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Electronics help


Steve_farrier

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Hi guys. 

Im after a little help. 

I have no idea when it comes to electronics, however I am building a diorama that I expect to take a few years to accomplish. 

However as I'm building each individual vehicle I'm adding LEDs either in the form of 3mm LEDs  or SMD leds all pre wired with resistors to take 12V 

 

however what id really like in the future is simply.

the ability to press a button (either actual or from smart phone) and have the display light up and make battle sounds. 

 

Id imagine there would need to be 2 circuits for lighting 

one for static constant light, the other for flashing lights

 

tgem a 3rd for sounds. 

 

Has anyone any experience of building like this? And perhaps able to draw up a simple wiring diagrams? Appreciate it might not be accurate but just something so I know what direction I need to take in future 

 

many thanks 

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I looked into this type of thing and came up with some idea how to work it.

You can look into model railroad engines with an eye to re-purposing. They come with a lot of features , timed actions , etc.

There are controllers available for the RR engines that can be programmed to suit. 

There are ways to initiate actions through movement , sound , remote control or just by a switch.

I found a series of electronic kits that go by the name Parrallax Boe bots which I thought could be re engineered easily to work.

Ngineering is a good company for the led components.

My research ended when I couldn't find a way to record the sounds that I wanted for my project, I'm sure that can be over come as well.

Micro Mark has some simple kits for the purpose you are asking about.

First thing I did was write a 'script ' detailing the timing of actions and the progression of the actions. The sequence of events etc that you want to create.

Good luck!

Edited by krow113
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  • 2 weeks later...

I'd suggest looking at the Arduino, I used one last year to make a custom lighting set up for a 1/350 USS Enterprise. It was my first time doing anything with electronics too, there is a large Arduino community with lots of tutorials & guides tho so it only took a few days to figure-out how it all worked.

 

    

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I think Woodlands Scenics is about to release models which use their proprietary lighting systems. maybe you can borrow the parts to get going? if it's a long term project, you can incorporate refinements as you go along, and learn more.

 

http://fantasonics.com/Design1.html

 

http://ittproducts.com/

 

http://www.ngineering.com/

 

https://lights4models.com/

 

https://woodlandscenics.woodlandscenics.com/show/category/ComingSoon

Edited by s.e.charles
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Hi guys thank you all for the help. 

I have a feeling I’ve sorted most of the issues in my head at least :-) 

 

simple is key for me. I think I’ve settled on modifying the LED cabinet lighting controllers from eBay. The ones that control the led tape kits. Couple the controller to my micro LEDs, a Bluetooth sound board. Then a sound/light controller the type usually used for making lights dance to music and I’m sure I can construct something to work :-) thanks all so much 

 

Edited by Steve_farrier
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  • 2 months later...
On 24/01/2018 at 13:31, Mig Eater said:

I'd suggest looking at the Arduino, I used one last year to make a custom lighting set up for a 1/350 USS Enterprise. It was my first time doing anything with electronics too, there is a large Arduino community with lots of tutorials & guides tho so it only took a few days to figure-out how it all worked.

 

    

+1 recommendation for this suggestion. Most of the early tutorials are about triggering lights and sounds so there will be something you can coopt

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