I'm working on a cool project where I'm creating a 3D printed map of my city (A3 size). The goal is to light up different segments of the roads using various colors to represent different types of roadways like footpaths and main roads. I'll have around 100 segments, each measuring between 10-90mm. I'm exploring options like filament LEDs, optic fiber paths, and regular LED strips. However, I'm concerned about visibility during the day and whether these will draw too much current. Any advice on the best lighting methods for this project would be greatly appreciated!
5 Answers
Ultra-flexible LED filaments are a great choice! They provide good brightness, while consuming less current. You can even adjust their brightness with a resistor. I’d check out some online shops for these—they're available in various lengths!
If you’re using LED filaments, keep in mind they can still be visible even at low power, so testing them out is a good move. Generally, all lighting options won't shine much during the day unless you amp up that power. So, don't worry too much about visibility in daylight—it’s a challenge no matter what you pick!
Consider using a computer monitor as a base for lighting. You can 3D print an overlay for it. Using something like a Raspberry Pi can help control the lights via programming. It might give you a lot more flexibility than traditional lighting!
How about using frosted acrylic rods with LEDs inside for each road section? It provides a neat look while effectively diffusing the light. Just do a quick image search for 'acrylic LED' for inspiration!
You might want to look into EL Wire, it has a low current draw and can be visible in normal lighting. However, just a heads up—it’s not as bright as LEDs and can be tricky to work with, based on my past experiences.