I am building a backdrop ( Payne Grey covered plastic with the lightning bolt left clear ) which includes Lightning and Thunder. I need a light source that will shine brightly through the clear plastic lightning bolt. I need it to have a push button on my panel and will only flash once when I hit the buttom. I am thinking about using a strobe light but I would love to hear some other suggestions.
Harold
Harold,
Been thinking about your lightning effect. Are you sure you want exactly one flash? Because a lot of the time, lighning happens in multiple strikes. That why it sometime seems to flicker, even though it appears as part of one big flash to the naked eye. Stop motion photography clearly show the multiple flashes.
IIRC, the first is the brightest usually, with the others bening somewhat less. Maybe you need a burst setting instead to give you 3 to 6 flashes really close together? Even better would be one with a randomly variable number of flashes.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Has anyone used the Stick up 9 LED lamps? I want to know how bright they are.
You already chose your background. But in the movies to simulate things like stars (before computers), they would poke holes through a sheet, apply that to a glass matt and backlight them. In theaters we used a similar backlighting effect on stage scrims. What's behind the scrim remained invisible, till a backlight was applied behind the scrim.But sometimes they would just paint them on.You coulddddd create a similar layered effect. Cut out of shape of your lighting bolt out of a thick material. Then cover the entire thing with a thin sheet or two. Then backlight it when you want the lighting to "fire". But if lit from the front alone it will be hard to notice.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
You will find some suggestions in the below link.
http://tinyurl.com/q9ozlw7
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I found a great way to create the backdrop.I tried several idea. I put a picture of a great lightning strike behind the clear plastic. I used plain white glue and draw the strike on to the plastic. I then airprushed the entire surface a dark color. I thought I would have to cut out the glue, but I found out to my delight that the glue would not stick to the plastic and just peeled off. Not to get off subject. This is why I am now working on Backlighting
I have done a lot of Arc welding when I owned My own semi's and owned my own Arc welder and it seem's to Me that it will closely resemble a lightening bolt more so than a flickering flame.....It will blind You without the proper eye lens protection, let alone be able to see what You are welding.....extremely bright white/blue light..so I would suggest, looking at Circuitron's lighting effect circuits for Arc Welder's, they make two, AW-1 and 2. Here is a link to Circuitron and You can review the description or maybe find a video of it working. The circuit is on page 41 of their PDF Catalog I'm linking too. You have to scroll down to page 41, it won't let You link to it directly:
http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/cat/301CAT.pdf
Good Luck, in Your project, sounds interesting....Love animation.
Take Care!
Frank
BTW: If You don't have that link...it's a saver...many Electronic tip's on there.
Hey Frank
The area is fairly large and the lightning bolts are about 3" long. Do you think this will this produce enough light. I looked on u tube but can not find a video.
It states that the AW-1 circuit controls the two lights that come with it..which are 1.4mm. The AW-2 can control up to 20 and they are 2.4mm. So it would be anyone one's guess....but I would say Yes, as a matter of fact, I ordered the AW-1 for the garage machine shop I am working on. Sometime ago I did see it working in a short video....but I can't remember where, I recall being impressed, cause it did look like an Arc welder flash. I'll do a liitle searching later and see if I can find it.....I might even call them and ask...I live in the same state they are in.
http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Circuitron-800-5841-AW-1-Arc-Welder-Circuit-p/cir-800-5841.htm
Edit: A real Arc welder in action. Position the light from direct viewing and it will look like lightening flashs to Me:
http://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-2891458-stock-footage-arc-welder-in-action-sparks-fly-as-it-welds-two-pieces-of-steel-together
I have added a couple of photos to give you a better idea. I area it will cover is above the mountain to the ceiling. The photo of the lightning is where I was testing color for the backdrop. The light was my work lamp.
I believe this, pic of Yours would look great with that circuit....
Ngineering.com offers a variety of kits that might be useful here. Frank's noted the similarity of welding effects and the video of the Ngineering welder in action looks like it could work for you.
http://www.ngineering.com/welder_video.htm
Click on one of the pics to download the video.
More stuff at these links:
http://www.ngineering.com/lghting%20effects%20for%20the%20railroad.htm
http://www.ngineering.com/lighting%20effect%20other%20cool%20effects.htm
Just a happy past customer. Note that the effects modules and kits are sold separately from the LEDs, which they have a very useful selection of. Their 5mm wide angle high intensity LEDs might be just what's needed to really project the effect.
http://www.ngineering.com/lightng.htm