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 Posted - November 04 2011 : 4:31:53 PM
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I have began adding LED light strings to my custom glittered Christmas cars i made a couple of years ago. This train will preview to the public on NOV 12th 2011 at The 44th Annual Southern Christmas show which is held yearly in Charlotte NC. I found the LED lights on ebay -Cheap which gave me the idea. I am planning a video of reaction - Going to be the coolest train on the layout and more than likely a crowd pleaser. The lights are battery powered - originally 3 1.5 volt AA - after some experimenting - found they would burn on 3 volts. I had to do some modifications on the power supply to get these to work as the lights and wires take up a lot of inside space - there are 36 LEDs per car and they are BRIGHT - trying to find a flasher that will make them blink - needs to be an inline type the size of a small resistor or capacitor.
Edited by - Brianstyco on November 08 2011 11:00:55 PM
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 4:53:43 PM
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Brianstyco,
Glad to see you back and just in time for the Christmas. I'll bet those will be pleasers at the train display. Looks like it took a good amount of effort too, very bright.
Keep us posted!
Alco Fan
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 6:04:45 PM
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| AlcoFan - I did the blue lights first - took me over 4 hrs on this car as it was the first one i wired. The red car only took an hr -maybe a little more. Waiting on my colored strand of LED's. I have one more set of Blue and one set of RED left. Trying to find some white strands as these seem to sell out faster than any other color. Trying to find a Green strand - no luck so far.
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 6:30:43 PM
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Very nice work there Brian! Is the LED's track or battery powered?
" Heck with counting 'em rivets, TRAINS ARE FOR FUN! Not called the Mad Scientist for nothing either!"
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 6:32:22 PM
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Battery powered
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 7:15:45 PM
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Very cool, Brian. I'm sure the kids will go nuts over it... seems like you're upping the stakes every year.
Any idea how long the batteries will power all those LED's? Of course you can parallel the AA's for more life, assuming you have the room.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 7:48:51 PM
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Very Nice Brian!
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Posted - November 04 2011 : 11:21:36 PM
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NP - Don't know how long they will last = I am using Duracell AA and will have extra in hand should they die - These will be ran up to 12 hrs+ on a few days. pretty sure will have to change out at least once. Batteries are in a single line due to space
Thank You all for the comments so far - APPRECIATE ALL FEEDBACK
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Posted - November 05 2011 : 12:26:04 PM
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go buy rechargeables  I recommend the Ray-O-Vacs 
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Posted - November 05 2011 : 6:56:19 PM
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K-mart has mini-strings of battery-powered lights in pale yellow and red and green. About 50 mini LEDs on the string. They're $7.99 in Virginia. I bought one of the white/yellow strings to see what it'd look like. Those are rather pale, haven't bought the red and green variety yet, low funds. Thought they'd work good for something like you're doing, just not as bright, Then again, I was using old AA batteries I had in a bin. 
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - November 05 2011 : 11:17:05 PM
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| Jerry - i experimented with these - they are no-where near the brightness of these that i ordered off ebay for 4.99 free shipping - thats a steal
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Posted - November 06 2011 : 7:44:54 PM
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| Lookin' good Brian! You sell these on ebay do you not? I look forward to the video
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Posted - November 08 2011 : 11:00:27 PM
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| Cheezman - Haven't sold any of these lighted ones - just did these over last week and still wiring up some others. I couldn't sell these cheap if i did sell them.
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Posted - November 10 2011 : 11:14:14 AM
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I have a friend who is a GENIUS at fixing electronic stuff & he gets his LEDs factory diret from China  I'll find out what he'd charge for them as he gets them for pennies
If I buy something for oh $1 or less he thinks it too much money Cheapskate
Edited by - microbusss on November 10 2011 11:15:20 AM
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Posted - December 21 2011 : 8:33:14 PM
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Brian,
Have you used your Cristmas decorated train and lighted cars anywhere else, at church maybe?
Alco Fan
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Posted - December 21 2011 : 11:00:42 PM
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quote:Brian,
Have you used your Cristmas decorated train and lighted cars anywhere else, at church maybe?
Originally posted by Alco Fan - December 21 2011 : 8:33:14 PM
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Alco Fan - No - haven't had time as work this year has been really busy compared to last year - a blessing though - on vacation till DEC 27th work for 4 days off new years monday then regular grind again until we get snow ;)
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