Since the referendum for Scottish independence from the UK is fast approaching (18th September 2014) I thought I'd make myself a little LED "YES" sign for my window.
It uses 73 LEDs wired as 24 series circuits of 3 and a single LED on it's own all across a 12V supply.
I found a good high resolution image of the "YES" logo on Google and printed it out on a sheet of paper before taping it to the wooden backing panel from a certificate sized picture frame. I used a pen to put a dot on each point of the logo where there was a change in direction, then filled in the remainder of the logo with evenly spaced dots, adjusting their spacing to the detail required.
I then transferred the dots to the wood using a sharp point to mark through the paper, then drilled a 3mm hole on each transferred dot.
I then drew an outline around each group of LEDs I was wiring together on the back of the wood to help with the lead orientation as I inserted them.
The LEDs I used are 4.8mm straw-hat style wide viewing angle LEDs, and I pushed the leads through the holes and folded them back on the rear of the wood to hold them in place.
Then came the laborious task of cropping them, bending the leads across each other for soldering the series circuits, and adding in one resistor per circuit of LEDs. 270 ohm for the groups of three and 820 ohm for the single LED that didn't fit into a multiple.
Then I hooked up all the positive and negative connections with some insulated wire and added a 12V DC power supply to finish the sign.
Originally I was going to put a photo quality image on the wood before putting the LEDs on, but the detail in the LEDs is good enough that the logo stands out well on a plain black surface.
I sprayed the front black using standard spray paint before mounting the LEDs. The paint dries very quickly on the plain wood finish.
It uses 73 LEDs wired as 24 series circuits of 3 and a single LED on it's own all across a 12V supply.
I found a good high resolution image of the "YES" logo on Google and printed it out on a sheet of paper before taping it to the wooden backing panel from a certificate sized picture frame. I used a pen to put a dot on each point of the logo where there was a change in direction, then filled in the remainder of the logo with evenly spaced dots, adjusting their spacing to the detail required.
I then transferred the dots to the wood using a sharp point to mark through the paper, then drilled a 3mm hole on each transferred dot.
I then drew an outline around each group of LEDs I was wiring together on the back of the wood to help with the lead orientation as I inserted them.
The LEDs I used are 4.8mm straw-hat style wide viewing angle LEDs, and I pushed the leads through the holes and folded them back on the rear of the wood to hold them in place.
Then came the laborious task of cropping them, bending the leads across each other for soldering the series circuits, and adding in one resistor per circuit of LEDs. 270 ohm for the groups of three and 820 ohm for the single LED that didn't fit into a multiple.
Then I hooked up all the positive and negative connections with some insulated wire and added a 12V DC power supply to finish the sign.
Originally I was going to put a photo quality image on the wood before putting the LEDs on, but the detail in the LEDs is good enough that the logo stands out well on a plain black surface.
I sprayed the front black using standard spray paint before mounting the LEDs. The paint dries very quickly on the plain wood finish.
At the time I would have been surprised… what with you living on the Isle of Man. But now, not so much.
Also at the time, it would have been a difficult journey (not saying it would not have been right or wrong… just tough road ahead).
Then again, now you got all the "difficulties" of a Yes vote and none of the benefits.
I guess, if you were in favour then… you are definitely in favour, now. Al least you'd be able to reap some of the benefits, you are deprived of, now.
I wonder, though… what is your view on the "Celtic Union" (you know, a federation / confederation / whateveration with Ireland which would likely expedite re-ascession into the EU, as compared to a singular Republic of Scotland… unless you dig up a James)?
It is such a shame that it didn't go true, would have been so much better for Scotland, especial now with the Brexit nonsense.
I always found the Scots to be a fairer, more progressive people than the English, apart from the frequent threats of facial reconfiguration of course.
love the "NO" vote bandaid postcard …
you have scottish ind. you live on the isle of man.
You really pulled out all the stops on that no sign
I love your element of fairness…..lol
Incredibly beautiful! =D So fun to watch this, I watched your "Teardown of an LED window sign." before this, perfect follow-up =D Love these videos! You seem to have an endless amount of knowledge!
Science and independence. My favourite 🙂
Hey Clive…would you be willing to give an idea or two on homemade lighting for hydroponic/aquaponic's? I really want to grow some veggies indoors, but the led lights are super expensive. I would like to make my own.
Either way, Thanks and condolences on the vote. I was really hoping for your independence.
In Aberdeen I see a lot of people with led Scottish flags hanging at their window and turned on at night.
I love you even more! 😀 YES!
See I'm still trying to pick, yes or no. I know the LED thing you did is a little joke and all but when I see people pushing for other to vote "YES" (not you) it saddens me….. the people of Scotland should be able to vote for whoever they like without feeling bullied into it or left out for saying no.
After all we are all voting for what we feel is best for Scotland…. you might say yes is better but deep down we all know both ways have huge risks. IMO a FAIR vote is a anonymous vote where you do what you feel is right. I was going to vote no at 1st then changed to yes but now with all this "vote yes" BS all over the place (esp facebook) I'm starting to think clearly the YES voters just want to "WIN" the vote and do not care about Scotland's future or other peoples views…. I guess the same reason Salmond allowed 16YOs to vote.
I'm not siding here and I know a lot of people will vote what they believe is the correct vote regardless but I just feel this has all gotten a bit out of hand and its far from a fair game. I dont know if you agree or not but I know MANY yes voters in my work that do agree and are voting yes the the correct reasons.
Keep up the videos 🙂
Nice one! it might be nice to diffuse the LED's a little. There's lots of ways you could go about it with different results. One of the simplest might be to cut the YES font out of a piece of black cardboard and on the back side of it glue a piece of tracing paper over the 'YES hole', ahem and secure the black card over the top of the rectangular area of your frame.
To improve the NO sign I suggest eating a pound of crab apples and refilling your marker ink with liquid poop.
Just an idea 😀 Keep up the good work and good luck on getting independence!
Regardless of how things go for you folks, please keep us fans across the pond updated on what is actually happening!
Hahahaha the sign is fantastic! both of them are!
Vote YES!!