Electricity And Lights

[Drachenschwanz]

I've got lots of ideas for lighting up my delta but very little knowledge of electronics. I'd like to use led lights, flexible wire and small batteries. Does anybody know of a good internet resource that I can use to learn the basics?

[Mike]

Here's a start, but it may be a little technical at first.
This calculator is useful, also check out other info at the site:
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

LED throwies were kind of a street art thing, but you can see how they made theirs:
http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=6
and here
http://www.instructables.com/id/E9D2ZJ3FG0EP286JEJ/

[Draftnik]

It's not electric, but check these out. http://www.scils.rutgers.edu/~kyfoo/chinese/sky_lantern.html

[Drachenschwanz]

Mike, thanks for the links I've started my LED-ucation. I'd like to have something whipped together for Grand Haven's night fly but that might be wishful thinking!

Draftnick , Those are way cool! However, somehow I don't think the powers-that-be would be thrilled if we let mini hot air balloons filled with fire loose in the air!

[Mike]

So are you going to Grand Haven?
If so, weigh in over at the Grand Haven posting.
We may have to do a little planning for the crowd of red-shirts showing up.

[Drachenschwanz]

I found a good simple individual light from Anthony's Kite Workshop, it looks like just what I need for a new project.

I'm still working on something more elaborate for the big delta.

[Mike]

For individual lights, it's probably easier and cheaper to buy one ready-made.
Near the check-out stands at both Walgreens and Walmart I have seen little "finger lights." They are bright, flashing LEDs with a velcro strap. The strap is meant to go around your finger but you can also put it around a spar.
I think they run around $2 or so.

Edit: I googled up a photo:
[imglr=left]http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/78969/2045649/0/1143619360.jpg[/imglr]

[Draftnik]

I keep looking at a solar lawn light we have and thinking...hum...then smoke starts rolling out my ears and I quit before my brain begins to overheat.

[Invis]

Really a nice idea Draftnik! I'll include in on the patend and royalties. I have lot'o solar goodies. One of my clients is the midwests largest solar product distributor. I like to barter with them and have accuired some pretty fancy camp toys. One AA battery, one 3" solar cell and some wire with an LED! Charge by day, light by night.

[Draftnik]

I'd settle all patent right and royalties in "pretty fancy camp toys". Goes to show what I knew-I thought you'd get light without a battery if was solar!

[TheBigKiteGuy]

You need to store the energy produced during the day so it can be used during the night, For that a battery is the logical choice,

[Draftnik]

Ha! Our *pastor* asked JJ last week if he could get some info on the sky lanterns! So now there's no stopping me with well intentioned and wise words of caution, this is ment to be.

I've found a video on them http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0QtdpgT41k

These are bigger then I expected. So far I've been able to find vendors, but no plans.

[Mike]

I've heard of those before. Is that what you want to make? Flying Fire? Or are you looking to do something with LEDs?

[Drachenschwanz]

Draftnik, here's a cheap version of your flaming kite/balloons on Ebay.

You could get one of these and copy it three or four hundred times for Grand Haven!