Flickering lights

Discussion in 'Hints & Tips' started by ianvolvo46, Dec 15, 2017.

  1. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    I have just ordered 12 tea lights @ approx 50p each including batteries and a remote control (free postage) the flickering is not too pronounced so would suit most industrial units suggesting movement within.
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    I also ordered some 30" tiny led light strips approx 40p each (see photo) mine are coloured but white/yellow are available although aren't remote controlled (must be useful for something) I dont think it would take much work to connect the string to the remote tea light bases as they both use the same batteries.[​IMG]
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Could be ok. If you wanted to disguise a bit more you could dirty up the windows a bit as well.
    Toto
     
  3. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Measure the supply voltage and current and you could control the Leds from the Arduino, individually or them all via a relay.
    Paul
     
  4. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Paul? ... 'hard dinna u know' ? .. oh yeah lets just nip to the dark side!
    Ian vt
     
  5. ed

    ed Full Member

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    Could be useful, did you get them from flea bay Ian?

    Wonder how long the batteries last (without going to the dark side) :scratchchin:

    Ed
     
  6. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Yes to fleabay Ed (under tealights/tiny Led's) I reckon with the remote control the batteries should last a reasonable length of time. The strips might come in useful for coach lighting, if they are too bright you could cover some led's I reckon the base would fit. If not I think you could take the electrikery gubbins and battery holder out of the base (for 50p each worth a shot) :scratchchin:
    Ian vt

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  7. ed

    ed Full Member

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    Just thinking the strips might be useful for general building lighting, saves trying to connect everything to an accessory bus.

    I'll have a look.

    Thanks Ian.

    Ed
     
  8. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Further to the above I've now had the tea lights and the strips on for 6 consecutive hours and still glowing but will keep you updated on total time...
    17th Dec ...10 hours & counting ....

    Ian vt
     
  9. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    21 hours no change now that's a lot of play... running time ...
     
  10. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    This will be interesting to see just how long they'll last. Good stuff Ian.
     
  11. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Yep Toto leaving them on overnight ... I'm keen myself to see how long they last ... bet his nibs could work it out and be pretty accurate ... with dark side magic dust

    Ian vt
     
  12. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    31 hours and as bright as ever ... next step a crude conversion for coach lighting.. I say crude as I only have a tatty old Triang short southern one and it's a feasibility study rather than a serious project (Busch do a Xmas tree with lights for £24.99 each.. my trees were from a £1 shop (8 in a packet) in the UK so total for each about 60p).
    -------
    35 hours now impressive and being Leds I suspect they won't dim before cutting out.

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  13. jakesdad13

    jakesdad13 Staff Member Moderator

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    I found some of those lamps in the Christmas deck's box from a couple of years back, on still worked when switched on, and it had been on all through that Christmas.

    Pete.
     
  14. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Well we're into the 45th hour and like goodun innit ...

    Ianvt

    Attached files [​IMG]
     
  15. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    56 hours still going (glowing) how many months pla... running time is that?

    Ian vt :scratchchin:
     
  16. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    Ok so it's now 77 hours and I reckon they'll go right through Xmas (after all the battery normally keeps a watch going for a couple of years). So we've established the feasibility of the battery life, what's next is to miniaturize the remote switch/battery holder for fitting into carriages etc. I'll have to wait until January for the remote tea lights to arrive before I can do that but It's already looking good as a cheap way to have lighting on a dc layout (and no worry about having to compensate for dimming when the speed drops in carriages) also no wiring into accessory bus wires. Watch this space.

    Ian vt
     
  17. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I reckon you're just starting on the slippery slope down to the "Dark Side", Ian!:avatar::avatar::avatar:

    Keith.
     
  18. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    I hope not mate this is a not too subtle sabotage plot.

    Ian vt :scratchchin:
     
  19. ianvolvo46

    ianvolvo46 Staff Member Moderator

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    101 hours .. it's like obsessing about paint drying!

    Ian vt :facepalm:
     
  20. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Just bought a set of 50 warm white Leds with a 4.5V power supply (3 x AA battery holder even includes batteries) reduced to clear at either £1.50 or £3.00 from Tesco - may be paying another visit later :whatever:.

    Now 4.5 volts is an interesting value - looking at your arduino you may have the option to change between 5.0V and 3.3V, so using this supply there is the opportunity to give the dark side a real good trip out.

    Paul
     

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