[SML] Illuminating a 5ft inflatable earth

[Steven Hood]

I use City Theatrical mini dimmers with LED tape a fair bit these days. I 
get the 12V tape and rechargeable 3V batteries (123 size), and run them in 
series. If I need more power and have the space, I parallel in more sets or 
use 12V lithium iron phosphate UPS batteries.
Hth,
Steven

On August 13, 2023 10:57:19 AM Joe via Stagecraft 
<stagecraft at theatrical.net> 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
> ____________________________________________________________
> For list information see <http://stagecraft.theprices.net/>
> Stagecraft mailing list
> Stagecraft at theatrical.net
> http://theatrical.net/mailman/listinfo/stagecraft_theatrical.net

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://theatrical.net/pipermail/stagecraft_theatrical.net/attachments/20230813/2ec4c1e6/attachment.html>