Some of you would know that this is old news but I just want to show this to everyone. Right after collecting the Moebius Cylon Raiders from Hobby HQ, I re-started this 2011 project. The main reason we could not continue was because no one knows the size of the Model kit until ryoga showed it to the World.

After examining the model kit, I concluded that it is possible to create such a lighting system for it. Very difficult but it is possible. And not only that, I have also researched that this model is meant for lighting as the internals were made in such a way that it allows for wiring to come through without having to drill holes for it. Something which the nearest competitor did not take advantage of. And so, after much designing, this system is a plug and play with minor filing. You only need to drill one hole, which is for the power cables.


Anyway, here are summary of the progress so far. For more details and the video, you would have to visit my Website: My Website


This is how big the model is. Its length is the same as the box


This is the shot of the Cylon Raider's head. To the right is its clear visor, then the 3mm LED, the 0805 LED and lastly, the 0603 LED. Later on, you might want to use smoke tint for the visor as its supposed to be dark tint.


This is the picture to help you visualise the size of the LED I am using, which is the 0603 instead of the 0805. My heart wanted to use the 0805 because its bigger and easier to solder.


This ishow the circuit board will be mounted inside the model. I am taking advantage of the inner plastic pillar and the head's floor.


First attempt. This is to use the software to gauge the size for the circuit board and its physical limitation due to its thickness of 1.6mm.


Microprocessor programming looks good. This was already done in 2011. I have added a pair of red LEDs in case someone else wants to design the missile bay. Something the competitor did not foresee.


First actual PCB design. I decided wrongly and used the wrong chip. But the foundation is already set.


Final stage of prototyping. The model looks OK as the plastic floor did not bulge up.


Close up of the prototype board halfway being soldered. Note the size of the 6 LEDs. I bought 10 for testing but lost two and burnt one. This is why I hate the 0603 LEDs. I have to use normal soldering method and not wave soldering as the LEDs are standing up. The competitor has only eight.


Testing of the prototype


Placement of the red and white LEDs.


Shot of model sealed (with 3M tape) waiting to be light-proofed and painting by that someone. :lol:

Wow!!! any videos on the lights?

Tried to post it up here but there was a problem so that is why I ask to go to my Website.

Saw the video in your website and it was awesome... too bad I'm not an owner of any Cylon Raider though... I'd love to get my hands on the electronics if I have the kit... :)

Very clean solder work. You must have very stable hands I must say. Mine will always look like a clump of mess... :lol:

wahlawey this is interesting :o

@ druid_99
Thanks. I had to slightly upgrade my soldering iron for this job. Its not easy but think of fixing PE parts to a model (eventhough I have no PE experience) :lol:
Also, its straining on my eyes too and taking a lot of time as each step, they must be tested and tested in case of failure.

But now is a good time to get them, just the 'eye' effect will start any conversation piece.

@sky_tokyodrifter

Guess how much boards we have... :lol:

Bro, out of topic a bit. I want to wire up my X-Wing and the ARC-170 but to date I am still struggling with the resistors (not a big deal for you I assume) but that is not the issue.

My question is, do I need to use i/c to replicate the flickers that is on the thrusters as in the movies? My electronics is too rusty so need your advise here. :)

ah haaaaaaaaaa so this lighting conversion is for sale. I thought so hehe. I see sooooo many boards in the background :lol: :lol:

Need to purchase the Cylon Raider now lah... Mr. Engineer... how much is the price? :D

I assume that you need to attach all the LED and i/c before it can be sold... quite a time consuming task I see...

I've been waiting for this project to complete and ready for market :).

For those wanting to see the video, you can view it HERE

Now if you will excuse me, I have some humans to exterminate :P

I watched the video

ARE YOU KIDDING MEEEEEEE??? :o :o :o :o :o :o

*&(&^**( Damn Niceeeeeeeee....

sllim

Only have resources for first batch and its not a lot since my last paycheck went to making this circuit board and buying the *ahem* submarines... :lol:

@ druid_99,

Was at Hobby HQ there and above Mr. Low, there was one more Cylon Raider. B)

But forgot to ask him if there is another shipment soon or not...

Commence thread topic save to temporary location....


Begin interrupt:
@druid_99,

Sorry, I missed your other post.

If your X-wing & ARC-170 is not built yet, should not be a problem as I am positive that there are spaces for the LEDs in there, eventhough I do not have those models. As for the resistors, it depends on the colour of the LEDs and also, the power supply you want to use but that is also not the issue too.

The flicker can be done in two ways, depending on the effect that you want:-

1. Normal fixed flicker
This can be done with a 555 timer IC but again, it depends on the space inside the model which, also, at the end of the day, will affect the size of the circuit board. To save space, a SMD version of a microprocessor chip is again, the answer since the 555 need extra components to control the fixed flicker. Here, one single programmed microprocessor IC plus some resistors for the LEDs will solve the space problem.

2. Battlestar Galactica Viper Mk.II & Mk. VII flicker
This flicker is more or less, not fixed but slightly more complex and involves three separate thrusters. You would need a microprocessor to do this since normal electronics like the 555 needs even more supporting components or additional ICs to achieve this same effect or as near as possible. Guess what is my next project after the Cylon Raider?

:lol:

End interrupt:

And now, folks, back to normal programming.....

WAH!!

the video is really nice... eh is the "red-eye" move that fast in the series?

i'm sure the cylon-rider will be a big hit after this.. :D

good job..

kuman

Nice! When the board's ready for sale, let me know. I'll take a set :)

Depending on the situation, let's see what I can do by this Friday/Saturday/Sunday...

Wow thats soooo coool.Really for sale?

Yes. :D

Got this from multifilla yesterday. This is actually a turntable but in actual fact is a gutted out hard disk with its motor turned upside-down. I double-sided a tin cover for my purpose. For its price its OK because, I don't have a 5 1/4 HD anymore . :lol:


This soldering jig is to help me in the soldering the boards faster.

So far so good. I noticed that the most troublesome part in the assembly was not the LEDs itself but the tiny Network Resistors. They are so tiny, even my replacement soldering iron tip could not solve the problem. Since I do not have the wave soldering faciliy or even an oven, I have to improvise.

Intitally, using normal soldering and then clean them up with solder wick was OK but it wasted a lot of time because of all the re-soldering and testing for the shorting tracks.


This was taken last night using the soldering jig and the boards were OK. took me two hours to reach this stage, which is quite an improvement. And this afternoon, I have more or less sorted out the method for soldering the Network Resistors. This method reduces the shorting problems. Going to try with another few boards tomorrow night to see if my theory works.

Whoa .... seems faster too. Nicely done

Wan to know what I did for the past hour?


Somehow I lost 4 of these little buggers when the tweezer slipped while I was soldering and also *ahem* setting up this shot. Man, my eyes :lol:

The soldering jig was very effective in helping me prep up the boards. In just 4 hours today, I managed almost about 8 boards. I suppose it could be shorted but because the soldering iron was too hot, even a slight 1/9 second 'touch' from the tip melts the solder in the existing LED. So, most of the time was spent on searching for dropped LEDs, realigning melted LEDs and testing each and every soldered LED.


Maybe I should get another pair tweezers, this time with more thinner prongs. Here, I have to turn the 0603 LEDs upside down so that I can tin them with solder before putting them onto the board. If you do not tin them, the solder will not flow easily and you cannot mount the LEDs to the boards. This is the only way to get them to stick to the PCB.


First batch is almost ready. Just need to program the microprocessor chips, solder it in and also the other two pairs of LEDs. The microprocessor ICs are easily the most expensive component right after the PCB board. This will be the first batch and once I have enough cash, I will order a bit more microprocessor chips and continue with the second batch and so on until the PCBs are all finished.

Chow,
One ready buyer here is there is one to spare...

Another potential buyer here. No agent :).

Actually, I


OK, got to go out now, I'll tell you later in the afternoon. Lots to say after lunch.

Sorry it took longer than I thought but its very tiring at the Hospital.

Anyway, I want to thank you guys for your support. I have not determined the price for the system as I am afraid that it might be very expensive to a lot of people. However, we have reserved the first 20 priority units for SFTPMS members. This means that you guys would be the first in the World to get them. And to sweeten the deal, these 20 units would be cheaper than usual and also comes with a battery pack, which means its ready to run (but you will need to cut/rejoin the wires when you insert the system into the model)

Anyway, once I get the instruction manual and label design done, it will be really really ready. Just that I have been delayed for weeks due to some family problems which some of you have already known.

But once all the boards are gone, I am seriously considering if we need to continue with the second production run or not since its very labour intensive and no one dares to take over the soldering. (Of course, this might increase the cost as well) ;)

In the meantime, I am going to program as much chips as I can tonight.

As the microprocessor chip I am using is not the normal DIP version but the SMD SOIC version, I needed to get a SOIC to DIL adaptor since the programmer can only accept the DIL chips. You need to press the top part of the adaptor so that the contact pins would slide away for you to put in your SOIC chip. Once the position is correct, you can let go of the top part and the contacts will slide back and press onto the chip's pins. Now I am worried because the 10 year old programmer's LED is blinking and it has never done that before...

The lighting development has been superb!! seems to be a challenging process and requires certain know-how basics :) sincerely thanks for sharing this :)

regards,
Miller See
Hobby Reina

Thank you. The Lighting System is almost ready to market and first 20 will be for SFTPMS members. Just wait a bit more as I need to scrounge up some $$$ to get the instruction manual printed in colour.

Its been weeks in delay.

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture?

emmm... trying to photograph a set of illuminated LED lightings with flash light from the camera..?

regards,
Miller See
Hobby Reina

Nah. I just stuck the foam with PVA glue until I realised that it has double-sided tape built-in. So its actually upside-down.

Anyway, as promised, I have made 20 Kits for SFTPMS members at a special price of RM100.00. It takes a lot of work to build this kit up and what you have seen so far, was only 60% of the work. I will be collecting the printed manuals tomorrow and once that is trimmed, its ready for sale. If time permits, I will drop by Hobby HQ between 12 and 2PM.

Anyway, the following is the list for those who confirmed the kit. I know there are some express interest on this but its not fair to put force your name on the list.

[Updates as of 02062012 2344]
01. ryoga
02. ryoga
03. ryoga
04. xamel1975
05. CaptKirk
06. Loo CK
07. Viper
08. fishyahoo
09. druid_99
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Sorry for the lack of recent updates. A bit busy with soldering and packing. Also, once the word got out, I had to forward all the emails to my Marketing guy to answer them. Funny thing was, they want it and couldn't care less about the price or shipping. Weird.

Anyway, here are some recent photos:


This was the shot taken last week, all packed for SFTPMS members, just one short because I ran out of battery holders. Yeah, you can test them as long as you have three AAA batteries with you.


This is what the package looks like. But no feedback yet on the instruction manual and how easy the kit mounts since some of them were either picked up or still 'on the way'.

For those interested, please contact Chow ASAP to get them cause we plan to have this go on sale overseas very soon via established online toyshops. There may not be enough ready stock once these people start placing their orders.

For your viewing pleasure...












Will try to post a short clip of the moving light in this pic later (if I find the time to edit it). Would be cool to have something like that for my car too....


Enjoy!


Happy Modelling!
chowhl

Than you very much, chowhl. For those who have gotten them, can I have some feedback on the instruction manual?

Some said they are very detailed and informative while one commented its too much information. And yes, they were surprised it was in colour. The main thing is, was the instruction manual helpful enough for you to mount the lighting system to the model kit? How about the level of written English?

Good news and bad news, guys. The first big order came in this morning and the customer has exhausted all available stock! And I am still packing....