Model Boat Mayhem

Mess Deck: General Section => Model Boating => Topic started by: me3 on April 12, 2017, 08:29:15 pm

Title: LED Questions
Post by: me3 on April 12, 2017, 08:29:15 pm

Hi,

I am looking to install underwater lights onto one of my boats to illuminate the running gear at night.

What I really want is a nice even glow across the transom of the model rather than the 'needles of light' that LED's sometimes offer.

Any ideas how I could get an even glow and ways in which to seal the water out? I have a few ideas but any other suggestions / ideas are greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: Skimmer Fan on April 12, 2017, 09:23:34 pm

You could experiment with these. Maybe somebody else on Mayhem has tried them. We used them on our tow as deck lights and they gave a more defused light than individual LEDs

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: cos918 on April 12, 2017, 10:49:14 pm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-3M-5M-Flexible-LED-Neon-Light-Glow-EL-Strip-Tube-Wire-Rope-Battery-Christmas-/272335359368?var=&hash=item3f6873cd88:m:mar38OtOmCyO-LpkBnDc2sw


this might work . cheap enough to try


John

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: chas on April 12, 2017, 11:20:39 pm

Sanding the l e d will help a lot to  diffuse the light,  and the water will diffuse the light as well. If you set the l e ds into the hull with epoxy they will be waterproof. Years ago I remember seeing a model submersible where the builder had just drilled holes and epoxyed them in, it was very effective.

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on April 13, 2017, 01:08:27 am

Quote from: chas on April 12, 2017, 11:20:39 pm

Sanding the l e d will help a lot to  diffuse the light,  and the water will diffuse the light as well. If you set the l e ds into the hull with epoxy they will be waterproof. Years ago I remember seeing a model submersible where the builder had just drilled holes and epoxyed them in, it was very effective.

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,27792.175.html


Try looking at this page. It shows the piece of clear acrylic I used on Nautilus to help diffuse the harsh spotlight effect, normal with LEDs. Something like this could be epoxied into hull sections.

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: Captain Flack on April 13, 2017, 11:47:02 am

I asked the same question regarding fitting underwater lights on my Moonraker and was recommended 5mm. flat head LEDs.  Hope this helps.

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: The Old Fart on April 13, 2017, 08:43:19 pm

Quote from: cos918 on April 12, 2017, 10:49:14 pm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-3M-5M-Flexible-LED-Neon-Light-Glow-EL-Strip-Tube-Wire-Rope-Battery-Christmas-/272335359368?var=&hash=item3f6873cd88:m:mar38OtOmCyO-LpkBnDc2sw (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-3M-5M-Flexible-LED-Neon-Light-Glow-EL-Strip-Tube-Wire-Rope-Battery-Christmas-/272335359368?var=&hash=item3f6873cd88:m:mar38OtOmCyO-LpkBnDc2sw)


this might work . cheap enough to try


John

I bought some of these, only shine,dimly, in total darkness.
no good for daylight.

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on April 13, 2017, 11:25:45 pm

You could be right there. We dressed up a Tamiya Coca Cola Christmas Truck with these. Only really good for low light or darkness as mentioned. Mind you, I doubt any LED would have much luck against natural sunlight anyway, more of an evening or night effect anyway..

Title: Re: LED Questions
Post by: me3 on April 14, 2017, 08:52:56 pm

Hi again,


Thanks for the advice, much appreciated - I will have a look at the options and will post the results on another thread once I have finally finished the boat!


Thanks and happy Easter!