting projects? I basically want to do this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v642/ ... RBR035.jpg

11 LEDs in the engines and 1 LED to light the cockpit.

jwrjr · Post by **jwrjr** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 11:14 pm

Looks like what you need is 11 white leds (for the engines), 1 led of whatever color for the cockpit, a power supply, and a connector to get the power into the model.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 3:49 am

Dude you should plan a build day and bring the model over. We can go over what and where and note all the places you need to pre-route wires. I got wires and LEDs and circuit boards. So you can some lengths of wires and run all the wire then we can add the LEDs and a distrobution board.

Less Than Super Ostrich · Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:49 am

Joe,
You're the best... great idea. I haven't even started on the BR yet... perhaps I'll wait until I get further along in the process. Fortunately it was cast hollow and I was able to get the clear pieces for the engines (so the light will shine through). Thanks again,
Brian

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:39 pm

If you send me some pics I can start mulling it over. There aren't any FX on the ship, like the engine thrust/light doesn't flutter or anything hinky like that? I mean other than lasers and explosions.

Less Than Super Ostrich · Wed Nov 29, 2006 2:11 pm

Nope... I assume it would be a very simple job. I just don't know the first thing about which leds to choose... how to wire them... or what power source to use. I don't know what the heck a resistor, transistor, or flux capicitor is either.

robiwon · Post by **robiwon** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 4:57 pm

Not sure if you would want to use LED's for the thrusters. LED's project their light outward in a cone. They project very little light to the sides. I don't think the LED would light up the whole inside of the engine nozzel. You would probably be better off using an incandescent bulb in a socket (Mag Lite style) so it can be replaced.

Sparky · Post by **Sparky** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:44 pm

If you shave the top of the LED off, all the lense effect is gone, its fairly omini-directional at that point.

I'll see if I can get a test shot setup.