possibility of lightsaber use as Time Rotor Parts

[warmcanofcoke]

It occurs to me that most Console Builders might come to use Florescent tubes in their Time Rotors. It is a seductive idea, they are readily available, and not too expensive. However this bulb type tends to flicker as it gets older as the actuators misfire. I'd like my console to light up every time. I was thinking about using lightsaber blades as a substitute for the bulbs in the classic series Time Rotors
http://www.ultrasabers.com/category-s/53.htm

with led modules
http://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/led%20module.htm

Kingpin thought I should use a series of Led lights like the ones used in many licensed Star Wars Light Sabers ...

I think it might be a little expensive - and It has been a while since I soldered anything.

Alternatively there is a technique to turn clear acrylic Toilet Plunger handles into fiber-optic rods. As seen in this DIY Portal Gun Video on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFBCH1nno8

does anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Or better / less expensive solutions. Or a website where you can buy led lights in series.

[Theta Sigma]

It occurs to me that most Console Builders might come to use Florescent tubes in their Time Rotors. It is a seductive idea, they are readily available, and not too expensive. However this bulb type tends to flicker as it gets older as the actuators misfire. I'd like my console to light up every time. I was thinking about using lightsaber blades as a substitute for the bulbs in the classic series Time Rotors
http://www.ultrasabers.com/category-s/53.htm

with led modules
http://www.ultrasabers.com/product-p/led%20module.htm

Kingpin thought I should use a series of Led lights like the ones used in many licensed Star Wars Light Sabers ...

I think it might be a little expensive - and It has been a while since I soldered anything.

Alternatively there is a technique to turn clear acrylic Toilet Plunger handles into fiber-optic rods. As seen in this DIY Portal Gun Video on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQFBCH1nno8

does anyone have any thoughts on the matter? Or better / less expensive solutions. Or a website where you can buy led lights in series.

I've had quite a bit of experience in this area actually, and I think it would work rather well.   I would buy the acrylic tube and other parts from TCSS. (http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/LED-Specific-C2.aspx).

A lightly sanded 1" thin acrylic tube with a mirrored tip and a 6 ft. wrap of cellophane inside would probably work fine.  I'd use a Seoul P4 white LED module, but you'd still have to work out some way to hold the tube to the LED module.  A blade holder is going to run you $20, so I don't see much costs savings here.  You'd also need to either run several LED's in series, or use a current regulator like a "buck puck" to drive the LEDs.

[warmcanofcoke]

I like the prices much better at your site  


*edit - Thanks to Theta Sigma for his keen researching abilities we believe the Season 21-26 Tardis Console uses:

Philips Philinea/Osram (Sylvania) Linestra T10 bulbs

(x2) 60W bulbs that are 19.69 inches (50.0126 cm) in length and 1.25 inches (3.175 cm) in diameter.

(x2) 35W bulbs that are 11.75 inches (29.854 cm) in length and 1.25 inches (3.175 cm) in diameter.

(x2) 150W bulbs that are 39.38 inches (100.0252 cm) in length and 1.25 inches (3.175 cm) in diameter.

so as an experiment - I went to the site recommended by Theta Sigma to buy lightsaber parts http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/LED-Specific-C2.aspx and purchased (x2) 40 inch CPC-TR Colored Polycarbonate tubes (Trans Red) and (x3) 40 inch 3/4PCTWThin 3/4" Thin walled Trans White Polycarbonate tubes - with delivery it came to about $55.83 US

I have various led strip lights from Christmas decorations and such - I will let you know if this works. - though the Seoul P4 LED does look nice, and well priced. D'oh forgot to buy the mirrored tip....

[warmcanofcoke]

The Lightsaber blades came in - (pictures later)
the 40 inch 3/4PCTWThin 3/4" Thin walled Trans White Polycarbonate tubes will fit my Arc of Infinity Console -just fine
I always thought that the lights looked like the small thin florescent tubes rather than the standard size ones. The Red Tubes will work for a Five Doctors Console, - I'm going to test if this alternative is feasible before I decide to buy more Inch thick Sabers for a Five Doctor's Time Rotor.

[warmcanofcoke]

D'oh just found a less expensive substitute - 48 in. - T8 - American PLAS-100221
Red - Tube Guard with End Caps - Colored Plastic Lamp Sleeve

http://1000bulbs.com/product/258/PLAS-100221.html

because this is designed to fit over a florescent light bulb it should have the same diameter as an inch and a quarter diameter bulb.


*edit- and the same again in clear http://1000bulbs.com/product/239/PLAS-100275.html

if only this came in white ...

[galacticprobe]

if only this came in white ...

They do (well, in clear, but the bulb/tube is white - and maybe some light sanding of the clear ones would frost them enough to pass as white). You can get them at Home Depot or Lowe's. Since the diameter of the sleeve is very close to that of the tube - not snug, but almost no play room - a clear sleeve would probably work well even without trying to sand/frost it.

Dino.

[warmcanofcoke]

I am going to Home Despot today and get a couple - I was even thinking of just using wax paper or something as an insert to make the plastic tubes white - and still use LEDs -

[galacticprobe]

You could also try white tissue paper (like they use to stuff inside boxes with glass items, or inside shoes). It's whiter than wax paper, not as "see-through", yet just as translucent. So if you can get that to work, it would diffuse and disguise the LEDs more than the wax paper would. I think you can get that tissue paper at any craft store, or a store that sells wrapping paper, like Target and such. And coming off of a roll it shouldn't have any wrinkles in it. Worth a try.

Dino.

[warmcanofcoke]

for the record: Doing your own market research sux


My collection of tubes


far left: tubes purchased from Home Depot, middle :http://1000bulbs.com/product/239/PLAS-100275.html

Far left: Candy Tubes purchased from Five Below, middle :http://1000bulbs.com/product/258/PLAS-100221.html

middle: (x2) 40 inch CPC-TR Colored Polycarbonate tubes (Trans Red), Far Right: (x3) 40 inch 3/4PCTWThin 3/4" Thin walled Trans White Polycarbonate tubes

For  5 Doctor's Console:
if you want your tubes to be "about" an inch and a quarter then the Candy Tubes from Five Below http://www.fivebelow.com/, and these http://1000bulbs.com/product/258/PLAS-100221.html are a solid bet.

if you want your tubes to be an inch exactly
get these in red Colored polyc tube
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/Colored-polyc-tube-P430.aspx
with this 40" LED blade diffuser for 1" thick walled blades
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/40-LED-blade-diffuser-for-1-thick-walled-blades-P156.aspx
and this 1" Thick walled Trans White PolyC 40" long
http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/1-Thick-walled-Trans-White-PolyC-40-long-P528.aspx

just my advice ...

[galacticprobe]

Good advice, especially for the "Five Doctors" console builders, Nate. Looks like you did a great deal of leg-work on this one!

Dino.