Author Topic: Water feature lamp.....  (Read 11367 times)

Offline Divided he ad

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Water feature lamp.....
« on: October 31, 2008, 10:02:06 PM »
Well this is an oddity for my brothers father in law..... The things you get roped into!!!

 :worthless:

I love this banner!!!  :thumbup:  :clap:


Now on with  the post!

The offending article. The large stone is to have water pouring out through the little hole that you can see in the middle of the large through hole. This little hole is reportedly 33 mm dia and needs the light to drop into it.... So The following is the best I could come up with to follow my brothers idea.

 


Now the artist rendering from brother of mine (he should have gone into drawing.... this is a 2 min' sketch!!!)



So I started....The cap.



Then the main body.





The boring..



The cap on the main body...




Set the mill to drill the led holes ay 10 degrees (slight upward angle to aid the light flow in the water)






Then the fiddly bit... Well I did electronics in school so the soldering is easy. Unless your soldering iron blows up just after the second solder.... Blacking out the whole house!!! Good job I have 2 gas irons too  ;D








Then the test of the lighting..




Not too shabby me thinks!?

The light as of the end of tonight....









I'll get a few pic's of when it is in the feature (could be a few weeks!)



Not a bad evenings work I think!  :thumbup:



Ralph.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2009, 04:46:15 PM by Divided he ad »
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2008, 10:17:26 PM »
Very cool Ralph. I have something similar to post up in the next day or so (on a much simpler scale), I won't hijack your thread. Can't wait to see it in place. This is definitely on theme with the board. Good job!

Eric
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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2008, 10:25:09 PM »
Quick question...

I think I know the answer, but are those soldered in series or in-line? They look like in series.

Eric
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2008, 10:34:06 PM »
Glad you like it Eric... It would be a bit of a downer if it were slated after the hours spend crafting the damn thing!!  ;D


Series it is... Well if my high school memory serves me that is!!??  ???

I worked it to run from 12V dc as instructed... Only a 1ohm resistor required in the power lead.

According to the LED calculator I found on the interweb last year.... Very handy....


http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz



Ralph.

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Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2008, 10:44:05 PM »
Thanks for the link. It will come in handy very shortly for me as I plan to do some 'light art' shortly (well i hope to at least)

Eric
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #5 on: November 01, 2008, 10:13:09 AM »
What you making??? is it under 3oZ!!!??  :D

Sorry... Light art.... Had to be a crappy joke in there somewhere!!


I await the thread.........



Well come on, I'm waiting!  :hammer:




Ralph.
I know what I know and need to know more!!!

Offline Bernd

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #6 on: November 02, 2008, 08:32:39 AM »
Nice job Ralph. :bugeye:

I hope that part is made from stainless or some other rust proof metal.  :hammer:

Ever think of going into buisness doing stuff like this?

Can't wait to see the results.

Bernd
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #7 on: November 02, 2008, 03:01:52 PM »
Hi Bernd,

The part is aluminium, it should be ok for non salt water applications  ???  Well car engine componants seem to be ok with it !?

The cap is going to be sealed on when the power lead is in, I will use clear silicone sealant, cause it is a powerfull gluing agent and once set is waterproof. So the electrical parts will be fully protected. even if the water gets into the shell it will not affect the LED leads or the wires. (I've put LED's into water many times and even unprotected they still work!! It may affect the battery a little but it still shines!!)

Production... Not with the amount of time I took on this! Admittedly I had a concept drawing and I drew a few little 'internals' ideas on paper first but it was once again muchly developed on the fly (yes Eric I was sat on the back of a small flying insect that helps me design metalic wonders!!  :D  ;) )
I am one of those make it as it is needed sorts... I couldn't get 2 parts exactly the same using dials if I tried.... I'm crap at that. Maybe I'll get better with time?  I could never re-create an exact of any of my torches or engines... They are all originals and never are two exactly alike! I think it makes everything a bit more special that way  :thumbup:

Anyway, My brother came round today and has given the design and build the seal of approval... Now just the wire and a small resistor and I'll deliver it and get a few photo's  ;D



Ralph.
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Offline MadModder

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #8 on: November 02, 2008, 03:56:19 PM »
Nice work.  :thumbup:

Looks like they're connected in parallel.
If it were in series, it would just be one wire connecting them. ;)

There's one downside going the parallel way. First you add the current they use, lets say 4*20mA wich is 80mA. You calculate the correct resistor value. Everything works. But, LEDs are not an exact science. Every LED is individual, and has different forward voltages. +/-0,1V or so. If anyone dies, the one with the least forward voltage will die first, and then there are only 3 working, and they need only 60mA, but the resistor is calculated for 80mA. Then the rest will follow the first one to the grave very soon.
This might happen after a day, or after several years. You never know.  :D

Putting them all in series has another disadvantage. If one fails, they all go out. Or if you're unfortunate it will go out shorting itself after a time of sporadic flickering, and the others will get a too high current. Again...

The best way is to have one resistor for every LED, and then parallelling those LED+resistor modules, so to speak.  Takes more space, is slightly more expensive, but will last longer. :)
« Last Edit: November 02, 2008, 03:58:03 PM by MadModder »
Don't turn it on, take it apart!

Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2008, 04:56:44 PM »
Yep, your right.... Parallel!  Casting my mind back and then thinking about it, I remember the way to wire both.... Funny what you remember when questioned...or corrected!!! ;)  So much for my highschool memory !!(18years and counting!)  :hammer:

I haven't done such for so long it is all a bit hazy.... I have mostly just done what works!!

The 1 resistor per LED would be pretty awkward in the confined space... But I may look into it? ... Looked into it and the results are as follows...

Currently the parallel display would require 1x8.2ohm resistor rated 1/4 watt (the same if it was in series)

If it were 1 resistor per LED then 4x470ohm resistors would be required Rated at 1/2 watt

Issues at this time....      #1/ the fitting of 4 resistors into the confined space.
                                   #2/ the purchase of 4 1/2 watt resistors (all mine are 1/4 watt rated) this is more about hassle than cost!
                                   #3/ the fact that it works, and I can always repair/make another if it goes pearshaped!!
                                   #4/ Quote from LED center....
Quote
"When you buy a package of light bulbs, you’ll see a number on the box that says something like “Life: 1125 hours.” This is defined as the time it takes for 50% of test samples to burn out. But there’s really not a standard definition like this for LEDs—they gradually decrease in brightness instead of “burning out.” The number 100,000 hours (about 11 years) gets mentioned a lot. Since an LED is a diode, even after it ceases to produce light, it will still use power."
Thus meaning it should be good with a blown LED for a while  :thumbup:



I have many items linked in this way that have worked for many hours and not yet failed... I have yet too see one that I own go out, and that's a lot of LED's!!


I thank you for your input MM, I think we all need a kick in the a#@ now and again!! I will try to do better with any electronicals in future  ;D


I started this post at about 20:30 GMT now it's nearly 22:00.... That's what happens when you spend time researching your answers!!



Still happy to have learnt a great deal this evening :thumbup:



Ralph.
I know what I know and need to know more!!!

Offline Brass_Machine

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #10 on: November 02, 2008, 05:22:58 PM »
Nice work.  :thumbup:

Looks like they're connected in parallel.
If it were in series, it would just be one wire connecting them. ;)



Good catch! I knew what I meant... My terminology was all wrong!

Eric
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2009, 07:36:59 PM »
Well it's been a while since I made this.... Here is a little update.....


This was returned to me 2 weeks ago.... 




I wonder if the keen eyed amongst you can see why?    :zap:    :doh:




No.... It was not my fault.... bruvs father in law decided to fit a power transformer from his domestic lighting circuit..... At near 40 volts  :bugeye:    :zap:   



It was only set to run on 12V!!



So this evening was spent replacing all the burnt out componants and wiring and then finding a power supply that was capable (old mobile charger) and fitting new power sockets to it all!!!    :bang: 




I should have a piccy or two of this working soon now?    :)   





Just thought I'd update you, some of you had maybe thought I'd forgotten this thread?









Ralph.







I know what I know and need to know more!!!

Offline PTsideshow

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #12 on: June 11, 2009, 09:59:46 PM »
 :doh: OPPS! In the states that would be a person suffering from the Tim Allens disease.

MORE POWER! MORE POWER! His tag line from his TV show home improvement.   

It always amazes me how people get along in this world today with out a basic knowledge of wall worts and the different voltages. And the fact that different items use different ones  :bang:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:
glen
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Offline Bernd

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #13 on: June 14, 2009, 09:11:23 PM »
I was wondering about this thread a couple of times.

Bernd
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #14 on: June 15, 2009, 07:36:23 PM »
Ah yes... Home improvements.... Very funny.... Often true to life  :bugeye:     :lol:



I'll find out if it's working now..... I haven't even had a thank you yet?!



More to come......




Ralph.
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Offline Darren

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #15 on: June 15, 2009, 07:39:54 PM »
Thank you Ralph.... :thumbup:
You will find it a distinct help… if you know and look as if you know what you are doing. (IRS training manual)

Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #16 on: June 15, 2009, 07:49:14 PM »
Your welcome chief...... But I meant from his father in law!!   :lol:    For repairing it over 2 of my precious hours!!   :bang:




Anyway.... It's all good fun isn't it!?!?!????    :doh:





Ralph.
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Offline Darren

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #17 on: June 15, 2009, 07:53:21 PM »
Your welcome chief...... But I meant from his father in law!!   :lol: 
Ralph.

I just thought at least one "thanks" would chear you up a little.....give me his No- and I'll give him a  :poke:

  :ddb: :ddb:
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Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #18 on: June 15, 2009, 08:26:08 PM »
 :lol:


Fair enough.... I'll keep it in mind  :thumbup:


I was going to go for  :wack:     :)






Ralph.
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Offline SPiN Racing

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #19 on: June 20, 2009, 01:56:21 AM »
Ohhh nice crusty black resistors.

Lucas?

And do you have a jar of smoke you can fix it with?

(Insert slew of British automotive wiring jokes here)


 :zap:


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SPiN Racing

Offline usn ret

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #20 on: June 20, 2009, 06:42:03 PM »
As requested the Brit car wiring jokes begin here____ http://www3.telus.net/bc_triumph_registry/smoke.htm  .
Just what every Brit car operator/driver/mechanic needs... :beer: :beer:
Cliff :zap:
« Last Edit: June 20, 2009, 06:44:24 PM by usn ret »
If it isn't broken your not looking hard enough!

Offline Divided he ad

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Re: Water feature lamp.....
« Reply #21 on: June 23, 2009, 06:54:39 PM »
I bet it went very much :zap:   and a little mushroom cloud too?? 

you gotta love the replacement smoke!?!     :lol:



I've instructed my brother to get some pic's ..... But dad in law is on holiday!  :doh:



Soon..... I hope?




Ralph.

I know what I know and need to know more!!!