I can't win.

[ausf]

I have so much unbuilt/half built stuff, I just needed one in the win column. I decided to no longer put off the Enterprise and plowed ahead. I was in no way taking a short cut, even went a bit crazy with the research and execution, but I was putting in some serious bench time and getting results.

About to close up the saucer, I tested the lighting kit and a flasher circuit isn't.

Mind you, I didn't even want to blow the $130 on the lighting kit when I could have done it better and cheaper with Arduino, but Polar Lights forced my hand in they only offer the clear parts for the bridge and shuttle bay as part of it. To make it more frustrating, I ended up going a different direction with the build and not needing the clear parts after all.

No big deal, I had the kit, bill was paid, no pain at this point until I find it's not working. It can only be the 555 chip, everything else works, there was a wonky solder on it. I even have a bunch of spares, but I emailed Polar Lights and until I get an answer, I can't go ripping this thing apart. I'd normally just write it off, but still nursing a bad taste in my mouth over the lighting kit, if I have to spend $130 on a handful of LEDs that cost about $20, I at least want it work.

Sorry for the rant, but sheesh.

 

[moon puppy]

Hope they stand behind it.

 

[SA Dave]

Welcome to the modeling world :evil:

Hope you get it sorted soon mate :drinks

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I understand Jeff, worked in the eletronics industry for many years and I wouldn't have bought the lighting kit myself (Have the TOS Enterprise kit you are building) so that is probably a set statement.

Will probably build my own little circuit for the lighting and flashing. Have never messed with any of the Aruino stuff and guess I should look into it as I have the huge Millenium Falcon yet to build with all it's lighting and what not.

Also at this point what you might do is just clip the 555 chip out and tack in a replacement if that is all it is

 

[ausf]

Arduino would be the way to go, simply because it's so simple and inexpensive. You can get the boards for $5 (they're open source) and instead of putting together timers, IC, etc to get things set, you just adjust some code. At $5 it's worth even if you're just driving some LEDs since it'll take voltage of 7-12 (20 tops) and turn it into 5v completely controllable on 18 pins. Set your on/off rates by milliseconds. Chasers, fading, color change is only a matter of code. And on top of that you can add motors, servos and everything else.

One project I have half done is the derelict from LOS. I have the wedges servo controlled to open and close and the tiny Jupiter 2 will have the chaser lights of the engine while inside. Add some cool fading purple and blue light and it should be a nice display, all driven by one Arduino.

I most likely will just pop a new 555 on the PCB, I already had to add some voltage regulators to the way too fast bussard motors, I just need to give them a chance to respond.

I don't mind the work, I do understand things go wrong, I just get cheesed when I pay more than I should for basically just convenience, but then the convenient option is more work than going the scratch route.

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I understand Jeff. I am pretty much old school discreet component electronics myself. Have never done anything with an Arduino board. Maybe sometime you could do a step by step on how to set up some stuff with one. I would definitely be interested and probably wouldn't be the only one.