Using CA with 1.8mm LEDs

[jamstraz]

This is an odd one. I have a model where I want the 1.8 to peek up maybe a half mm through a hole but it's too short. Is there a way to use CA to make it taller? I can see it but I don't think I can make it not run down the bulb or get cloudy. Maybe try to make a tiny resin cap?

 

[Jkirkon]

Be careful about getting cyanoacrylate in electrical conductors. It conducts electricity.

 

[jamstraz]

Be careful about getting cyanoacrylate in electrical conductors. It conducts electricity.

Bugger. Was hoping for an easy way to make it more of a tower led

 

[jamstraz]

Otherwise I would need to widen the hole, round it and buy these

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[robn1]

Glue in some styrene strip or a piece of sprue for the led to sit on, won't that raise it high enough?

 

[jamstraz]

Glue in some styrene strip or a piece of sprue for the led to sit on, won't that raise it high enough?

No. The issue is shape. They look like this

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I need to make it taller on the little nub

 

[Krest]

maybe you could use something like this

Super Power 5 Second Fix UV Light Repair Tool Glue Refill Liquid Plastic Welding | eBay

Only Cures with UV Light So You Can Position and Reposition Your Repair. No sticky residue. Do not eat,drink or smoke,while handling. Do not clean tip of the 5 second fix pen with liquid cleansers,or expose the tip to other liquids.

www.ebay.com

 

[robn1]

Ah, then you can hollow out the model a bit to fit those in closer, use the longer one like you posted, or use some fiber or stretched clear sprue to extend it. That UV glue would be perfect for attaching an extension piece.

 

[3Dsf]

I'd probably use a short length of fibre optic. You'd lose a bit of light of course.

 

[ZOMBIEREPELLENT]

Didn't you just use a bunch of fiber optics on your BOP?

Still, be weary about using ca on them. It makes fiber optics hella brittle. I've read that it's the long set time that does it, and using kicker keeps it from happening, but I've only read it and have no personal experience doing it.

Another option, is to use "lighthouse" led's. But I'm sure you're looking for an immediate solution.

 

[Analyzer]

No. The issue is shape. They look like this

Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I need to make it taller on the little nub

Be careful about getting cyanoacrylate in electrical conductors. It conducts electricity.

Interesting, 've actually heard the opposite. CA does not conduct but it can creating a coating from the vapors on some parts preventing electric current from running through.

I have used CA to glue 3MM LEDs into the end of a sytrene tube and have not run into any adverse effects though I made sure not let any run onto the connector pins

 

[Cimmerian]

Chuck it in a drill and file down the tip?

 

[Jkirkon]

Interesting, 've actually heard the opposite. CA does not conduct but it can creating a coating from the vapors on some parts preventing electric current from running through.

I have used CA to glue 3MM LEDs into the end of a sytrene tube and have not run into any adverse effects though I made sure not let any run onto the connector pins

I have repaired small circuit traces on boards by using CA. Works for low voltage stuff.

 

[modelcitizen]

CA will conduct electricity about as well as your plastic model. that is, good luck trying to conduct electricity through polystyrene lol.
glueing on an extension to your plastic led has nothing to do with conducting electricity anyhow. it's conducting light...so to speak.
it might conduct electrons when wet but it usually doesn't stay wet long (they do make a superglue that conducts electricity by mixing a conductor in the glue, however).
if you superglue two conductors that are in contact with each other, the conductors will possibly conduct IN SPITE OF the glue....

 

[robn1]

Chuck it in a drill and file down the tip?

I've done that, as long as you don't go through to the elements inside it's fine.

 

[jamstraz]

Ok here's the deal..it's another model. There are two existing holes that a translucent red piece of plastic sticks up through those two holes. It's lights fine under red. But...I was to make it green. I already have 1.8mm LEDs but the hole depth wouldn't really allow me to hollow the plastic to get the nub high enough. I do not have 2mm fiber and it would cause a cylinder when I need a small round top to it. Lighthouse/tower are flat and sanding that down would cause scratching. I think my best bet is casting the original red piece in clear resin and then using the 1.8mm LEDs to illuminate the clear piece.

So I need to read up on silicone, cornstarch and molding. Fortunately the bottom is detailess and bubbles shouldn't be apparent in what is seen. I already have the silicone and starch as well as resin so no more money sink

 

[modelcitizen]

scratching can be polished but i'm going to refrain from opening yet another can of worms for now. good luck and happy modeling.

 

[jamstraz]

scratching can be polished but i'm going to refrain from opening yet another can of worms for now. good luck and happy modeling.

No worms will be harmed in the making of this model

 

[modelcitizen]

good. it's hard to keep them safe and contained from time to time....

 

[jamstraz]

good. it's hard to keep them safe and contained from time to time....

Especially when you deal with starships, they make those damn holes and the next thing you know you're off course for V'Ger, talking to someone in the past, or spinning around with no terminus. But maybe...just maybe...you find yourself near Idran and pray to the Prophets you got lucky.