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Author Topic: the use of L E D in model boats  (Read 6459 times)

Stan

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the use of L E D in model boats
« on: June 04, 2020, 08:10:40 pm »
HI Over my time of building model boats the way to fit lights and turn them on has changed dramatically. In those early days grain of wheat bulbs and mechanical switches and grain of rice bulbs were the norm. I can remember a certain trader supplying coloured sleeves to fit over them and those big toggle switches like bricks,. Bulbs that got hot used a lot of power was one of the many problems.  How things have changed during my modelling career. The first generations of L E D were like bricks, domed, not very bright and very few colours.  It was difficult to fit them in many light fittings. Over the years they have got a lot smaller and brighter and more colours are now available plus they use very little power, and used in conjunction with fibre optic cables,  light can be placed almost anywhere in a model. With the advances in electronics and radio equipment it is now possible to turn your lighting system on when your model is sailing.  No more big toggle switches. Many beginners to the hobby would like to fit a lighting system to their model but struggle to understand how to carry out this operation. With this in mind I have enclosed some pictures showing a basic system fitted in a Mobil Marine Arlin Tug.  All the lights come on together as they are wired in parallel with one resistor to each light. The switch to turn them on is a single electronic unit marked Action.  This is turned on from a transmitter channel. Before I start a build I plan what coloured  L E D  I intend to use, then work out  what value resistors I will need for each L E D.  When using L E D  try to match the colour to the time period  for example an early vessel may need a soft yellow light not a white light. The subject of fitting lighting systems in a model seems to send shivers down the spine but in essence with a little thought and guidance it is something not to be feared. One other picture shows six L E D  fitted the roof of my latest build. Please note I am no expert in electronics and i have only got to this stage by trial and error. I have aimed this post at  beginners. Many of us fit L E D and never give it a second thought.


Stan. In those early days  {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ :(( [size=78%] now i have seen the light[/size] :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2020, 08:50:25 pm »
I know that there are members more qualified on this subject than me.  So please don't shot me down in flames.

Stan. <*< <*< <*< <*< <*< <*<
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RST

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2020, 11:11:13 pm »
Now't wrong with what you put there so far, there are a few ways of doing it for the same result!  Very neat -could have course used a bit of veroboard sometimes but not so easy to get with no Maplins anymore.    For the uninitiated / newbie with just a few lamps there are of course switcher modules for LED output nowadays which make it simple for just a few LED's (not that I can find a weblink this particular second though!).  Good post and neatly done! 
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TheLongBuild

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2020, 11:51:02 pm »
Sure that 3rd resistor from the left is slightly out of alignment  ;D :} ;D :} ;D :}
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Howard

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #4 on: June 05, 2020, 11:11:26 am »
Stan your doing what you always do and that's being helpful  your a ACE guy thank you.
                       Regards Howard.
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DaveM

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #5 on: June 05, 2020, 11:33:35 am »
As some background info, Iain Lewis of Component-Shop has written an excellent non-technical article which appears on their website. I would stress that I'm pointing this out only to augment what Stan has already written and hopefully help him avoid having to explain how to calculate resistor values etc. https://www.componentshop.co.uk/led-exp/
For suitable RC switches Comp-Shop sells the ACTion range which should cover almost every installation. https://www.componentshop.co.uk/action-electronics/switches.html
DaveM
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #6 on: June 05, 2020, 11:50:08 am »
Thanks DaveM that was my next post. Hopefully my next part will show a C/Shop voltage regulator supplying bulbs and L E D of the same voltage.




Stan. :-))
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Plastic - RIP

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2020, 01:01:02 pm »
Neat install.

Do people organise night sailings to get the full effect of their lights?
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2020, 01:43:17 pm »
Hi plastic we have a night meeting at Kirklees normally in September.




Stan.
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Big Ada

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #9 on: June 05, 2020, 04:22:23 pm »
Quote from: plastic on June 05, 2020, 01:01:02 pm
Neat install.

Do people organise night sailings to get the full effect of their lights?


Yes when its dark and freezing in the UK, we only last a couple of hours down in darkest Kent UK.
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Howard

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #10 on: June 05, 2020, 07:29:27 pm »
Goole model boat do a night sail in Sept.
                  Regards Howard.
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justboatonic

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #11 on: June 05, 2020, 10:00:18 pm »
Nice one, Stan. You've given me some thought how to get some navigation light LEDs into Newcastle's bridge wings.
And thanks DaveM for that Component Shop linkie!
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Tug Fanatic

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2020, 08:38:22 am »
Stan

 Great. Your post + the Component Shop Guide is everything that you need to know.
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jjolly3

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2020, 05:29:38 am »
Thank you Stan for sharing.  Thank you too Dave M for the link.  This will help guide me in adding some basic navigation lights to my current build.
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2020, 02:06:17 pm »
Hopefully this week I will post more pictures showing how I have used LED in my model building.




Stan.
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Georgeconna

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #15 on: June 07, 2020, 02:33:00 pm »
I just use LEDs now with in built Resistors, Plug em into a 12V Battery and off you go!


Heres a link to one type.


https://www.railwayscenics.com/electrical-and-electronics-lighting-and-leds-5mm-led-lights-5mm-diffused-green-12v-led-with-integrated-resistor-p-433.html
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #16 on: June 07, 2020, 02:56:47 pm »
Thank you for reply. That's a great idea and easy for novices to install. But has you get more ambitious I think you will look at smaller LED to fit in your model. It is not difficult to plan what LED you wish to fit in your model and work out the resistor values. Component shop now offer much smaller prewired LED for fitting in your model.




Stan. :-)) :-)) :-))
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Georgeconna

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #17 on: June 07, 2020, 04:20:59 pm »
Less Wiring, less soldering with integrated Leds. There are a variety of sizes. SMT your stiil stuck with Resistorsfor now and of course these wont cover all aspects for for 12V its a winner.

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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #18 on: June 07, 2020, 07:10:15 pm »
HI thank you for your second reply. All my LED work is done using 2mm LED and wired with thin copper wire. I respect your use of L E D used in model railways working on 12 volts ideal if your model is powered with 12 volts. This option would be a problem on smaller models and at some stage you may have to carry our some soldering and work out resistor values. These options are not rocket science and I for one would gladly help any one who is willing to have a go.The guide found in the back of the Component shop makes this subject no longer a taboo subject.


Stan. If you are puzzled {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ {:-{ ask and you to will see the light. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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Colin Bishop

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #19 on: June 07, 2020, 07:38:29 pm »
It might be worth mentioning that the lighting on many model boats is too bright. Navigation lights in particular are actually quite dim compared with deck and working lights. Masthead lights tend to stand out due to their height but port and starboard lights can actually be quite hard to make out against a bright coastal background for example.

Also, white LEDs are a blueish white which is OK for masthead lights but not so good for accommodation lighting where a more yellow ambiience reperesnting tungsten lighting is often more common. I have tried to reproduce this to some extent on my fishery cruiser Brenda. The port and starboard lights are actially grain of rice bulbs on half the rated voltage.

Tungsten effect LEDs which give a warmer tone are readily available.

Colin

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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #20 on: June 07, 2020, 07:50:00 pm »
HI Colin I did mention this at the start of my thread.Thank you for providing the picture it all helps understanding the use of L E D in model boats.


Stan.
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Fastfaz

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #21 on: June 08, 2020, 11:15:34 am »
    Ian at the Component shop stocks all manner of colours in LED's, I use amber in the deckhouse of my tugs and red in the wheelhouse, bright white on the mast. If you think they are too bright just give the a sand with 400/600 wet n dry it acts like a difuser, I run mine with individual resistors on the main 12 volt batteries. Hope this helps.
     Cheers, Pete. :-)) :-)) :-))
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #22 on: June 08, 2020, 09:18:06 pm »
Good evening.  I have taken some pictures today that show some L E D applications in my models. The most difficult to get working were the three lights suspended from the mast on 1062. Other pictures show the lights on my lobster boat which are all the same value 3 volt grain of wheat bulbs, 3 volt L E D. These are simply powered via a voltage regulator set at 3 volts. Last shots show the the resistors fitted on vero board. These power the rear gantry lights. Not too many years ago lights in my models were simple bulbs with a very large switch. I then thought about L E D lighting a little apprehensive at first but I bit the bullet and after many set backs here we are today.  So have a go like I said earlier it is not rocket science.


Stan. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
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Stan

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #23 on: June 08, 2020, 09:27:20 pm »
Missed this one. Two function electronic switch from Action fitted in my old lobster boat.
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john44

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Re: the use of L E D in model boats
« Reply #24 on: June 09, 2020, 12:07:09 pm »
Brilliant Stan you can even follow the wiring through the boat instead of it being like a tin of spaghetti
Just tipped in. :-))  These posts you are putting up Must encourage people to have a go. Not just
For boats but cars,trucks.tanks any aspect of model making where 2 mm.leds are a better option
In confined spaces and smaller models with less access. Lots of led sizes and shapes to choose from.
Also with a fine point soldering iron are easy to solder without over heating surrounding wiring.
Thanks Stan a For a pleasure tour around your boats wiring.


John
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