Mood Light Panel - how to?

D

Dantanna

Guest
Has anyone else seen these panels out there? They are ridiculasly priced at
over $400 for a 2x2 ft. square panel made up of 4 cubes. The cubes change
colors and I am interested in understanding what kind of light they are
using. Any thoughts by the pros?

The plastic cubes look opaque and the light is supposedly LED. I think the
circuit would be the hardest part to recreate.
 
"Dantanna" <wanton@want.com> wrote in message
news:nioAd.37721$mA3.28066@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
Has anyone else seen these panels out there? They are ridiculasly
priced at
over $400 for a 2x2 ft. square panel made up of 4 cubes. The cubes
change
colors and I am interested in understanding what kind of light they
are
using. Any thoughts by the pros?

The plastic cubes look opaque and the light is supposedly LED. I
think the
circuit would be the hardest part to recreate.
Click to expand...
Then they are probably RGB LEDs under a translucent. You could build
your own with a $2 PIC chip, some code, three $1 mosfets, some resistors
and about $300 worth of RGB LEDs. ;-)
 
Well check this out - I want to do this on a larger scale like this :
http://www.gnr8.biz/moodpanel.html

And I'm thinking I might be able to hack one of these :
http://www.homedics.com/prod/detail.aspx?ID=179#

To work on a larger scale for my kids playroom/disco/Karaoke place! What do
you guys think about modifying the cheaper Homedic one? Could it be done?
I mean, how could I add more LEDs to the circuit?

Anyway, thanks for the reply - I guess I can now understand where the high
price comes from with the RGB LED's and all...


Then they are probably RGB LEDs under a translucent. You could build
your own with a $2 PIC chip, some code, three $1 mosfets, some resistors
and about $300 worth of RGB LEDs. ;-)
Click to expand...
 
"Clarence_A" <no@No.com> wrote
"Anthony Fremont" <spam@anywhere.com> wrote

Then they are probably RGB LEDs under a translucent. You could
build
your own with a $2 PIC chip, some code, three $1 mosfets, some
resistors
and about $300 worth of RGB LEDs. ;-)


Wow! That is a lot of LEDs! I have been buying RGY LEDs for $1.95 a
hundred.

http://www.mpja.com/listitems.asp?dept=116&main=122

Lets see. $100 / $1.95 = 51+ OR 5,100 of each color. I think for a
mode
light you might use 1600 per square.
Click to expand...
Let me know when you can get rgB (tri-color) LEDs for that, I can't seem
to find them for less than about $2 each (and that's a whole lot cheaper
than a year ago).
 
You really think it would take that many LED's? The LED's need only
illuminate the diffused plastic. I would think one or two with a light tube
or some way of projecting the light would work -
 
Dantanna wrote:
So lets say I didn't hack a preexisiting system. What types of
circuits and components should I research about making a similar
system?

Simply put, what are some of the popular tools/components used to
control LED's for a disco display?
Click to expand...
I would use a microcontroller, but that's me.
 
Thanks - that is exactly what I was looking for. Great site - sadly what
more of the internet used to be like...


"Adam Aglionby" <ledlight@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1104408787.908800.258980@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Have a look at:

www.bigclive.com

HTH
Adam
Click to expand...
 
"Anthony Fremont" <spam@anywhere.com> wrote in message
news:88pAd.16344$wD4.10876@fe1.texas.rr.com...
"Dantanna" <wanton@want.com> wrote in message
news:nioAd.37721$mA3.28066@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
Has anyone else seen these panels out there? They are ridiculously
priced at
over $400 for a 2x2 ft. square panel made up of 4 cubes. The cubes
change
colors and I am interested in understanding what kind of light they
are
using. Any thoughts by the pros?

The plastic cubes look opaque and the light is supposedly LED. I
think the
circuit would be the hardest part to recreate.

Then they are probably RGB LEDs under a translucent. You could build
your own with a $2 PIC chip, some code, three $1 mosfets, some resistors
and about $300 worth of RGB LEDs. ;-)
Click to expand...
Wow! That is a lot of LEDs! I have been buying RGY LEDs for $1.95 a hundred.

http://www.mpja.com/listitems.asp?dept=116&main=122

Lets see. $100 / $1.95 = 51+ OR 5,100 of each color. I think for a mode
light you might use 1600 per square.
 
"Anthony Fremont" <spam@anywhere.com> wrote
"Clarence_A" <no@No.com> wrote
"Anthony Fremont" <spam@anywhere.com> wrote
Then they are probably RGB LEDs under a translucent. You could
build
your own with a $2 PIC chip, some code, three $1 mosfets, some
resistors
and about $300 worth of RGB LEDs. ;-)

Wow! That is a lot of LEDs! I have been buying RGY LEDs for $1.95 a
hundred.
http://www.mpja.com/listitems.asp?dept=116&main=122
Lets see. $100 / $1.95 = 51+ OR 5,100 of each color. I think for a
mode
light you might use 1600 per square.

Let me know when you can get rgB (tri-color) LEDs for that, I can't seem
to find them for less than about $2 each (and that's a whole lot cheaper
than a year ago).
Click to expand...
I don't use many tricolors, but when I bought the last lot it was $.71 each.
I have no idea what they sell for now!
 
"Dantanna" wrote
You really think it would take that many LED's? The LED's need only
illuminate the diffused plastic. I would think one or two with a
light tube
or some way of projecting the light would work -
Click to expand...
I figured it would take at least 9 and possibly 16 to get nice enough
illumination over a single quadrant (25cm X 25cm) that you could easily
see in sunlight. That may be overkill, but to avoid bright spots,
you'll have to cover the tops of the LEDs so that all light striking the
panel is reflected. For all I know, simply painting the crown of the
LED may be enough, but IMO it will still take somewhat more than one or
two LEDs to be practical in daylight.

I still cant find any bundles of RGB LEDs for less than 1.80 each. :-(
 
So lets say I didn't hack a preexisiting system. What types of circuits and
components should I research about making a similar system?

Simply put, what are some of the popular tools/components used to control
LED's for a disco display?




"Anthony Fremont" <spam@anywhere.com> wrote in message
news:wSBAd.20500$wD4.8242@fe1.texas.rr.com...
"Dantanna" wrote
You really think it would take that many LED's? The LED's need only
illuminate the diffused plastic. I would think one or two with a
light tube
or some way of projecting the light would work -

I figured it would take at least 9 and possibly 16 to get nice enough
illumination over a single quadrant (25cm X 25cm) that you could easily
see in sunlight. That may be overkill, but to avoid bright spots,
you'll have to cover the tops of the LEDs so that all light striking the
panel is reflected. For all I know, simply painting the crown of the
LED may be enough, but IMO it will still take somewhat more than one or
two LEDs to be practical in daylight.

I still cant find any bundles of RGB LEDs for less than 1.80 each. :-(
Click to expand...
 
"Anthony Fremont" <spam@anywhere.com> writes:
Dantanna wrote:
So lets say I didn't hack a preexisiting system. What types of
circuits and components should I research about making a similar
system?

Simply put, what are some of the popular tools/components used to
control LED's for a disco display?

I would use a microcontroller, but that's me.
Click to expand...
I noticed in the Discovery store today panels that appeared to be
perhaps 10" square and which had various colors that would shift
behind the translucent surface with some options for control.
Regular price $50, on sale $30.

Perhaps you have a Discovery store near you or they have similar
prices online.
 
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