Star Wars Archives

Getting Ready:

Unpacking the electronic parts kit, read all documentation & study diagrams. It is also good practice to have your own research material prepared before starting the lighting process. Start by reviewing all the model kit parts, get a general idea of how the model will come together. We will break down the model into two categories: on lighting – effects lighting. The main body comes in an front & rear body half’s. When setting up for the electronics, you will need to build the lighting into the rear half of the body after the main interior cockpit is inplace. The final result will be fewer wire connections as possible between the front & the rear half’s of the body. Pre build, paint & mount leds as you move through the model construction, testing lighting as you go

On Lighting:

All the leds will use the in-line resistor set up, refer to the diagrams. When using this configuration, you have the choice of resistor to choose from to give different output levels for each led. Using the 220-Ohm resistor will give the brightest output within a safe operating range. Using the 1.5 K Ohm resistor will produce a dimmer output, giving you a much softer effect.

Circuit Board:

The main circuit board used to run all the lighting effect will need to be mounted in a wing strut cavity. This is the only space that you can mount the board with in the model, either side can be used & for those that want to access the USB C Port you will need to remove the end mounting pin & leave the wing cover accessible for hook up to the USB Port.

Cockpit Lighting:

The interior cockpit area consists of a two red leds mounted in the very bottom of the mounting rod area. The two red lights are mounted on either side of pilots seat, looking upwards through the clear floor part. You will be using the inline resistor system for each leds used. Light block where need. Pre-built & paint where necessary.

Cockpit leds used are X-2 R 4.8mm wide leds mounted in the bottom of the mounting rod aera. Use 220-ohm resistors & connect to circuit board ports 2-7

Lasers Cannons:

On the front of the ship there are 2 clear laser cannons in clear. These clear parts will need to be taped off or protected on the end tips & the very back where the leds will but against the back of the clear part transfering the light to the end of the tips. Use the X-2 green leds with the 150-ohm in line resistors set up. Connect to circuit board ports 8-9 fro laser cannon effect. You will need to slightly bend the leds & wire’s closer to wing strut so they are not seen by the red floor lights.

Engine Lighting:

The two rear engine lights will be mounted on the back side of the rear main body. You will want to pre light block & mount the clear lens parts in place before installing. The leds will need to be pre fitted in place before you put the interior cockpit inside the rear half of the model. This is a very tight fit & might require some sanding & trimming of the cockpit corners to allow a proper fit of the cockpit interior. The red leds will need to be slightly bent towards the wing strut since the fit is so tight. Use the 220 ohm inline resistor set up for each leds & connect to ports 10-11 on the circuit board.

Getting Ready:

Unpacking the electronic parts kit, read all documentation & study diagrams.t is also good practice to have your own research material prepared before starting the lighting process. Start by reviewing all the model kit parts, get a general idea of how the model will come together. We will break down the model into two categories: on lighting – effects lighting. The main body comes in an upper & lower body half’s. When setting up for the electronics, you will need to build the lighting into the main body as a pseudo separate lighting system. The final result will be fewer wire connections as possible between the two main body parts & the rear engine assembly. Pre build, paint & mount leds as you move through the model construction, testing lighting as you go.

On Lighting:

All the leds will use the in-line resistor set up, refer to diagrams above. When using this configuration, you have the choice of resistor to choose from to give different output levels for each led. Using the 220-Ohm resistor will give the brightest output within a safe operating range. Using the 1.5 K Ohm resistor will produce a dimmer output, giving you a much softer effect.

Cockpit Lighting:

INTERIOR COCKPIT:

The interior cockpit area consists of a two white leds back lighting cockpit clear wall panel. You will be using the inline resistor system for each leds used. Tape off the backside of clear cockpit, apply decals as directed to the face side. Light block where need. Pre-built & paint where necessary.

Cockpit leds used: X-2 W 4.8mm wide leds mounted mid-way on each side of the clear back wall. Use 220-ohm resistors.

INTERIOR COCKPIT CONSOLE:

The interior cockpit area has a series of fiberoptic that can be used either on a scratch-built console or cockpit back wall. There are three zones, one is a fast blinker, one is a slow blinker & one is for on steady lighting. Use the inline resistor system to power each leds used. The kit comes with 9/32 tubing that will house these three lighting combos. The fiberoptic wires can be routed through the back wall or routed through the cockpit floor area.

Cockpit Leds used: X-1 R W5.0mm, X-1 B W5.0mm, X-1 W W5.0mm.

Head Lights:

The main front headlights will need to be drilled out for two 3mm leds using the inline resistor set up to power each led used. Please study the wiring diagram. These are set up to have their own on/off switch controlled of the main power source after the main power cut off switch.

Head Lights Used: X-2 W 3.0mm. Use 220-ohm resistors.

Passenger Ramp:

The passenger ramp consists of one led mounted in the mid upper roof area of the ramp looking downwards. You will be using the inline resistor system to power each led used. You might want to tie the headlights to the same on/off switch used for the passenger ramp.

Passenger Ramp leds used: X-1 W 3.0mm. Use 1.5K-ohm resistors.

Engine Effect:

The engine used a RGBW strip to power the engine feature. You will need to construct a strip of styrene bent to the angle of the engine curve. The kit also comes with a diffusion material that will need to be cut to fit against the clear blue stock lens. The led strip has three pads, 5V+, 5V-, DATA IN. Data in will be hook up for port 9 on the controller board. There is also a switch port that will turn on the engine effect and cockpit lighting. Port 2 on the controller board controls the advancement of the effect. It is very important that you pay attention to the arrow on the strip that is flowing away from the fist point of contact. No inline resistor is required for the strip & you can driver the main 5V + direct from the power source after the main on/off cut off switch.