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Author Topic: Adding lights  (Read 12950 times)

Dan.Lord

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Adding lights
« on: August 14, 2007, 03:40:16 pm »

Hi not really being one for electronics, I've never really bothered to add lights etc, however I've decided to build another Calypso, & want to add some nav lights etc, to enhance her a tad.
Question : When using LED's, do you need to add resistors to each LED, or can you wire them straight to a battery, without any resistors ? As you can tell my knowledge of such difficult electronic under takings is basicly non existant.
All help appreciated. Dan.
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rp6705

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2007, 03:54:01 pm »

Hi

When connecting LED,S the  preffered method is to connect a 470ohm resistor to each LED if running straight off a battery.

Russ
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rp6705

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2007, 03:57:36 pm »

Sorry forgot to say always connect LED,S in series not in parallel.

Cheers
Russ
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Bunkerbarge

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2007, 04:04:42 pm »

...and don't forget the long tail is the +ve!!
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Dan.Lord

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2007, 04:33:19 pm »

Thanks chaps, more questions, does it matter what side you connect the 47ohm jobby onto +ve or -nus, also is series like one continous loop +ve to +ve etc ?? cheers Dan.
PS. Bunker, U boat almost done main deck gun & rigging to go ......
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gribeauval

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #5 on: August 14, 2007, 04:44:12 pm »

Read this link for a simple explanation about wiring led's ;)



Mike
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2007, 04:56:03 pm »

Quote
Sorry forgot to say always connect LED,S in series not in parallel.

Is that correct? Sounds like you are daisy chaining them. I've used a system where you run a couple of wires round the inside of the boat and simply mount the LEDs (and resistors) across the wires wherever you need them.

In fact, instead of buying LEDs and resistors I now get 12v LEDs which have resistors built in and can be connected direct to the power supply. They work pretty well on 6v with not much loss of brightness. You can also get 5v LEDs with inbuilt resistors but you'd have to have a 5v or less power supply for those. Both types seem to cost around 30p each from Squires, Maplins etc. Saves a lot of fiddly soldering.

Maplins here: http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=led&source=15&SD=Y
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Ghost in the shell

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #7 on: August 14, 2007, 05:39:26 pm »

colin, parrallel wiring, v series, which is actually better, ALL my models have all the positive wires grouped and all the negative wires grouped, then run two wires to the battery via a switch on the live?  I plan on LED wiring my yacht, and will be probably undertaking this at epic
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #8 on: August 14, 2007, 06:00:47 pm »

Gribeauval's link explains the wiring options very well. I've printed it out for future reference. However, if you buy the regulated 12v or 5v types the internal resistor will be the appropriate value for the quoted voltage.
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Dan.Lord

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #9 on: August 14, 2007, 07:49:03 pm »

Read this link for a simple explanation about wiring led's ;)



Mike
Hi Mike most excellent link very easy to understand, even for a dummy like myself. this has been most helpful. cheers to you all. Dan.
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red181

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #10 on: August 17, 2007, 12:06:17 am »

I have 5 led's on the fireboat, all wired as per Ghost's explanation, all bought from Mapiln's. There are a numvber of different led's available, depending on wh
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red181

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #11 on: August 17, 2007, 12:15:47 am »

(oops!) It does not matter which leg the resistor is, but an led will only work at the exact voltage, hence requirement for resistor. The maplin led's are varying voltages, depending on colour, and it must be the "forward" voltage as per their catalogue.The bulbs are no more than a pound, and the resistors are pennies, the maplin staff are always very helpful and will work out the correct bulbs and resisitors if you tell them your supply voltage
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Colin Bishop

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #12 on: August 17, 2007, 09:33:37 am »

Quote
but an led will only work at the exact voltage

I don't think it's all that critical and the 12v ones work OK on 6v anyway - just a bit dimmer.
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Welsh_Druid

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #13 on: August 17, 2007, 10:00:43 am »

I am curious to know why all the posters are using LEDs and not "grain of wheat/rice" bulbs.  I know that LEDs have a longer life, but for the length of time that the lights are used on models, is this significant ?

Possibly the current consumption ?  But I have 18 GofW bulbs on my latest model and the total consumption is only 1.27 amps - easily handled by the 12v 7amhr battery in conjunction with the 1.66amps(Max) of the motor.

I find that the spread of light is far better than the LEDs which I have on another model which is why I have used them this time.

Don B.
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tigertiger

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #14 on: August 17, 2007, 10:08:01 am »

I am curious to know why all the posters are using LEDs and not "grain of wheat/rice" bulbs.  I know that LEDs have a longer life, but for the length of time that the lights are used on models, is this significent ?

Possibly the current consumption ?  But I have 18 GofW bulbs on my latest model and the total consumption is only 1.27 amps - easily handled by the 12v 7amhr battery in conjunction with the 1.66amps(Max) of the motor.

I find that the spread of light is far better than the LEDs which I have on another model which is why I have used them this time.

Don B.

I looked at GoW and even ordered some. The ones I got were 3v and painted red and green. When lit they just looked like dirty white, the paint rubbed off and a couple blew real quick. So I did not go the way of GoW.

I used LED as the thoght of having to rewire made me blow a fuse.

The led have a very good spread of light if you frost the surface with sandpaper, alothough I can now buy frosted from the store.
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Welsh_Druid

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #15 on: August 17, 2007, 10:23:15 am »

Hi Tiger

I don't think you would call these dim ? O0

They are 12volt though - all wired in parallel
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Tug-Kenny RIP

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #16 on: August 17, 2007, 10:29:59 am »



Can't hear the party music     :D

Wow, thats bright and very festive.

I use LED's and find the white is not pure white, so I arranged them to shine on the inside of the cabin roof, which is white plastic. This helps to disperse the glow.

My reason for choosing them against the wire bulbs was one of amps, but it looks as if the difference is small anyway.

Nice looking boat, Mr Druid


Cheers...Ken


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DaveB

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #17 on: August 17, 2007, 06:02:23 pm »

I agree with Welsh Druid i prefer the grain of wheat on 12v. i did one boat with LED's and unless its almost pitch black they were not very bright. I sometimes sail at Iden lock near Rye at dusk and the grain of wheat look superb at distance
DaveB
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bigH

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #18 on: August 17, 2007, 07:30:13 pm »

   Hi DAN, with ref; your Calypso is there any chance of you posting a picture on the forum?  I have just been given one and it needs some VTLC would like to see how it should look.   bigH
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Ghost in the shell

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #19 on: August 17, 2007, 07:44:00 pm »

druid those look fantastic!

these are Gemini and Celestia

perhaps this thread ought to become a gallery of lit up ships. that way anyone wanting to add lights will have a rough idea of where to put them.
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Stavros

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #20 on: August 17, 2007, 09:35:15 pm »

Don what you trying to do blind us,didnt know it was so dark under the bridge Stavros
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gribeauval

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #21 on: August 17, 2007, 10:24:27 pm »

Hey Stavros, this is for blinding people!!! 8)  AND they are all led's ;)

Mike
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Ghost in the shell

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #22 on: August 17, 2007, 10:26:12 pm »

thats bright gib. what life boat is that?
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gribeauval

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #23 on: August 17, 2007, 10:29:27 pm »

1/12th scale 37' Oakley,  RNLB The Will And Fanny Kirby   in her Flamborough (North Landing) days.

Mike
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flybobby

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Re: Adding lights
« Reply #24 on: August 18, 2007, 03:55:45 pm »

My second freelance SAR vessel nears completion, and I have to admit that I may have gone a little OTT with the lighting this time around, but hell I like it!!











I have used a mixture of LEDS and grain of wheat.  My crowning glory was the monitors in the bridge! O0
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