The Framers Forum

Hi guys, hope all are well!

Apologies - I only seem to post when I'm needing a hand

Had a customer ring me today, needing 7 frames made at about 40cm squared - seems easy enough, however he then proceeds to let me know that he needs them to be individually illuminated (from within) and that he needs them by next Tuesday, to go in a shop window to 'brighten it up'!


Not a clue really on what to use - and im not feeling the greatest today!

Thought about l.e.d's due to lack of heat/power consumption - but was also thinking of those light panels but alas I can't seem to find any anywhere!!

Details about the finished job are a little sketchy at the moment; he hasn't given me the finished spec yet!!!

But if anyone can help in anyway possible I would be most grateful!

Cheers (AGAIN!!)

John

Have done it, but will look for instructions etc

Ian

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.ph ... it=battery

this was the subject some time ago

Ian

ps when I did mine the lighs came from lightsforfun, ......................I think
any more help just ask, not in workshop at present

I knew I'd seen this somewhere before!!!

Randomly though, does it need to be fitted/checked over my a qualified electrician prior to the customer picking it up? I'm sure I've read that somewhere but can't see it anywhere now! It makes sense I suppose?

Hi Jayvee

2 AA battery's are the power source, so no requirement for a sparky

Ian

Yeah I saw those, but I would prob need a mains supply as these would be on in the shop for most of the day and night! (7 x) 2 aa batteries being changed every other day could start to get expensive!!!

Then use a dolls house transformer that will step it down to 6/9/12 volts or a suitable voltage, wiring is then on bell wire

Or use rechargable batteries.

Another one I did earlier http://frontierpicturesframes.blogspot.com/ have a look at the Rock On third item down, it's a video of a frame with drumsticks in, with flashing lights ( sorry about the quality was sat on the floor taking this one), which I got from Lights4Fun, they are battery powered Christmas tree lights, bought 3 sets for the price of 2 less than £6.00 each, bargain!

Hi

I would be a wee bit nervous about this one. What are the legal, insurance and health and safety elements or requirements of this? Does it need to be CE marked to conform or comply?. If it is plugged in, does it need to be PAT tested (Portable appliance testing). I do not profess to know or if it is even a consideration, but I would need to study the requirements for the application first?

Time is not on your side and I guess there will always be someone who will help them out if you don't take the money and do the job with hopefully no problems. Knowing my luck, I would create something that did the job initially, but then I would be chased by all departments of the 'we will sue your a*s* off' ministry as a result of the fire you have just caused with equipment that was not suitably tested.

Electronic component outlets may help - Farnell, RS, Maplin, Rapid.

I wish you a bright future.

Regards
Deepjoy not wanting to be a Killjoy.

Deepjoy,

Yup my thoughts exactly about this also!! Luckily though-project has taken a different turn so I don't need to get into it all now!!!

I believe they are after stuff in the future so a little research between now and then wouldn't go a miss to be honest!! Thanks all for the help though!!!

On the PAT test issue, yes it will need to be PAT tested every year after the initial 12 months, but by the customer, not you.

He would (or should) be PAT testing everything in his workshop anyway.

The other major concern would be the glass in the display. Maybe should be acrylic.

The CE marking is on the electrical equipment you would purchase and again is the supplier of the equipment to comply, not your goodself

Why the use of acrylic rather than glass?

The use of lights in a frame seems to have more complications than is needed to be honest?! I know there is a health and safety risk associated and realistically it should be checked by a sparky, however whats the difference between supplying a box frame with some leds in, and a shop putting Christmas lights up?

You can buy ready made light boxes which can be framed

They are all in one units, so you don't have to worry to much and just frame the thing then

Everything else would then be the customers issue like pat testing etc

Any ideas in suppliers for these then? I've been having a look around but could only find ones that are mega bucks compared to LEDs?

There are some issues with public displays and ordinary glass. Like if it fell off the wall could cause injury and also if someone banged into it and broke the glass. Acrylic gets round this issue

http://www.led-lightbox.com/?page_id=16

just one for starters

Acrylic is a good idea for them

most of them will come with a facia and wont need glazing