Lighting on Models

Heckler

New Member
I am keen to add lighting on some of the models I'm building, I'm just wondering how folks are going about this. On the internet I've found various ways to light doll houses from the mains and I've seen the strings of led lights that run off the battery but nothing inbetween.

I guess the ideal thing would be a battery pack with a single or a couple of LEDs. I know it's theoretically possible to solder something but I'm afriad my skills (and knowledge) in this area are non-existant so I'd prefer something less DIY.
 

Rogerio Silva

Active Member
Heckler

There are some threads here that talk about that, but none is very (let's put it that way) "educational", IMHO. I suggest you take a look into them, talk with the authors, and, if you wish (PLEASE DO!), post a detailed thread on it.
All the best,

Rogério
 

ASC Mclaren

Well-Known Member
Heckler,
I've used LED lighting in several models, all battery powered. The lighting I've used the most is flicker LEDs from Halloween LED candles. The nice thing about those is the battery holder is part of the candle, so I use it. It's really quite easy, I'm not an electrical genius by any means.

I encourage you to post your build thread and when you need some help with the lighting, I'm very sure that you'll get some tips!
 

spaceagent-9

Right Hand Man and Confidant
Moderator
if you use 2 aaa batteries in a radio shack battery case, with an off/on switch, you can twist the wires and use duct tape on the twist. then hot glue the leds in place. this will work fine and you wont have to solder or put in any resistors. it will power quite a few leds. private message me if you need any other effects. filter the led's brightness, try a plastic milk carton to use as a light intensity filter. if you need something like a head light, cut a hole, hot glue the hole and stick the led on one side. wax paper also makes a good light filter. if you are trying something specific, please show pics of the build, and add questions and state desired goal and im sure we will all help as much as we can.
 

Heckler

New Member
Thanks for the replies folks, the pound shop battery tea lights were something that occured to me, but I like the idea of the battery box thing as well.

I think I'll have a wander down to my local Maplins and see what they have and as suggested I'll post up some WIP to ask some advice.
 

Heckler

New Member
The Tea lights here usually have a CR2032 button battery, nice, small and 3v, just sayin.

I bought a few of these for Halloween, I think I'll take one apart and have a look see. So long as the battery hatch is on the bottom along with the on-off switch then that's easy to present through a hole in the base.

Certainly got me thinking.

Annoyingly my first two models would have looked great with lighting but I'm certainly not going to retro fit, hacking a hole in the bottom through the foam core and then trying to replace the windows on a completed model would be an excercise in frustration. Still food for thought on any subsequent ones.
 

DanBKing

Dan the Man
Considering the time of year, going down to your local 'cheap shop' and looking at battery powered Christmas lights and such, will provide you with many options!!
 

Heckler

New Member
I now have visions of a model of the Amityville Horror house with flashing red lights inside that plays 'Walking in a Winter Wonderland'.

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