Lighting up my sculpture

[blckscab]

Hey there everyone =]
I know that this may be a very simple question to you lot, but im really not the best at electronics... =/

I have a sculpture made up of 3 parts that each use 4 LEDs (total of 12 LEDs). Rather have it battery powered (which is a hassle as it is a sculpture and should be able to be left on for long amounts of time) I want it to plug into the mains. How would i go about this?

The LEDs are all '5mm LED super bright 1000mcd, 1.85v - 2.5v max @30ma - red'

Any help will be apreciated for this clueless noob =p
Thanks =]

 

[Ubergeek63]

define a "long periods of time", how big is the sculpture, and how much light do you need?

I would think that if it is plugged in you probably need more light than what a few 5mms can supply. What is the angle of the LEDs? 1000mCd at 5 degrees is nothing, at 30 is half of what it should have been 8 years ago, and a good lighting class puts out 40,000mCd at 75 for 3W of power.

You are actually better if you use the lumen conversion values for comparison: **broken link removed**

at 1000mCd at 5 is 0.005Lm, at 30 is 0.214Lm, and a lighting class is 60Lm. The difference is that mCd is the intensity of light that hits a surface measured at a given distance from the source and a lumen is the actual actual quantity of light that comes from the source. MilliCandellas change with viewing angle, lumens do not.

Dan

 

[blckscab]

The LEDs are fine, dw =] They are not actualy pointing at the sculpture like a spot light, they are mounted onto it to light up specific areas. Im fairly certain they produce enough light for their purpose. Plus they are what i have handy atm, so id rather use them up. =P
When i say long periods of time, i mean id like to be able to keep it on during the night.

 

[Ubergeek63]

2V*4 LEDs = 8V
20mA*3 strings = 60mA
60mA*12Hrs=720mAHr=0.72AHr

A set of 8 AA rechargables are between 2 and 2.5AHr. $21 for a 2.3AHr lead acid. If you need more time just about any 9-12V hockey puck will do

 

[Sceadwian]

From an artistic standpoint you might want to rethink raw LED's, they don't produce a very visually appealing light source. Maybe a dab of water colour paint with a slight yellow tint will warm up and break up the light a little.

 

[blckscab]

Hmmmm, on second thoughts, the LEDs really are not as bright as i thought they were... Is it just because red is a 'dark' colour? Or are there better red LEDs i could use?

**broken link removed**

Thats the first schematic i came up with. As you can see, there are 3 parts and 4 LEDs and a motor on each part. The motor is something im considering adding to it... Another problem im going to have to tackle after i sort out the LEDs if i do.

 

[Ubergeek63]

Hmmmm, on second thoughts, the LEDs really are not as bright as i thought they were... Is it just because red is a 'dark' colour? Or are there better red LEDs i could use?

**broken link removed**

Thats the first schematic i came up with. As you can see, there are 3 parts and 4 LEDs and a motor on each part. The motor is something im considering adding to it... Another problem im going to have to tackle after i sort out the LEDs if i do.

well there are lighting class LEDs, but you still need to have the sculpture able to reflect the wavelength the LEDs are emitting.

Dan