How miniature can LEDs go?

[mikedemana]

One of my next projects is going to involve scratch building some Pulp type robots. I think it would be awesome if I could incorporate a glowing LED on each. I wanted the robots roughly man sized -- not giant transformer types.

Not being an electrician, is this possible with current LED/Radio Shack technology? Any ideas how I'd go about it?

Thanks!

Mike Demana

[zizi666]

One of my next projects is going to involve scratch building some Pulp type robots. I think it would be awesome if I could incorporate a glowing LED on each. I wanted the robots roughly man sized -- not giant transformer types.

Not being an electrician, is this possible with current LED/Radio Shack technology? Any ideas how I'd go about it?

Thanks!

Mike Demana

Mike, look for 3mm LEDs and light those up with cell batteries.
Normaly, you need a small circuit to protect a LED, but it's totaly safe to connect 'em to a cell battery.
People do this (+ a magnet) to create throwies : http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Throwies

[Sangennaru]

I think you should look for optic fibers: you place a few in the model and you put the led in some part of the base. That's a good solution.

Otherwise, you can have models cast in clear resin, then you paint everything is not suppose to be lighted! Again, you've to find a place for the led and batteri, as zizi stated.

[zizi666]

You can glue leds in models with hot glue.
I've seen some warmachine titans that were lighted. I was also witness to some failure where we heard a tiny pop and out went the lights. exit illumination 
In that perspective it might be better to follow Sangennaru's lead : optic fibers, 1 LED AND easy acces to it and the battery (or maybe even try to make it removable, so you can change it when something gives or when you would like other colors.)

[Grimmnar]

http://poweredplay.net/

Also, hit YouTube.

Hit Google and look up "40k LED" and you will have plenty of links to start you out. :-)

Grimm

[AndrewBeasley]

3mm is a bit big IMHO I'd look at the 1.8mm miniature range with built in resistors (if you can get them) or go for LED lighting strips but the latter can be a pain to use. Avoid 'grain of wheat' bulbs as these are a pain with power compared to LEDs with built in resistors.

Best place to look is the dolls house sites to see what is available - Maplin used to do a LED experimenters kit but all I can see now is http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/richard-hammonds-blast-lab-bright-ideas-a48kr but a quick google showed me https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9878

Killer for you will be the battery size and switch assuming you are happy drilling into the model.  One thought I had was to mount the battery into a backpack or weapon and use a clip to act as a switch so when the backpack or weapon is clipped onto the figure it powers up.  You may have to aim for 3V with a 56 ohm resistor or 5V with 150 ohm just to keep the size down.

Good luck - please show us all the WIP and result.

[Silent Invader]

I did something similar to create working lights on a 1/56 vehicle.  I just used the one LED in a holder then fed the light through a cluster of fibre optic cables.





There's more info and a demo on this page here:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=25459.45

[FifteensAway]

Also, don't count on Radio Shack being around to be a supplier.  They are in deep trouble and may not survive.  Personally, I blame this on their shift from being an electronics store to their attempt at being a retail product store (bits and pieces versus finished products) but maybe they would have died earlier without that switch since so few people 'make' things anymore in our dispose-all society.

[Sangennaru]

Silent Invader, that's pretty much exactely what i was thinking! And you did a hell of a job! :I

[nic-e]

go to a poundshop and look for the cheap figures with led's in the chest, they're normally ninja styled.

I got some recently, 5 for a pound.i bought two sets and for my £2 i got 10 led bulbs and 20 small batteries.

[mikedemana]

Thanks for all the tips and advice, everyone! I think I am going to go with these, all-in-one LEDs. They include the battery and have an On/off switch. They're a but bigger than I wanted, but I can make do....
http://www.100candles.com/items_similar.htm?itemid=9528&show=colors

I'll be sure to post pics once I start on the,!

Mike Demana

[Sangennaru]

they sure are large! keep us posted!