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Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 03-27-2021
All,
Looking for some help on how to go about designing the innerds of a studio scale model. In my case, it is the Galactica, but would like to learn how to do this for any model. I have very limited experience in electronics. I understand the basics of ohms law and could do simple stuff like cramming a few LEDs in a model, but something as big as the G is a whole different story. Once I have identified what, for example:
1. the Custom Replicas Landing bay running light circuit boards
2. some type of super bright LED lamps for the engines
3. lighting source (probably two) for the fiber optic port lights; one for the head and one for the main body
4. internal lighting for the landing bays (I am building out a partial interior, plus back lighting the matte painting)
Then how do you determine how to make all that work together? How do you determine what specs for the power supply? How do you determine any special stuff like remote control to power on and off, dimmer switch for engines, etc. Any other special effects you might think up. How does one plan all that out. Seems like a whole different skill set. I feel like I must be missing something obvious as I have yet to see anyone post about the inside stuff when so many are building lighted models.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Any books, youtube videos, or other sources of info would be great. Just don't know where to start. Don't want to mess this up and end up burning up 20 years worth of work.
Thanks in advance,
Mel
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - Satazius - 03-28-2021
Hi Mel,
Charles Adams did a whole lighting system for my Galactica project. I plan on filming it, so he did some research into non-flickering dimming systems. If I recall it ties into the CR landing bay boards and there is also some accommodation for cooling, even though the LEDs are not as hot the original incandescents. It's quite sophisticated and brilliant. Worth asking him about for sure.
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - star-art - 03-28-2021
Yeah, a LOT of work went into that!
The requirement for filming (meaning no "flicker" allowed) really complicated things. It meant I had to use only linear dimming. If that's not a requirement, you have more options and it becomes a bit easier.#1 Don't wire ANYTHING unless you know EXACTLY what your circuits are doing. The most important thing is knowing how much current will flow in *every single wire* -- NO EXCEPTIONS! Even low voltage circuits can start fires if things go wrong. Lighting design requires some basic electrical engineering know-how and this should never be skipped!
I would use 5mm LEDs in "warm white" (3000K) or "natural white" (4000-4500K) for fiber optics. Place every LED on its own dimmer to control the brightness. The biggest mistake most people make is having the lights too bright. With individual LEDs you can make your own dimmer using a small potentiometer (pot).
For the engines, I used LED strip lights. These require heat sinking so I made a custom aluminum plate. With this setup you shouldn't need any cooling fans though I installed them in the Galactica anyway. Fans were present in the original so this was more authentic. And, I tend to over-engineer everything. LOL
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 03-30-2021
Thanks guys for the feedback. Charles, can you talk about using battery power versus AC? If I go with AC for my input, how do I determine the power supply requirements? Assuming I go with everything running at 12VDC. I think the CR landing bay lights are 12V. Assuming my other light sources are as well. How do you go about figuring out all the details?
THX,
Mel
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - star-art - 04-02-2021
No short answers I'm afraid. I don't use batteries, only "wall warts: i.e. transformers. For battery power, you have to carefully manage current draw to keep it to an absolute minimum. This adds another layer of complexity.
Everything revolves around knowing how much current your components will draw. This determines not only the power supply, but also the thickness of the wire and the ratings of the various components. Always "de-rate" by making sure any component can handle at least twice as much current/voltage as will ever be encountered in your circuit. This is for safety.
Determine how much each LED draws. Add all this up to find out how much power is needed. Double that to get the minimum power supply.
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - star-art - 04-02-2021
Also keep in mind individual LEDs are best run on 5 volts. If you run two individual LEDs in series, you'll need 9 volts. Three in series requires 12 volts. If you connect individual LEDs to 9 or 12 volts you'll waste a lot of power. This gets dissipated as heat by the inline resistors.
The idea is to keep your voltage and current to a minimum to avoid wasting power and generating heat. I'd have a master power supply at 12 volts. Connect this to your CR boards (assuming that's what they require, it's been so many years now I can't recall). Then, add a step-down buck converter from 12 volts to 9 volts and run any LED strip off that. This reduces brightness, current draw, and maximizes the life of the LED strip. If you want to run individual LEDs, add another buck converter at 5 volts. This should keep everything as efficient as possible.
If you need to dim LED strip lights, that will require some more heavy-duty circuitry. You can use an off-the-shelf PWM dimmer but it will create flicker. You won't notice this but if you try to film the model the camera will pick it up. But, it's the easiest way to dim LED strip.
If you're on Facebook, check out my profile and go to Photos and then Albums. I posted a copy of an article I wrote on lighting a spaceship miniature for a sci-fi short film.
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - JAWS - 04-08-2021
Nice. Thanks Charles for sharing your knowledge 👍
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 04-28-2021
Anybody know what was used for the lights in the running light housing boxes next to the eyes and up on the sides of the engines on the Galactica? I had thought it was a row of 6 3mm LED's, but now that I have some LEDs in hand, they seem a bit to big. Either that, or my light housing box is to small, but if I make that bigger than it won't look right next to the eye. So, either my measurements are off, or it was something else. Maybe some small 2 or 2.5mm grain of wheat bulbs.
Anyone know for sure?
THX,
mel
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 12-01-2021
(04-28-2021, 01:17 AM)padawan-builder Wrote: For all those who have finished a Galactica. Looking for some info on fiber optics. How many port lights did you end up with? How many feet of fiber did you end up using? And what dia. seemed to look the most correct?
THX,
mel
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - bwayne64 - 12-13-2021
Anybody know what was used for the lights in the running light housing boxes next to the eyes and up on the sides of the engines on the Galactica? I had thought it was a row of 6 3mm LED's, but now that I have some LEDs in hand, they seem a bit to big. Either that, or my light housing box is to small, but if I make that bigger than it won't look right next to the eye. So, either my measurements are off, or it was something else. Maybe some small 2 or 2.5mm grain of wheat bulbs.
Anyone know for sure?
THX,
mel
If I remember right those lights were the display from an old calculator. Can't remember which one. I know something like that was used on Luke's Lightsaber. Maybe Jase, Charles, or the Wombat know. I have that info somewhere on an old computer, but don't know where : (. I was going to make mine from translucent orange resin and light it it from behind. That's the plan anyway. Maybe one of the old guard will chime in. If I find it first I'll post it, cheers,
Joe
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 12-21-2021
(12-13-2021, 11:12 AM)THANKS! Wrote: mel
If I remember right those lights were the display from an old calculator. Can't remember which one. I know something like that was used on Luke's Lightsaber. Maybe Jase, Charles, or the Wombat know. I have that info somewhere on an old computer, but don't know where : (. I was going to make mine from translucent orange resin and light it it from behind. That's the plan anyway. Maybe one of the old guard will chime in. If I find it first I'll post it, cheers,
Joe
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 05-11-2024
(12-21-2021, 05:04 AM)padawan-builder Wrote:(12-13-2021, 11:12 AM)THANKS! Wrote: Charles,
Not sure if you are still around, but was wondering if you could elaborate on the G you designed the electronics for, in particular what LED strip did you use for the engines? I have tried a LED strip and an LED COB strip, but neither seemed bright enough to me. I may be falling prey to the issue of how things look online via photo or video and how they look in person. The attached is the LED COB strip I tried. Looks pretty good in the photo, but no where near as bright in person.
mel
RE: Lighting Studio Scale Models (in particular the Galactica) - padawan-builder - 05-11-2024
(05-11-2024, 07:14 AM)padawan-builder Wrote:(12-21-2021, 05:04 AM)padawan-builder Wrote:(12-13-2021, 11:12 AM)THANKS! Wrote: Charles,
Can't seem to add the pic for some reason. But anyway, if you can point me in the direction of the LED strip you used that worked for you.
THX,
mel