I like LEDs. Some people say they like the look of bulbs better, because LEDs are too bright and harsh. Obviously, they've never explored the way in which resistance can be added to create all kinds of effects that are actually very "bulb-like."
I often use the Richmond Controls SMD LEDs from Ulrich with attached leads when I need tiny lights. In fact, I have some on order right now. I needed one to update the Tomar drumhead kit for the "San Juan" for my Durango parlor car to use an LED instead of a bulb. But I was looking locally for something that might work. I came across these "Rice Light" LED strings at Hobby Lobby.
\]
After some experimentation, I had the drumhead fitted. Anyway, not quite SMD territory, but significantly smaller than a standard LED. They're also easy to find at HF, where the cost is $7.99 or 40% cheaper with the weekly coupon. At 40 cents each, they're almost 10 times cheaper than the SMD LEDs and will work in many cases where those must otherwise be used. The easiest thing to do is to cut them out of the string just past where the top of the LED is encased in epoxy. Another source makes great lighting for passenger car interiors, LED strip lighting carried by Radio Shack. At $30 for a meter length, it sounds pricey. However, that much provides 13 of the 3 LED units, so you actually get a lot for that price. Most cars require only two sections to light up (one in the case of the NG Durango). Here's pics of installations in the Durango and a standard gauge car.
After some experimentation, I had the drumhead fitted.
Anyway, not quite SMD territory, but significantly smaller than a standard LED. They're also easy to find at HF, where the cost is $7.99 or 40% cheaper with the weekly coupon. At 40 cents each, they're almost 10 times cheaper than the SMD LEDs and will work in many cases where those must otherwise be used. The easiest thing to do is to cut them out of the string just past where the top of the LED is encased in epoxy. Another source makes great lighting for passenger car interiors, LED strip lighting carried by Radio Shack. At $30 for a meter length, it sounds pricey. However, that much provides 13 of the 3 LED units, so you actually get a lot for that price. Most cars require only two sections to light up (one in the case of the NG Durango). Here's pics of installations in the Durango and a standard gauge car.
Anyway, not quite SMD territory, but significantly smaller than a standard LED. They're also easy to find at HF, where the cost is $7.99 or 40% cheaper with the weekly coupon. At 40 cents each, they're almost 10 times cheaper than the SMD LEDs and will work in many cases where those must otherwise be used. The easiest thing to do is to cut them out of the string just past where the top of the LED is encased in epoxy.
Another source makes great lighting for passenger car interiors, LED strip lighting carried by Radio Shack. At $30 for a meter length, it sounds pricey. However, that much provides 13 of the 3 LED units, so you actually get a lot for that price. Most cars require only two sections to light up (one in the case of the NG Durango). Here's pics of installations in the Durango and a standard gauge car.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Look at this website. led-switch.com
retsignalmtr Look at this website. led-switch.com
Looks like good stuff, but still mail order. Sometimes convenience is worth a few cents more. YMMV
One thing I forgot to note about these Rice Lights is that they are Warm White, which can be hard to find and is often a nicer light than the bluish cast in many white LEDs.
I've got a correction. I earlier figured the RS strip lighting units (3 LEDs mounted to be powered as one unit) were 3 inches long, so there would be 13 of them in the one meter section that retails for $29.99. Looking at them today, I got to thinking, "There's more!" Turns out each unit of 3 is less than 3" long. In fact, there are 20 of the 3-LED units that are just less than 2" long -if you count the extra one they use for a sales aid that is connected with a battery to blind the customer. So this stuff looks like an even better deal than I figured.
But wait! There's more!
It turns out that each of the 3 LEDs that appear to make up each unit actually consists of 3 smaller LEDs embedded behind a siongle translucent base. Once you throw in enough resistance, the LED dims to the point where you see each of the 3 points of light in the LED. What's cool about this effect is that it could be made to look like a lighting fixture in a room.
Here's a pic of them throttled down so the "individual bulb" effect is visible. Everything around them looks dark, because I had to use a very fast shutter speed to record them with the light saturating the camera sensor. The translucent cover over the three points of light is about 1 scale foot HO in diameter or 9/64".
My guess is that each 3 LED unit could be dissected into individual LEDs with a little work so that they could be used individually. You'd have to play around with the power needs as single units, but should be around 4 volts.
Cheap Sources: On EBay, I have been buying 50 and 100 lots of 3mm round and flat top wrm white LEDs from various Chinese sources- free shipping, prices for the lots generally under $5.00. Same with 470 and 1000 ohm resistors.
As many are now using those very small LEDs on a strip, as referenced above, the same offshore sources also sell these at low prices, which will be my next supply purchase.
I remember just a few years ago, when after-Xmas sales of then-new LED string lights were a cheap source for modelers, but direct ordering the type and size of LED as I have been doing is now far more cost-effective.
If you think hobby stores are a dying breed, try looking for a local electronics parts source in your area, apart from Radio Shack (which is definitely NOT cost-effective). Even then, don't expect the clerk to even have a clue as to what you are looking for in those parts drawers tucked away at the rear of the store!
Cedarwoodron
Cedarwoodron,
A couple of comments about Xmas lights. One advanatage they tend to have is that the LEDs tend to match each other. No personal experience with ordering LED lots from China via ebay, but some friends swear by it. They only note that the LED lots will often have a lot of variability in terms of light output and color temp. Not a problem if used individually, but for other purposes -- street lights, for instance -- you often want a pretty good match, so the Xmas light source may work better.
In searching around to stock up while the stores had them, I found only one source locally for the Warm White LED white Xmas lights -- Target. It's also possible they stock this item all year round for patio and other outdoor use, so might be worth checking. They were ~$8 for a string of 50 in December.
MIght want to take a look at the cheap 9 led flashlights. They don't last long, but it's the switch that gives up, the LED's are still okay. I've found the flashlights in packs of three, for less than five bucks. Pretty big though.
Rich.
Rich,
Briliant idea!
I buy all of my LEDs from modeltrainsowftware.com. They offer them for all types of power,and they are not that expensive if you take into account the eBay time, the varability in quality, etc. I don't have time for that; I just want LEDs that work and work well.
Have fun!
Dan
HDA Modelworkx
http://hdamodelworx.com/leds.html