Quote from: Dreadhawk on April 08, 2015, 01:07:06 PMQuote from: Total Legend on April 08, 2015, 12:09:31 PM
I created my own LED strips with styrene and single LEDs I bought from DigiKey.
I cut strips of styrene, drilled several holes for the LED holders, and just plugged the LEDs in — then did some soldering/wiring. I made sure to not make the LEDs point outwards towards the glass since it would have a very non-uniformed look (LEDs are brighter at the tips). Instead, I built the strips of LEDs to flood the a small chamber with light, that is then diffused by the glass to make it look like a solid piece.
The diffused glass I had cut at Tap Plastics. It was only a few bucks at the time.
So I count 14 LEDs per strip at a 90-degree angle?, which you're saying floods the chamber with indirect light? Is the entirety of the chamber natural white like the styrene?
I've tried to teach myself basic electronics but just can't grasp it for some reason. I've got all the individual parts but I can't seem to find the right type of circuit boards. I imagine if I knew enough, I could just splice them all together with wires like you have, but I don't really know how. Are there any websites you think might better explain than a guidebook that came with a beginner's circuitry set? Lol.
Yes, the chamber is pure white like the styrene. It reflects well.
I didn't use any circuit boards, I soldered the wires and resisters to each LED and onto a 3-way rocker switch and a 3xAA battery pack. Last year I went a bit more fancy and used Molex connectors to make it all modular. I didn't use any sites to help me, so I couldn't refer any.
But someone on Cosplay.com did ask me for help on a wiring diagram and I sent her the one I drew up on Photoshop.
Although somewhat complex with larger designs, and with a 3-way rocker switch, the basics of my design is that you can add or remove LEDs as needed without having to worry about changing the voltage; and each LED is independent, so one LED in a chain going out will not take out the others or change the voltage.
After this was setup in my N7 Armor, I just did the math regarding battery mAh output and LED mAh consumption and I ended up with about 14 straight hours of battery life in full brightness, which was more than enough for the estimated 3 total hours I wore it that weekend.