Teslabe made the following post over in the thread Moebius Pod with Lights (http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/showthread.php?p=2803380#post2803380), but didn't want to hijack the thread. He's given me permission to copy his beginnings over here so we can get a more full explanation.

I try not to put batteries in my builds that have a room issue, instead I will use "Super Capacitors", which are much smaller, can be chargered over and over and will power most LED setups for a few minute after they are removed from the power source. Here is a photo of the copper pads I put on the front two landing pads of my PL J2. When the ship is on the display stand it powers the unit but if it gets picked up, it will run the Fusion core and Flight console lights for about three minutes. I will do the same on my Space Pod. Just a thought.

Capacitor Image (http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=81873&d=1240613094) ... Landing Pads Image (http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=81874&d=1240613094) ... Lit Consoles Image (http://www.hobbytalk.com/bbs1/attachment.php?attachmentid=81875&d=1240613094)

here is some more info.
http://www.ultracapacitors.org/index.php
http://www.ultracapacitors.org/ultracapacitor-products.html

I have a bunch if 1/32 scale slots that have that system. I'd frankly rather have a battery or plugin power supply.
How do you energize them? I'm sure it varies from build to build.

Steve

I have a bunch if 1/32 scale slots that have that system. I'd frankly rather have a battery or plugin power supply.
How do you energize them? I'm sure it varies from build to build.

Steve

Steve, I think your missing the point. It's not to replace power supplies, it so you don't have to have "hard wiring" to your build. The super cap is just so you can pick it up from the base I have my build sitting on and still have the lights work long enough to look at it, about 3 minutes. I will post pictures
Monday of what I did for my MIM Seaview, it's in my office at work. It's not for every build, but for the ones that have no room and a means to mount copper pads to. Like by PL J2 I have the plus and minus wires in the front two landing pads, when the ship is on it's base, power goes through those pads. The J2 has room for rechargable batteries, but the Space Pod will not.
I hope this helps....:wave:

It's a cool idea, I just remember looking at my fly cars as the lights..sloooowwly dim.
And how long do I leave my models lit?
about 3 mins...lol I'm always taking a quick look and then powering them back off. I'll look,.. your stuff is always a hoot to look at!

Steve

Here are pictures of the first build I used Super Caps in, it's my MIM Seaview.
I wanted to light it but also be able to pick it up and look in the observation
room without wires hanging off it. The Caps I used will power the sub for more
then 25min. And when I put it back on it's base the caps charge back up in about 30sec. and unlike rechargable batteries that can take 6-12hrs. Super
Caps can last for years without loss in performance. I made a demo circuit today using 9, 0.2 farad caps at 3 volts and hooked up one of my little blinky
light boards, it ran for over 17min. Not bad for caps as small as these are.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

P.S. I should of pointed out that I used Lead tape, Like you use on windows for alarms, for the conductors on the sub.

That is very cool!
it is nice to be able to pick the model up once in a while, not to zoom it around the room or anything....
nice build on the subs too! very cool.
hey, I have that same lava lamp! it's got a base like a '50s rocket.

Steve

That is very cool!
it is nice to be able to pick the model up once in a while, not to zoom it around the room or anything....
nice build on the subs too! very cool.
hey, I have that same lava lamp! it's got a base like a '50s rocket.

Steve

Thank you Steve, and I'll stop zooming my builds around the room.....;)
My girlfriend gave me the Lava Lamp.

Never stop "zooming'...when the ''zooming" stops a lot of the 'lil kid inside us dies.... I have never told the story about "zooming" my Seaview, the slot track is hung from the ceiling on cables...well, cables cut right through plastic...and putty and paint... lol

Steve

That's quite small for the output time!

Not remembering anything from my electronics classes, do you have any type of a diagram showing how this would go together?

Even a 12 volt AC slotcar system will only charge a 2 to 4 light system for 2 or 3 minutes....Capacitors give high voltage for limited periods of time. more like a limp home system than a failsafe.

Steve

Thank you Steve, and I'll stop zooming my builds around the room.....;)
My girlfriend gave me the Lava Lamp.

The Seaview does not "zoom." :drunk:

Dosen't it Steve? Doesn't it?

.......ZOOM!

Steve

J2s and flying subs "zoom." Cars zoom. Seaview does not "zoom."

Seaview does not "zoom."
Seaview "pings"

aye. I was going to say "swish" but thought better of it.

That's quite small for the output time!

Not remembering anything from my electronics classes, do you have any type of a diagram showing how this would go together?

Hi Paul,
They are in a parallel string giving me a total value of 1.8 farads at 3volts.

The Seaview does not "zoom." :drunk:

OMG, I think I just put my foot in it.....:rolleyes: It only pings.....:wave:

J2s and flying subs "zoom." Cars zoom. Seaview does not "zoom."


Technically, I think the Flying Sub goes "Whoosh!!"

Gene

I remember a distinctive whine as FS flew. I think she also whined, albeit at a lower pitch, while underwater.

when I was zooming mine around and snagged it on the suspension wires for the slottrack...I think I heard a sound like a boatfull of sailors swearing...could have been my imagination...

Steve