Navigation lights

Started by NickD
24 replies 44 likes Last activity: 3 years ago
#25

Navigation lights

Thanks Rod on the info for a SMD, I've seen them but never knew what they were called. Len
LEN1
#24

Navigation lights

Sorry no photos yet just forward planning
#23

Navigation lights

SMD = Surface Mount Device, that is, a chip LED, transistor, capacitor, resistor

As opposed to an axial lead device, those 2-contact devices with a solid, rigid wire emerging from each end of the resistor or capacitor or diode

On another note: Each colour of LED & size requires different energy. Each colour requires a certain voltage across the internal LED junction. The difference between the power source voltage & what the LED requires is absorbed by the series resistor, often referred to as the ballast resistor.
VA3ROD
Liked by Len1 and Fred and
#22

Navigation lights

Fred, pardon my ignorance but what is a SMD
LEN1
Liked by RodC
#21

Navigation lights

Nick.
A few more pics if they help you.
Bill
Never give up.It will come right in the end.
Liked by Doogle and RodC
#20

Navigation lights

Hi Nick
Please post some pics of your running (side) light fittings so we can advise how to fit the Leds
dave976
#18

Navigation lights

Agreed in all aspects of the virtues of the LED's. Cool operating, long life, and a host of available colors. The smallest "chips" can fit into tiny places and easily light up running lights, deck lights, and if run on lower voltage than what they're rated at will produce a lower brightness.
"Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment." Will Rogers.
Liked by Len1
#16

Navigation lights

Nick.
Some pictures at 1/72 scale.
I have more I will find later for you,busy with Grandchildren at the mo.
Bill
Never give up.It will come right in the end.
Liked by RodC
#15

Navigation lights

Take a look at Temu, they have a range of pre-wired LEDs in a range of colours and types. They are really cheap.
Some of their tools are not bad as well.
Liked by Len1
#14

Navigation lights

I am currently make a boat at 1:12 scale and have made my navigation lights (see photos). The red LED requires less voltage than the green, and a resistor is required to reduce the voltage so they can both operate safely on 3v. The port light has the resistor mounted in a small box immediately behind the LED.
Hope this helps 😉
Liked by Peejay
#13

Navigation lights

Nick
This chart will help with the size of the resistor, as for the the type of lamp holder all I used was an off the shelf lamp fitting that I got from Cornwell Models, and fitted the SMD's that I posted in answer 9 into the body, don't forget you can get all sizes of prewired SMD's
That's all right, Mr Ryan. My Morse is so rusty, I could be sending him dimensions on Playmate of the Month.
Liked by Peejay
#12

Navigation lights

Hi Nick.
I will post some pictures later for you busy at the mo👍👍
Never give up.It will come right in the end.
#11

Navigation lights

The life of the LED is not the problem, its how they are fitted to look authentic is the issue......photos would help please.
Liked by dave976
#10

Navigation lights

Hi Nick
LEDS are long life and as Fred says they last a long time. Certainly my experience. They are however extremely intolerant to too high a voltage and current, even for a microsecond. Once blown they are toast. That is why a series resistor is placed in line between the power supply and one of the LED leads. The How to Pages have articles describing the details. You can use electronic devices that reduce the voltage to a safe level and remove the need for the resistor. However different coloured Leds require different voltages so resistors are sometimes the best option, especially for Red and Green types.
cheers
Dave
Liked by Peejay and Len1 and
#9

Navigation lights

NickD
I have LED's in one of my boat that have been in use for the last four years and still going strong, it has been said that a LED's can last up to 5,000hrs, I am now starting to replace the grain of rice with LED's and SMD's, I have just ordered some pre wired SMD's from Aliexpress, 40 (1206) SMD's for £7.69
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001975757258.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.417c18021cOWsa
Fred
That's all right, Mr Ryan. My Morse is so rusty, I could be sending him dimensions on Playmate of the Month.
Liked by Colin H and Scratchbuilder
#7

Navigation lights

I have bulbs a various correct colours and voltages, it's just the way they are fitted to look authentic and easily removable when LED dies for replacement. 🤔
Liked by Colin H and Scratchbuilder
#6

Navigation lights

Marker lights (housings) come in various shapes and sizes. Are you talking about those on masts or small boats, ships, etc. Are you looking for the bulbs themselves or the whole housing? Question needs to be more specific.
Lew
Florida, USA
A link for some tips:
https://evandesigns.com/pages/tips-for-using-leds
https://www.RCFlorida.org/lmb
Liked by Len1 and Colin H and
#5

Navigation lights

Thanks, I was going to use LED's just wondered hiw you mounted them on the sides please?🤔
Liked by Colin H and Scratchbuilder
#4

Navigation lights

Red and Green LEDs, they work on 3volts, if using higher voltage you will need resistors in the circuit to reduce the voltage 👍
Liked by Rookysailor and Len1 and
#3

Navigation lights

I also have been using LED for my lighting needs. Readily available in red ; green and other colors. They can be turned on and run for many hours with very little battery usage.
Rick
Liked by Len1 and Colin H and
#2

Navigation lights

What scale? There are fittings available in the larger scales, but I have wrapped colored LED’s with trim tape to simulate the bottom and top of a light bulb and painted the ends.
So many ships . . . and so little time . . .
Liked by AlessandroSPQR and Len1 and
#1

Navigation lights

What do you use for illuminated Port ans Starboard marker lights please?
Liked by Colin H and Peejay

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