[SML] Illuminating a 5ft inflatable earth

[Jerry Durand]

Common to have a lot of light from balloons for movie sets and other 
needs.  So, heat doesn't seem to be a problem.


Airstar lighting balloon en 2020

On 13-Aug-23 21:55, Joe via Stagecraft wrote:
> I have a project where we plan to use a 5' dia, vinyl, inflatable 
> earth.  It has a provision to illuminate it with a battery powered 
> LED, that gets inserted into a clear tube that runs through it. 
> However, a reviewer comments that they wish it were brighter. So, I 
> have significant doubts that it will be bright enough for our needs.
>
> I imagine I would want at least 1,000 lumens of light. Ideally, it 
> would be dimmable. I just looked at what was available for under 
> cabinet LEDs, and found ones that would fit in that tube (I would put 
> two back-to-back), and have the lumens I want.  But, none of the 
> 120vAC ones are dimmable, and probably wouldn't dim nicely at the low 
> end if they did. I have a DMX to LED dimmer system that will work 5 to 
> 24 DC. So I decided to check out the car work lights, that are 
> hard-wired into the car. But, I have doubts they will fit into the tube.
>
> I am also a bit concerned about heat.  Being installed in the 
> inflatable, sealed with a vinyl tube around it, is going to reduce its 
> cooling.  So, perhaps bare LED strips are the way to go. If needed, I 
> could perhaps wrap the LED strip around some metal tubing. That will 
> both act as a heat sink, and I can get airflow through it, if I can 
> find some old metal vacuum cleaner tubing.
>
> Another related concept is to make my own inflatable shapes. But, use 
> the fan-inflated type that uses nylon fabric. Then, airbrush with some 
> transparent paint to add images and color. But, I have never attempted 
> this.  I see all kinds of paints advertised as transparent.  But, will 
> it stick to nylon?
>
> Any advice on the above?
>
> -Joe
>
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