I have just recently completed building myself a couple of light boxes and I am very pleased with the results. If anyone is interested in me building one for them, PM me and I can discuss price etc, one thing is for sure, they are going to be at least a third of the price of imported ones, and IMHO work just as well. The two attached images will give you some sort of idea of my construction. My method of construction allowes the light box to fit over the front of the telescope/dew shield, much like a cover so one does not need to balance it on the scope.
I use a 12v lighter type connector for the power, and each LED is rated at between 6000mcd and 12000mcd depending on the size of the box required.
If interested please feel free to ask any questions.
IceTrade Classifieds is a free service provided to IceInSpace members to help encourage and promote astronomy in our community.
Just throwing in a quick message for the masses - I received my light box very promptly after we got the specifications nailed down.
The build quality is brilliant, the included dimmer made getting the correct ADU counts for flats a breeze and the packing of the parcel was absolutely bullet proof - nigh on indestructable!
You'll not find a better value for money flat illumination solution anywhere!
Hi Peter,
I have a WO Zenithstar 81 and wondered what you would charge to build one of your light boxes? The dew shield diameter is 104 mm.
Cheers Grant
Perth, WA
Exfso has chosen not to receive private messages or may not be allowed to receive private messages. Therefore you may not send your message to him/her.
If you are trying to send this message to multiple recipients, remove Exfso from the recipient list and send the message again.
Perhaps your inbox is full?
I wanted to ask about LED's and acrylic for another project but it's nothing I can't use a light board for till I figure it out myself.
I want to back-light a canvas print of the moon, it looks amazing with the light board behind it and I was curious what specific acrylic sheet won't show multiple bright spots from the individual LEDs instead of an even lighting. I was also thinking of buying LED strips to do it but thought I'd ask someone who has done this numerous times before.
EDIT: Sorry, I didn't read through the thread and have only just seen the email address a few posts up.
I'll email and if you have 5 minutes to help with my enquiries I'd much appreciate it, if not I'll buy some items (or see what I likely already have here in LEDs and acrylic) and play myself.
Hi Peter,
for around 18 months I've been working on a small general bluetooth switch for astronomy to control devices like fans, dew heater or Flat panel dimming, really anything that runs on 5V-18V up to 4A as either switched or PWM. It uses bluetooth to communicate with a PC so there are no extra cabling you just plug it in series with the flat panel. Really simple.
I've written 2 ASCOM drivers, one for Switches and the other for Flat Panel control, the same device does both.
The ASCOM flat panel driver can be used to control the on/off - brightness of a LED or EL flat panel by applications like NINAs Flat Wizard or SG Pro to automate flat imaging.
I've been using it now for around 6 months with a LED panel I made, I'm happy with the results.
To get the PCB manufactured I had to order 30, so I was hoping to maybe sell them on IIS.
Your light boxes have been popular and I would really like to test my bluetooth switch with one. I would be happy to send you a bluetooth switch if you're able to test it and let me know. PM me if you need more information.