lights or no lights?

[daveat22]

I am just finishing HMS Victory by Corel which has taken me about twelve years due to giving up when it came to the rigging. I am now building a cabinet with four sets of led strip lights, to keep the dust off and I am yet to decide whether to put sails on or not.

However, my question relates to my next kit which I am favouring HMS Agamemnon by Caldercraft. I am tempted to include lights within the model, so this would need to be included at an early stage, and when I say lights I appreciate that the lights would have been oil lamps, so only glimmers of lights, but with led this would be possible, perhaps in the captains cabin and between decks. 

There does not appear to be any discussions on lights, so is it considered too corny to be included?

[lamarvalley]

True dat, always your build so the builder rules but… if you're going to build a ship of that size it will be a while before you get to the light portion of the show I would think so that decision is a tad early…Imo.

 

Maybe a good way to judge opinions will be to start a build log for the HMS Agamemnon and all along the way opinions will pop like mushrooms.  

Having said that, I like the idea of the view of a ship at sea.. at night… done right I bet it would be great.

[gjdale]

There are a number of build logs here where people have used lights, and I'm sure there's also been separate discussions on the subject. Have you tried doing a search for "lighting" or "LED"?

[Azzoun]

True dat, always your build so the builder rules but… if you're going to build a ship of that size it will be a while before you get to the light portion of the show I would think so that decision is a tad early…Imo.

 

Maybe a good way to judge opinions will be to start a build log for the HMS Agamemnon and all along the way opinions will pop like mushrooms.  

Having said that, I like the idea of the view of a ship at sea.. at night… done right I bet it would be great.

mmmm Mushrrroooommmss

[daveat22]

Grant

Yes I did a search first, in fact this was the reason for joining the forum, Having joined I have been in awe at some of the detail and skill in the build logs, I was pleased with my Victory until I saw the incredible detail some of you guys put in.

Randy

yes it is a bit early but the wiring and lamps would need to go in before planking, the wires would need to thread between the bulkheads to critical areas to illuminate the cabins and through chosen gun ports, so I would need the bits fairly early. Glimpses of light coming up the stairs would be great as well. In a room with lighting levels suitable for television, or drinking wine with friends, the effect of flickering oil lamps inside the boat would be brilliant. My ceiling is 15 feet high so I could hang the boat from the ceiling just above head height, but the dust problem negates that idea. 

 

Incidentally my family name is Slade and when young my father passed on that we are descended from Sir Thomas Slade the architect of Victory and Agamemnon, so I feel a responsibility to have examples of these ships in the house, and the idea of internal illumination just puts the icing on the cake. 

[mtdoramike]

I also say go for it. Who knows, if it takes you as long to build the Ag as it did the Vic (12 years) they may have new technology by then when it comes to lighting:)   

Edited August 22, 2014 by mtdoramike

[hornet]

I suggest you look at the thread ' adding interior lights to a build' - on this site. Some good ideas, particularly those referring to LED's used in model train construction. A couple of good websites mentioned for purchasing lights and lighting systems.

Edited August 22, 2014 by hornet

[daveat22]

mike

Ah, the twelve years was because I was running my own practice and working long hours, and I was also daunted when confronted by the rigging diagram, but I overcame that fear. I am now retired and I would guess closer to two years for a build programme? Incidentally, there will no doubt be progress in lighting in those two years but tiny lights are available now, in fact I have just come across a tiny brass lantern with an led inside. One could even have an led inside the stove.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement guys there clearly isn't a gut negative reaction to lights in model boats.

[daveat22]

Thanks Hornet for that guidance note.

[testazyk]

I think it's a great idea and the earlier you plan the wiring and put in the lights the better.  The biggest challenge will be decided where the power leads should exit the ship and how to conceal them and where to put the power supply.  The obvious place is concealing it all in the base but you have to consider access to change the battery and for the on off switch. 

 

If you haven't found a vendor, try Model Train Software in Colorado--I've had great success with their products and they have some great tutorials on wiring.

[mtdoramike]

mike

Ah, the twelve years was because I was running my own practice and working long hours, and I was also daunted when confronted by the rigging diagram, but I overcame that fear. I am now retired and I would guess closer to two years for a build programme? Incidentally, there will no doubt be progress in lighting in those two years but tiny lights are available now, in fact I have just come across a tiny brass lantern with an led inside. One could even have an led inside the stove.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement guys there clearly isn't a gut negative reaction to lights in model boats.

I know what you mean Dave, I was just pickin at you a little bit. The rigging on the Vic will intimidate anyone. I know, I'm building a Vic now. 

[daveat22]

Thanks Testazyk for that info, for the Victory I made my own base and supports in half inch oak (!2mm) so if I do the same for the Agamamnon I can drill a hole through and put the mains transformer under the base, it sits on little feet so there is ventilation. I did consider doing all of this for the Victory, but I couldn't gain access after building to get them in, and the cabin windows are not clear.

We have fond memories of Auckland as our son lives in Wellington so we pass through yearly.

[testazyk]

Hi Dave--

 

I've gotten stuff shipped from that place in the US to NZ and shipping is negligible so don't worry about that.  Also, they have battery operated LEDs so you don't have to worry about mains power.

 

Check out the Maritime Museum in Auckland next time you come through--some great models and sometimes there is a model maker on site and you can watch him work and talk to him. 

[RichardG]

The best sample of lighting I've seen is on the Royal Caroline by Doris: http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/854-royal-caroline-by-doris-card-1749-140/?p=21417 (you'll find lots of other pictures in the log). She describes the LEDs she used in http://modelshipworld.com/index.php/topic/854-royal-caroline-by-doris-card-1749-140/?p=18921.

 

This particular build is amazing! It's well worth taking a look anyway.

 

RIchard.

[Vivian Galad]

Hey Dave. I´m building a chinese junk and decided to light on the cabin. That gave me some headeache for not planning it really on advance (I mean, to plan all the aspects, including the need to fix problems if they come to be). So, leds are great but you´ll have to think all aspects of it - I suggest using copper stripes to wires and a good soldering plan for them - bad soldering can bring all your plans down.

[NMBROOK]

Hi Dave

 

Vivian raises a good idea.If you check Alex Banarov's Cumberland build in the scratch section,he demonstrates good use of copper strip 'busbars' to provide a power source to the LEDs at each deck level.In the UK,just google 'the component shop'.They are the main source of LEDs over here for modelmakers.They also give advice on installation and wiring on their website

 

Kind Regards

 

Nigel

[daveat22]

Well thanks guys that is brilliant advice and answers all my questions.

Vivian set my mind working so I did my research and busbars or bus wires on each deck, with as many low brightness led's taken off as felt necessary. The tiny led's are very cheap and consume little current and batteries could then be used, although I have only found a flicker unit that works with mains voltage. Tiny lanterns are available that take led's, so they could hang on the decks and in the cabins. All this wiring preparation needs to be included at bulkhead stage before planking, and a brass gromet included in the planking for the feed wire. I am still looking for a wireless switch that will work with batteries, they seem to be more readily available for mains current.

All exciting stuff will get my order in for Agamemnon now, just finishing the display case for Victory, the glass costs as much as the kit!