Enterprise-E Nacelle lights modification
#1
Posted 21 May 2009 - 02:33 AM
I have not done much electronics work prior to this, and was hoping if someone who has done this modification before can throw up some instructions on how to perform the modification, explain what sort of equipment I will need besides two Blue LEDs (and possibly two Red LEDs for the bussard collectors), and include a couple pictures of what the internals of the nacelles look like. Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks! (The Enterprise just doesn't quite look correct without glowing blue nacelles )!
#2
Posted 21 May 2009 - 09:06 PM
when I hear more I will post.
#3
Posted 22 May 2009 - 12:23 AM
#4
Posted 22 May 2009 - 02:22 AM
#5
Posted 22 May 2009 - 02:56 PM
It appears that AA used rice bulbs for the light source.
The inside of the nacelle is tinted blue an red on the top.
I have purchased several LED's and soldering supplies and shrink tape, MAY THE GREAT EXPERIMENT BEGIN!
#6
Posted 22 May 2009 - 03:04 PM
#7
Posted 22 May 2009 - 04:39 PM
The first test for the blue LED's...
Well, if Thomas E. Johnson has any suggestions feel free...
K'plA!
#8
Posted 22 May 2009 - 05:48 PM
Question : What did you use to do the windows? I'm wanting to do that with my E .
#9
Posted 22 May 2009 - 06:15 PM
I still need to replace the two other bulbs, I don't know why more people do this? Very straight forward.
#10
Posted 22 May 2009 - 06:22 PM
It's a Sharpie ultra-fine point medium gray.
Also the LED's I used for the bussards are actually pink, and they turn out amazing.
#11
Posted 22 May 2009 - 06:29 PM
Very cool looking ! how do you seperate the halves of the ship and the nacelles?
#12
Posted 22 May 2009 - 06:38 PM
this project is easier than I had anticipated, I have only put in about 3-4 hours into this and the nacelles are practically done, there is a fit issue that I wish to address and after I put the other two white LED's in place this thing should be b*tchin'.
Why did AA/DST not use LED's in the first place the rice bulbs used are incredibly faint.
#13
Posted 22 May 2009 - 07:22 PM
#14
Posted 22 May 2009 - 07:24 PM
this project is easier than I had anticipated, I have only put in about 3-4 hours into this and the nacelles are practically done, there is a fit issue that I wish to address and after I put the other two white LED's in place this thing should be b*tchin'.
Why did AA/DST not use LED's in the first place the rice bulbs used are incredibly faint.
That's beautiful Brando! Looks like a successful mission. I have some questions:
Did you have to split the entire ship, or can you just just separate the nacelle parts?
Both LEDs you used are exactly 3.5V?
Where did Soldering come in?
How do you suggest splitting the wire so that both blue and red LEDs in the nacelle can receive power?
Did you use a Large Blue LED and a small red one from radio shack?
Thanks!
#15
Posted 22 May 2009 - 07:46 PM
Having said this I now know ho to improve on it. I used the existing wire only and solder. I did not take the pylons apart. If I had this part may have been easier.
Beware! The nacelles on the inner most side where there looks to be a tab, it is not. Don't try wrenching it out, like me.
I cut the rice bulb out carefully, keeping the wire and bulb intact. It may be noted that the LED will work with the rice bulb, however, the rice bulb is very faint and will not be as spectacular. I placed the two blue rectangular LED's close to the middle of the nacelle. I suppose you could solder new wire to put two more blue LED's in, but I can't say if it will work. But it will support a pink LED for the bussard. The pink seems to give the bussards depth. I recommend painting the interior of the nacelles black where the hull is supposed to be, there is some pink bleed through if you do not take this step. Several coats of black paint on both halves will work.
Placing the blue LED's first will maximize the length for the bussard LED's, also using as little tape for insulation as possible is recommended.
I did not replace the bridge light or the Deflector, the thing looks good as it is I think, I may have to though, to be consistent.
K'plA!
#16
Posted 22 May 2009 - 07:51 PM
Super High Brightness
Rectangular Blue LED 3.2-3.8 V
and
5mm High Brightness
Pink LED 3.5-4 V
I hope this won't catch fire...
#17
Posted 22 May 2009 - 09:59 PM
#18
Posted 22 May 2009 - 10:07 PM
#19
Posted 23 May 2009 - 12:30 AM
Yeah a pic of the wiring would be much appreciated, especially a detailed shot at the internal nacelle work so I can duplicate it. Thanks!
#20
Posted 23 May 2009 - 01:18 AM
And I took it back to this...
The tape use should be minimal. Also I suggest applying a small amount of solder before hand, so it's cleaner and less chunky. The chunkiness lead to a fit issue for the port nacelle.
the finished product...
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