Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club

Mandalorian Armor => Equipment & Accessories => Electronics => Topic started by: jackboot_jedi on Jun 26, 2007, 10:04 AM

Title: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: jackboot_jedi on Jun 26, 2007, 10:04 AM
Boba Fett Chest display project
I have the wiring down but the actual top rows of lights are driving me crazy.  It has some short in the circuit but this is what I have. 
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Mando%20C/th_CDisplay.jpg) (http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Mando%20C/?action=view&current=CDisplay.flv)
The problem with the top row of lights is that it doesn’t look professional.  It isn’t clean and well dressed.  The light bleeds over into the next box and I don’t know how to prevent it.  I am using a strip of square tube with LEDs inside and hot glue as a diffuser so it looks like the LED lights up the whole box. 
If you have any suggestions on how to make a box of 5 LEDs 8mmwide at every window and 4mm tall that looks like the entire box lights up when it is on PLEASE let me know. 
I have tried many different versions but few work as well as this. 
Title: Re: Boba Fet Chest display project
Post by: Mandalore the Uniter on Jun 26, 2007, 10:46 AM
If you put those LED's flat up against a dark transluscent surface, the bleed-over should go away.  The hot glue may actually hurt it more then help as it's acting more like a magnifier then an absorber.  The light is reflecting off the glue from what I can see.  Put it all flush against a tinted surface then look at it and see.

Also, if you have schematics and a diagram then please post them or email it to me and I'll host them.  We'll put it up in the Tutorial section.
Title: Re: Boba Fet Chest display project
Post by: Tigris Falco on Jun 26, 2007, 11:17 AM
Looks pretty good to me.  Just need to tweek it a little and we will be laughing.

Nice work Scur
Title: Re: Boba Fet Chest display project
Post by: Olos'nay on Jun 26, 2007, 02:25 PM
would one of these help?

http://www.bgmicro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10267
Title: Re: Boba Fet Chest display project
Post by: jackboot_jedi on Jun 26, 2007, 09:54 PM
would one of these help?

http://www.bgmicro.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=10267
I have looked at that but the problem is an even distribution of bright color to the entire square panel.  That is a series of small round LEDs.  I appreciate the idea though. 

(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Mando%20C/th_BobDisplay.jpg) (http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Mando%20C/?action=view&current=BobDisplay.flv)

This I have done for a custom mando friend Kal Falco and I am doing a slightly different one for Akami Falco.  It is based on the same 555 timer and the 4017 decade timer that I am using for the Boba Fett display. 
I will try to compile directions on how to put it together.   
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Xian Talon on Jun 26, 2007, 10:11 PM
bright..shiney...lights.....   O.O
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Akami Falco on Jun 29, 2007, 09:22 AM
Awesome work Scur.   I want' mine Just like that...LOL  Well you know I've got my order in already...
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Jardon Sydor on Jun 29, 2007, 10:00 AM
wow now thats nice I want one lol
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: jackboot_jedi on Jul 02, 2007, 07:37 PM
I wanted to show the circuitry that I used for the Boba Fett and Custom Chest displays.  I hand drew them so pardon my chicken scratch.  All integrated circuits (IC) have labeled pins 1-whatever.  If it has 8 pins then it is 1 through 8.  The way to tell which one is 1 there is a small dot placed in the upper left of the chip closest to the 1.  If there is no dot then the notch side is always up and top left is always labeled as 1. 
This is the 4017IC
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Circutry/DecadeCounter1.jpg)

The outputs are labeled as 0-9 and those are the outputs that go to the top led sequence for the Boba Fett display using 0-4 or my custom displays using 0-9, or 0-8.
This is the 555 timer that drives the 4017 Decade counter. 
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Circutry/555_02-1.gif)

R1, R2 and C1 determine the pace of the timing of the circuit.  For reference the equation is 1 Meg Ohms times 1 Micro Farad equals 1 second interval of OFF time.  The R1 resistor determines the ON time at about the same rate.  So connected like this you get the Boba Fett display.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s136/CharlesArney/Circutry/Fett-circitry.jpg)
If there is anything you need to know about this circuit or wiring please let me know.
-Scur
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Akami Falco on Jul 02, 2007, 08:20 PM
"Man your the greatest"  I hope everyone appreciates the information.  I don't remember what the guy charges for these displays on the "dented helmet",  but to have this so you can do it yourself is priceless. Thanks Scur
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Mandalore the Uniter on Jul 03, 2007, 09:39 AM
What's the chance of getting a step by step tutorial written down (or filmed...whatever's easier) of this?  It would be an awesome addition to our tutorial library.
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: jackboot_jedi on Jul 03, 2007, 07:40 PM
I'll see what i can put together
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: TheMandoMan on Jul 03, 2007, 10:15 PM
My brain just exploded from looking at those drawings and diagrams.  :o  I'd probably electrocute myself, but then again, if there's no danger, where's the fun?

Awesome chest display!
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Jacyn Snow on Jan 27, 2009, 12:59 AM
hey i was wonderin if it was possible to change the color of the display, maybe by led?
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Ben Ru Montroc on Jan 28, 2009, 09:45 AM
Ok !!! let's go burn some resistors and LED's too!!! Just wana understand all that info :'(

Nice work Vod  ;D
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: TK4619 on Dec 03, 2009, 10:58 AM
I was wondering if anyone knows what size the LED digit displays are. I have made a few of the circuit boards and they work great, but there are so many different sizes of led displays out on the market I am not sure which ones to order.
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Ghez Hokan on Dec 03, 2009, 11:50 PM
That's awesome and I bought something similar for my armor. Now the big question I can't seem to get answered: how do you mount it to the back of your chest plate?
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: SnakeEyes1 on Dec 22, 2009, 02:06 PM
I got a website from another brother and you can check out www.fettronics.com for your board
Title: Re: Boba Fett Chest display project
Post by: Fettfan40 on Aug 28, 2016, 03:29 PM
Hello,

   Awesome post.May I ask what kind of digital segments you used as well as the top led bars?I am unsure of the numbers written on each segment coming from the 4017 circuit.

Thanks,Daren