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Other uses for LEDs

Paul B

Paul B

NJRC Member
After I installed LEDs on my tank I looked for other uses for these great, energy saving devices. I have been using them for various indication lights since they were invented but now they make them much more powerful and you can use them for general lighting. I am sure that in a few years, they will be the only lighting available for just about everything.
On my boat I have what in a car would be called courtesy lights. We use them on the boat when we anchor at night to light up the cabin area but I don't like leaving them on all night because of the drain on the battery.
I have begun replacing the incandescent lights with DIY LED bulbs.
This one pictures in the construction stage replaces the bulb on the workbench. It is the same size, puts out the same amount of light but uses 15 times less power so I can run it continousely with no fear of killing the battery.
They do sell some types of 12 volt LED bulbs but they are almost $30.00 and I have not seen this type, although it may be out there someplace. Besides I like building things. This one cost me $5.00. The completed model has no wires visable and it plugs into the same socket as the other "rea" bulb.
I love this stuff.

IMG_1148.jpg
 
Paul B

Paul B

NJRC Member
Can you solder? That is the main thing. These LEDs are mounted in a thin piece of acrylic that I drilled holes in. The LEDs are glued in with GOOP as you can't use hot gun glue (it is too hot) The copper ring is there to give it stability so it does not break when I push it into the socket.
 
S

SHLUZER

Could you please give more details on this project - which exactly LED, etc.
I've recently broke my mast light and would like to try and build something like that.
 
Paul B

Paul B

NJRC Member
I've recently broke my mast light and would like to try and build something like that.
Click to expand...
It would be harder to make a mast light from LEDs because a mast light must have 360 degree visability and LEDs are directional. I get them from "ModelTrainsSoftware.com".
To make a mast light you would need about 8 or 10 of them and position them in a circle with the tops facing out. I will also probably replace my mast light with LEDs and that is what I will do. There is enough room in a mast light housing to acomplish that.
 
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