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The flickering LED lights include white “candles” with flame-like covers and a base with mini-stereo plugs to recharge them. I need to take it all apart to fit the model.
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Gentle pressure popped the plugs loose from the plastic base. I was careful to avoid breaking the fine wires and soldered connections.
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hen I began this project, I wanted to build a dramatic diorama. I envisioned a B-24J returning from a mission mortally damaged after encountering heavy flak and an Fw 190’s 20mm cannons. I wanted to portray it plunging into the English Channel a few miles short of its home base with two engines in flames. To do that, I needed a way to represent fire and smoke realistically.
Shot down in flames Browsing the aisles of a craft store, I came across a set of rechargeable LED tea lights (votive candles) for $25, 1. I thought I
Padded feet camouflaged the screws holding the recharging base together. I peeled them off and removed the screws to get to the parts inside.
One of the boards was surplus to my needs, so I separated them by clipping the wire between them.
could dismantle a couple of the lights and use the components to simulate raging fires in the stricken engine nacelles. To power the scene, I needed to disassemble the charging base and mount the components in the base. I peeled the rubber pads from the underside, then removed the screws they covered, 2. Next, I detached the three circuit boards from the base and carefully pried them up with a flat screwdriver, 3. Be careful to avoid damaging the soldered wire and circuit connections. I only needed one panel of charging ports, so I cut connecting wires, 4, but left a panel connected to the central board, 5.
I flipped the central circuit over the charging strip and attached it to the upper side of the plastic base with one of the pins inserted into a hole in the reverse of the original position, 6. I initially thought I’d use two ports to charge the candles outside the model. I changed my mind, deciding to charge them inside the engines to avoid disturbing the fiberfill smoke. Before moving on, I checked the unit to ensure it hadn’t been damaged.
Light my fire I started by removing the “flames” from the candles. I used one votive per engine, but I can imagine using more for a larger, more www.FineScale.com
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