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  • Bobby Conkers
    • Jan 2020
    • 529

    #1

    Simple LED Lighting

    Hi all.

    I couldn't find a Janet and John guide on here, thought I'd ask.

    For my next boat build, I want to add some simple lighting. As simple as: 12-15 candlelight colour (warm white?) LEDs, preferably flickering, connected to a battery box (not mains) I'll keep outside the model.

    I know everything about this except:
    What I need.
    Where to get it.
    How to get it to work.

    My practical knowledge of electronics is exactly zero, so this needs to be something that Forrest Gump could understand.

    I prefer the written word to video for this sort of stuff, although I'll refer to video afterwards if I need to see it done.

    Over to you boffins.

    Cheers,

    Bobby
  • wotan
    SMF Supporters
    • May 2018
    • 1150

    #2
    Andrew

    LED lighting is much simpler than you might think. The best place to get supplies is a railway modelling site similar to this https://evandesigns.com/collections/hobby-leds I am sure you will find something similar in the UK. You can get many different sizes of bulb and flickering bulbs. The colour is not too vital since you can put a dab of clear paint on the bulb to add colour. A simple 9v battery can power all your bulbs and as you can see they come with most of the wires etc already attached. Just plug them together and flick the switch.
    If you want really small pin lights you can always add a few fibre optic strings in which case one bulb can be used to light many tiny "candles". Many of the shops have tutorial pages that will tell you what you need.

    Good luck

    John

    Comment

    • boatman
      SMF Supporters
      • Nov 2018
      • 14451
      • christopher
      • NORFOLK UK

      #3
      Originally posted by Bobby Conkers
      Hi all.

      I couldn't find a Janet and John guide on here, thought I'd ask.

      For my next boat build, I want to add some simple lighting. As simple as: 12-15 candlelight colour (warm white?) LEDs, preferably flickering, connected to a battery box (not mains) I'll keep outside the model.

      I know everything about this except:
      What I need.
      Where to get it.
      How to get it to work.

      My practical knowledge of electronics is exactly zero, so this needs to be something that Forrest Gump could understand.

      I prefer the written word to video for this sort of stuff, although I'll refer to video afterwards if I need to see it done.

      Over to you boffins.

      Cheers,

      Bobby
      HI MR Conkers try this as this is where i get my leds from an they do warm white not sure about flickering though but they do all sorts of SMD 2MM leds an the leds come in a pack of 5 complete with about 10 inches of very fine wire an a resistor already fitted for 12v use an its from
      www.layouts4u.net or tel 01354 652302 or mobile 07769 621620 but if you phone then after 10 am an they are in the uk an very good service ive found normally take about 3 days or so an ive never had a problem with them
      chris

      Comment

      • boatman
        SMF Supporters
        • Nov 2018
        • 14451
        • christopher
        • NORFOLK UK

        #4
        AN how you get them t work is easy just get a 12v battery an fit the wire end of the resistor to the positive the red terminal on the batt an the negative wire to the neg on battery an just try one first so you get the general idea then just solder the resistors togeather an connect to the red terminal on the batt an jion the negs together an fit to the neg terminal an they will all light up
        but if you look on my tiger thread on page 96 there are some different leds that are all jioned up about 20 or so on a strip but there are no resistors fitted to these hang on i'll post a pic for you below but these are 9v leds
        hope this helps you but DO NOT PUT THE LEDS STRAIGHT TO A BATT WITHOUT THE RESISTOR FITTED OR THEY WILL FUSE
        chrisClick image for larger version

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        Comment

        • wotan
          SMF Supporters
          • May 2018
          • 1150

          #5
          Andrew

          When buying leds try to find ones with the resistor already attached. This will simplify your life and allow you to ignore any complications about resistor size or placement.

          John

          Comment

          • wasdale32
            SMF Supporters
            • Apr 2018
            • 1115
            • Mark

            #6
            I have a set of warm white LED Christmas lights which cost less than £10 and have around 150 LEDs each with its own resistor where some have failed as they were used outdoors which I've cannibalised as it seemed stupid to bin - they work OK with a 9V PP3 battery.

            Comment

            • Guest

              #7
              Originally posted by Bobby Conkers
              Hi all.

              I couldn't find a Janet and John guide on here, thought I'd ask.

              For my next boat build, I want to add some simple lighting. As simple as: 12-15 candlelight colour (warm white?) LEDs, preferably flickering, connected to a battery box (not mains) I'll keep outside the model.

              I know everything about this except:
              What I need.
              Where to get it.
              How to get it to work.

              My practical knowledge of electronics is exactly zero, so this needs to be something that Forrest Gump could understand.

              I prefer the written word to video for this sort of stuff, although I'll refer to video afterwards if I need to see it done.

              Over to you boffins.

              Cheers,

              Bobby
              Bobby put this in your browser search.




              Little while ago now that I produced simple set ups. Found that you can get sets. You will find in the above descriptions of what you want.

              For simple layouts it is dead simple.

              Laurie

              Comment

              • Guest

                #8
                This also look useful Bobby.
                Laurie

                Comment

                • JR
                  • May 2015
                  • 18273

                  #9
                  Bobby have a look at https://www.smallscalelights.co.uk/js-miniatures/

                  I've dealt with this lady and shes very helpful.

                  Comment

                  • Guest

                    #10
                    Originally posted by John Race
                    Bobby have a look at https://www.smallscalelights.co.uk/js-miniatures/

                    I've dealt with this lady and shes very helpful.
                    Give that 110% John. Ask any question & the answer is straight back.

                    Laurie

                    Comment

                    • JR
                      • May 2015
                      • 18273

                      #11
                      Originally posted by Laurie
                      Give that 110% John. Ask any question & the answer is straight back.

                      Laurie
                      Yes indeed Laurie, think at the prices she charges and the help its well worth Bobby going to her.

                      Comment

                      • Bobby Conkers
                        • Jan 2020
                        • 529

                        #12
                        Originally posted by John Race
                        Yes indeed Laurie, think at the prices she charges and the help its well worth Bobby going to her.
                        I have done just that, and have told her who sent me!

                        Thank you gentlemen.

                        Comment

                        • Bobby Conkers
                          • Jan 2020
                          • 529

                          #13
                          Order placed! Jennifer was very helpful, linked to just what I needed and advised me without trying to upsell. Will let you know how I get on...

                          Comment

                          • JR
                            • May 2015
                            • 18273

                            #14
                            Originally posted by Bobby Conkers
                            Order placed! Jennifer was very helpful, linked to just what I needed and advised me without trying to upsell. Will let you know how I get on...
                            Good to know Bobby, I've just put another order in today following an email asking a few questions.
                            She deservers to have them with her attitude of being helpful and truthful about what you need.

                            Comment

                            • Bobby Conkers
                              • Jan 2020
                              • 529

                              #15
                              Originally posted by John Race
                              Good to know Bobby, I've just put another order in today following an email asking a few questions.
                              She deservers to have them with her attitude of being helpful and truthful about what you need.
                              Absolutely. Quality service worth more than any discount in my opinion.

                              Comment

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