1, 2 or 3mm LEDs?

Well, if the globe is as small as it appears to be, I'd go with the smallest one you can find! If needed, you can experiment with added resistance in line with the LED to bring down the brightness to the desired level. You might also want to be mindful of the light pattern from the LED -- some act more like a spotlight, concentrating the output in one direction, and IMHO the globe would probably look best with a more even and non-directional pattern. Good luck, in any event!

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

Thinking about lighting some Pump Globes that probably shouldn't give off too much light.  I understand intensity matters... so, what LEDs would work best for this application?

If, Gunrunner can have personalized Portals... surely, personalized pump Globes wouldn't be too much of a stretch.

Can you open it up or does the lighting have to go through that little neck?

The size of the LED doesn't matter, it's how much current you use.  I'd personally use surface mount flat LED's as they have a wide angle of light dispersal.  Drop me a line, I could probably make you a little PCB to mount them on both sides and include the dropping resistors to adjust the light output.   If you can't open it up, then I'd just have two of them back to back and stick them in the middle of the globe with low current drive.

Thanks Steve & Gunrunner!!!  Yup, you got me to thinkin' about the strip LEDs and Buck Converters I have dotted around the layout.  I have both 'bright' and 'warm' LEDs with some liberty in sizing the access to the Globe... I'll print a few sizes and see if I can get those in there without going to far afield with the scaling.  I'll report back.  Thanks!

Not exactly what you asked, just throwing it out there... an incandescent Grain of Wheat bulb could also provide warm-glow low intensity illumination.

Thanks Steve!!!  The flat LEDs are to big.  I have to dig them out... but, I have a pile of Grain-Of-Wheat bulbs from the plethora of early-mid 80s MBs that I own.  Let me see if I can find them.  THANKS!

Great Call STEVE!   Horrible photo... but, Grain-Of-Wheat @ 7.6vdc.  The old MB's GOWs are still a tad to large at 5mm... but, I'm liking the 360 degree coverage and the warm color is great!  I'll see if I can find some 3 or 4mm.  THANKS!

I have GOW bulbs down to 2mm, so they exist.  If the heat isn't a factor, the incandescent bulbs will give the broadest coverage with even lighting.

Thanks John, That's Great to know!  I'll print the Globes in PETG for heat resistance and I can get away with 8vdc give or take a volt.  Here is another shot inside the Globe while holding the contacts and standing on my head.  Don't tell anyone... but, this photo is in portrait!!!

@Dennis-LaRock posted:

Thanks John, That's Great to know!  Here is another shot inside the Globe while holding the contacts and standing on my head.  Don't tell anyone... but, this photo is in portrait!!!

Careful Dennis, the Photo Police are everywhere!

That is a PETG lens and we are getting nice even glow at 6vdc that seems to be about about the right intensity.   The frame is Turbo-PLA... so, that needs to get beefed up to PETG.  I'll look for 2 or 3mm and mock them up and see how they look after 24 hours... to melt or not to melt!

OK... one conundrum after another.  So, the 2mm GOWs are 6v... and, the 3mm are most often 12v. However, you can also get the 3mm at 1.5v, 2v, 3v and 16v.  They can all be had pre-wired which is a plus.  So, which would tend to run the coolest... 3mm 12v running @  6v seems logical ...but, I can't let logic stand in the way.  Opinions... please.

Remember, for low light you're going to want to limit the voltage on the bulb.  You need to also need the current rating of the bulb.

Ohm's Law

• Power in watts - P
• Current in amps - I
• Voltage - V

Remember, P = I * V

A 6V bulb that draws 60 milliamps will be the same heat as a 12V bulb that draws 30 milliamps.