Electrical help (Not really car related)

[Hyperion]

Hey guys so I'm planning ahead here for Halloween, but I need some help.
I'm looking to make an Iron man chest piece and hand piece, the chest piece is simple enough, however what i'm looking for is something that will slowly increase the voltage given to the bulbs on my hand to give the charging effect.
I'm pretty sure you've all seen Iron Man and know what I'm talking about.
Any tips/hints would be helpful.
Thanks.

[XTOTHEL]

I might be able to program a chip to do that :) Pretty much you want a fading effect for the LEDs... assuming you're using LEDs.

[Fuyuzora]

For a really simple (ghetto?) solution, you could always run a potentiometer (variable resistor) down to your other hand and just dial it up/down to vary brightness.

Not exactly elegant, but would be cheap, easy, and assuming everyone's watching your right hand "charge" nobody will notice the potentiometer anyway.

[Hyperion]

For a really simple (ghetto?) solution, you could always run a potentiometer (variable resistor) down to your other hand and just dial it up/down to vary brightness.

Not exactly elegant, but would be cheap, easy, and assuming everyone's watching your right hand "charge" nobody will notice the potentiometer anyway.

Omg that's exactly what I was imagining, I just didn't know the name.
Too bad it says usually not for more than 1 watt of power. Thankfully leds don't require much power.

[Hyperion]

Dimmable driver
http://www.luxeonstar.com/700mA-Ext-Dimmable-BuckPuck-Driver-With-Leads-p/3023-d-e-700.htm
Luxeon Star
http://www.luxeonstar.com/Cool-White-5650K-7-LED-40mm-Round-Assembly-p/sr-02-wc310.htm

[XTOTHEL]

How many LEDs did you want per hand?

[Hyperion]

Because of the price for 1 star ($58) + shipping + driver ($20) I will actually only be doing the hand now. As I don't want to be spending $150 for Halloween costume.
I will just be making something similar to this;
http://www.iwatchstuff.com/2008/01/15/iron-man-arm-thing.jpg

[XTOTHEL]

That's really expensive...you could easily use a flashlight thing...see if the dollar store sells any LED flashlights with a bunch of LEDs in the front.

Also you know you bought a chip right?

[Hyperion]

Problem is, this is a much brighter led. And I want a really tight beam, which this gives me.
What do you mean chip?

[XTOTHEL]

I meant that you bought this square thing: http://www.luxdrive.com/download/?dltf&dmid=1109

Also here's what Fuyuzora meant for the manual setup:

The knob is a 10k potentiometer (only one I have) and the other thing is obviously and LED (white costs a few cents). This is when it is dim, the knob turned max to one side (max resistance):
http://www.xosfere.com/misc/led_dim.jpg

and here it is turned to the other side (lowest resistance):
http://www.xosfere.com/misc/led_bright.jpg

This set up is probably the cheapest for you, just need to have some batteries on the other end.

[Hyperion]

Yea I know how to make the circuit. I'm just looking for the strongest light. The LED has a 180 degree, while the Luxeon star can be focused in a 12 degree beam.
I believe I need that driver so that the current from the battery doesn't over power the LED, since this gets its power from the current not the voltage.
But I haven't actually bought anything yet.

[XTOTHEL]

Okay, whatever you want to do is up to you. IMO you don't need something like that. But if you do end up using it, the LEDs also require heatsinks.

Also for my LEDs...did I say Hyerion? I meant Fuyuzora :(

[Hyperion]

I'll try it first without since that will be cheaper.
Where did you get your potentiometer, what rating should I get, and will I need resistors?
Also good place to buy LED's?

[k13]

If you're in the downtown core, there are a few electronics shops along College on both sides of Spadina.