solved my rangefinder LED problem

well, just in case some of you still haven't figured out how to get working flashing leds, i just found some parts to build this myself. if my memory serves me right i heard a lot of folks had a problem finding those switches.
i went to an electronic store and bought a flashing kit for model trains, unfortunately those run on 12 volts, but the good part is there are tiny 12 volt batteries available and 12 volt leds as well. all parts had cost me a little less than 20 bucks, already had some wiring an solder at home, and went at it. the entire build fits easily into a terminal fettler rangefinder.
no wires to run through the stalk. rangefinder goes down, leds start flashing. rangefinder goes up, leds go out. i installed a yellow led on the inside as well, but that one turned out to be rather weak, so i'm gonna change to a brighter white later on.

the store i bought from ships worldwide, online presence can be found here:
http://www.conrad.de/elektronik/

and here is the parts list of the stuff i used:
2x 12volt red led part no. 182451
1x 12 volt yellow led part no. 182486
1x switch part no 700444
1x 12 volt battery a27, part no. 626740
1x flashing kit part no. 210995

you don't have to use the yellow led if you only want the red led's in front to flash. besides the parts above all you need is some wires, solder, soldering gun and some patience ...

Cool...
Are you planning on making a tutorial for the electronically challenged?

Nice job, like the little battery! I went with the mrgr8ness one and it really adds something to the overall costume.

Originally Posted by Mojo-Fett

Cool...
Are you planning on making a tutorial for the electronically challenged?

ain't that difficult, the kit comes with instructions in numerous languages including english, once you got that done all you need to do is hook up the switch and the battery. really easy. the only tricky part was to mount the switch in such a position that would turn on and off as desired. that was done by trial and error, once i had the correct position i epoxied it in place.

Originally Posted by volkerc

the kit comes with instructions in numerous languages

Cheers

Forgive me volker, as this is a pretty dumb question....

Is it a matter of the 'right' leds because I know I purchased led's that flash from radio shack on multiple ocasions. When i was flying RC planes at night with fireworks on them. I used them on the wing tips so I knew when I was looking at the top and the bottom.

I had planned to use those when i got to the LED part. Im just trying to understand if I have to change my thought process

If you're in the UK try Maplins kit, part no. MK102 This even has a couple of adjusters so you can tune the sequence just right...

Originally Posted by Stormrider

Forgive me volker, as this is a pretty dumb question....

Is it a matter of the 'right' leds because I know I purchased led's that flash from radio shack on multiple ocasions. When i was flying RC planes at night with fireworks on them. I used them on the wing tips so I knew when I was looking at the top and the bottom.

I had planned to use those when i got to the LED part. Im just trying to understand if I have to change my thought process

i'm not an electrical wizard myself. but the leds must work with the power input and the kit you are using. i'm sure there are multiple kits out there that might not need 12 volts. i just posted what i found and know is working. i'm glad terminal fettler stated another source.

The Maplins kit uses 8-15v, i run wires down the stalk to the helmet as this kit is slightly larger than Volkercs and use a 9v battery...

If you're in the UK try Maplins kit, part no. MK102

Thanks Terminal! Do they have an online store? And Storm, do you mean that the LEDs themselved flash, rather than having to need a flashing board?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=22544

This is the Maplins site.

TF assuming you've bought one,

does it fit in the rangefinder easily?
Can you just fit a tilt switch between the power cables or is it more complicated?

that one seems a bit on the large side. i used one of these on my right gaunt, and the one i used on my gaunt won't fit in tf rangefinder. i also forgot to mention that with the kit i used i had to cut a small area from the clear part of the rangefinder just to have enough room.

Originally Posted by madmanmoe64

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?moduleno=22544

This is the Maplins site.

TF assuming you've bought one,

does it fit in the rangefinder easily?
Can you just fit a tilt switch between the power cables or is it more complicated?

Depends on which RF top you use i suppose, fitting the unit from Maplins requires laying a couple of the components on the board flat, the tilt switch i put at the stalk end of the RF top, it all squeezes in but no room for a battery so the wires have to run into the helmet...

wow. you stuffed everything in!

Yeah, it was VERY tight, definitely no room for a battery!