Thread: Control panel lights?

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I'm going to make a control panel, much like those Stelter Creative. I'm having a hard time trying to find some lights for the control panel. And I was hoping you could help me out?

I have a 2'x3' board that will be my control panel. I am going to mount my knife switch on it. I want to have a bank of panel lights that will blink and flash when it's "on".

Does anyone know where I can get lights? And when I have them, how to make them "blink/flash"?

I've checked eBay and didn't find much. Local Radio Shack also didn't have much. That's about it for my "local" resources.

I know AC power pretty well because it's what comes out of the wall... but once we talk DC, I lose it a little because of the step down. So I need help when it comes to LEDs and what I need in order for them to work.

Any help/hints/ideas would be great!

use a starnd of x-mas lights with all blinker bulbs

I was thinking of doing that, but I think I am after something a bit more "industrial" looking..

Here's what I am kind-of modeling it after. I am not going after this exact panel, but these lights are what I am after.

look up velleman kits. they make all kinds of flashers and stuff.

great for beginners.

Well. you can get LEDs that automatically blink once you wire them in. Depnds on what effect you are going for and how much soldering you want to do. LOL

You could also use christmas lights depending on how you want it to work.

Have you seen OpenTrackerRacer's lab set up? He posted some of his resources on the thread he started. Try searching by his name and add threads started by poster in your search parameters. I can't wait to see his completed lab; he's put a lot of time into getting an authentic look to it.

I haven't started on my lab set up yet but was thinking about using a thin metal panel, drilling some holes through it. Finding some metal rings, glueing them on the panel at the holes (to make it look more like a button) and then attach colored plastic behind each cutout. Since I'm not handy with the electrical I thought I would see how it looks with a xmas light strand attached behind. I have a set with one of those nice controller boxes--allows you to select one of like 7 different set ups for lighting--steady, flashing, chasing, fade, random (which I thought might work out best). I thought I could affix short, pipe-like material sections to the back of the panel at the light holes, cutting the "tube" long enough to hold and support the light bulb). I really need a simple electrical set up. Wish I had some photos to post but as I've said I haven't had a chance to work on this project yet.

GoolGaul: I am at velleman.com, but not quite sure what to look for? Is this the right velleman?



Ghost of Spookie: Yeah, OpenTrackRacer's lab is awesome! I had asked him a couple months ago where he snagged his lights from, and he said got them locally. I didn't have that kind of luck here in my town

Originally Posted by drsprite

GoolGaul: I am at velleman.com, but not quite sure what to look for? Is this the right velleman?

Drsprite, re: velleman, try a web search for "velleman kits". I came up with a bunch of hits. Trying the name as a URL brought up a site in England. Omnikits.com is one of the hits. Click on the Lamps & LEDs (control panel lamps there) submenu link.

Ooh. They have some cool kits too! OMNIKITS HOME PAGE - Velleman kits & oscilloscopes ? Kits ? Minikits
I can think of some things to do with these. Take a look at the LED running light kit.

Check your local truck stop they have a lot of light covers that would resemble push buttons you can mount a flashing led light under the button or achristmas rice light would look industrial. also look on ebay for industrial lighted push button/covers might get some hits

Wow! Thanks for the compliments! Here are some more resources for you. In this case, Radio Shack has the goods.

120vac:

120-Volt Neon Red Square Lamp (2-Pack) - RadioShack.com

120-Volt Neon Red Jumbo Lamp Assembly - RadioShack.com

12vdc:

12-Volt, Jumbo Red Lamp Assembly (2-Pack) - RadioShack.com

12V Snap-In Red Lamp Assembly (2-Pack) - RadioShack.com

I like the snap in 12vdc parts. They also have them in green (pretty good) and blue (okay but washed out). I think they're easier to use than 120vac lamps and safer too. They draw a little less than 1/10th of an amp each so you can run 12 to 14 off a power supply like this...

12 VDC 1.2 AMP WALL TRANSFORMER | AllElectronics.com

They don't quite have that old school look but when they're lit up in a dark room the effect is excellent.