Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => The "Black Arts!" ( Electrics & Electronics ) => Topic started by: Big Ada on January 03, 2011, 04:50:32 pm

Title: Lights on Kites
Post by: Big Ada on January 03, 2011, 04:50:32 pm

Once a year when its dark the Kent Kite Flyers do a charity Night Fly with lit up kites.
Would it be possible to run a set of LED Christmas Lights off of a Battery ?. The set I have has a plug in transformer. I tried a 12v battery but the LEDS didnt light up, any ideas ?.

Len.

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: john s 2 on January 03, 2011, 04:58:05 pm

My local pound shop was selling 20 led lights prewired with battery box and switch for £1 B&q and Do it all were also selling similer
items but not as cheaply. John.

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: roycv on January 03, 2011, 07:07:01 pm

Hi I would think with lithium cells, the little ones, the whole thing would be very light.

 Perhaps strip down a 7 LED torch from the pound shop, this has a flasher function on it as well.
regards Roy

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: grasshopper on January 03, 2011, 09:10:40 pm

it's possible that the transformer output is 12v AC and not DC - the rectification could be in the harnessing.

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: malcolmfrary on January 04, 2011, 10:06:45 am

Is it a 12 volt transformer?
Is there a control box in the wiring?  Like grasshopper says, the rectifier might live in there, and the control box might need AC to work.

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: Netleyned on January 04, 2011, 10:29:32 am

There should be a specification panel on the transformer giving the output details. If it has a CE mark!

Ned

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: tigertiger on January 04, 2011, 11:30:24 am

I could be wrong, but unless the Xmas lights come with a transformer they may be 240v.
And even with transformer the output may be over 12v.

12v would then not be enough push to light the LED.

What I have seen is Xmas fairy wands with LEDs in a plastic snowflake running off 3v.

You could buy some LEDs from any electronics supplier. The white and blue are 3v and other colours are 2v. You may need a few resistors to solder in series to the 2v LEDs. A simple parallel circuit for each should be easy to bodge rig. Then all you need is a 3v power supply.

scuff the LEDs with sand paper and the light will be visible from all angles, not just head on. Some LEDs are already treated for this.

BTW you can also get flashing LEDs.

Title: Re: Lights on Kites
Post by: Guy Bagley on January 04, 2011, 12:18:06 pm

at the hop farm show last september there was a bloke with some giant kites, these had LED lighting on them, they were microprocessor controlled and the lighting sequence was all pre grogrammed in !-the whole ' driver unit and battery' were on the kite - they were amazing, so it can be done...


there are plenty of people selling  led strips ( component shop had them at warwick) these can be run from a 12 volt supply,   so i am sure a smaller more simple display is possible too