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I'm starting up 40k again after a long absence, and I've been seeing people add LEDs to their vehicles. I think that's pretty cool, so I tried to find some tutorials, but the videos I could find were 5+ years old, some of the LED manufacturers were out of business, it wasn't always clear what tools to use, etc...

Here are my goals:

I'd like to do headlights for an Exorcist, and headlights + internal lighting for a Rhino and an Immolator.

I've done some Google searches, but I'm still unclear on which LED kit would be best (I'm in the USA, but willing to do international) and what tools I'd need. Since the Exorcist's interior doesn't ever need to be shown, that one seems easier. But the Rhino and the Immolator need to be able to show the interior, so I don't want a huge battery pack in it.

What tool(s) do I need to install the LED? Where do I put the light switch?

Any help would be appreciated!

Your best bet might be poweredplay.
https://www.poweredplaygaming.com/
They had a kickstarter a while back to get the 40k vehicle lighting kits into production.

They are currently moving premises but their FB page is still up, and so is that site. You can email them directly.

The easiest thing about their kits is no soldering required. It all just plugs together.
Depending on where and how you fit everything, sometimes the easiest place for a switch is underneath.

I did light up one of my rhinos years ago, but I used a rechargeable battery pack (3v) installed in the track side unit with the circuit board on the other side, a switch underneath at the front.
Regrettably, I didn't remember to take pictures of it (my projects used to be "go... finish" no WIP photos, no notes, just have an idea and run with it.

I've since learned to document stuff, but I've moved onto lighting up buildings instead.

 chromedog wrote:

I've since learned to document stuff, but I've moved onto lighting up buildings instead.

Thanks, I'll check the link out. Also, I do have a Battle Sanctum to build, so any lighting ideas for those...

I've used Evan Designs for pre-wired LEDs and was totally happy with both the product and the service, but the stuff is expensive.

https://evandesigns.com/products/3-volt-leds

I started with a a fistful of coin cells and switched battery housings, a range of colors, and a spool of wire. I found the blue and cool white to be more striking and the warm white and amber to be much more muted, and I learned there's a big difference between setting up a light to be seen and lighting up a space. But it's fun and easy and a nice added dimension to the hobby. There are two projects in my P&M blog, both terrain related, if you're interested. Most recently I lit this interior of a medical station:

Good God, that medical station looks awesome!!!

I posted this ages ago. It's more for a DIY LED project. There's no kit involved, just buying components (mostly from China).

Hopefully it's of some help - https://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/697347.page#8792792

Thanks everyone!

LeperColony wrote:

 chromedog wrote:

I've since learned to document stuff, but I've moved onto lighting up buildings instead.

Thanks, I'll check the link out. Also, I do have a Battle Sanctum to build, so any lighting ideas for those...

Unless you are handy with a soldering iron and the intricacies of calculating circuit resistance, stick with the other options shown. They're much friendlier to those new to electronics.

I do my own circuitboards and solder all of the things.
I haven't worked on ANY GW terrain in over a decade - there's just too much stuff to remove to start lighting it.

Not used it, but the Fallout Hobbies kit looks decent. It's where I'd go first if I was going to do it

https://www.fallouthobbies.com/collections/led/products/vehicle-led-lighting-kit

For your projects, you'll need a basic electronics toolkit, which should include a soldering iron, solder, wire cutters, and possibly some tweezers for handling small components. Look for small-scale LED kits designed for models and miniatures; there are some really compact battery options out there that can fit snugly into even the tightest spaces. As for the light switch, magnetic switches are a neat option because they're almost invisible and super easy to operate without disrupting the look of your model.

For specific LEDs, it's worth checking out hobbyist electronics sites since they often have the latest and most compact solutions. And while I was diving into similar projects, I stumbled upon https://leds.to/ which, although more geared towards household LED solutions, gave me a good understanding of different LED types and might help you get a grasp on what to look for in terms of brightness and battery life for your miniatures.

Aha! I have some excellent advice! (if I do say so myself) I very recently did mu first LED work with minis.

BrickStuff!! Flawless. Perfect. So so so so so easy.

Their designed for use with Lego kits, and they come all pre soldered, pre wired etc. Lots of colours. You can get them with a tiny battery pack with included switch - again, all pre-wired, with tiny plugs. Just plug in your LEDs and go.

https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p174/seed13xs.html
That's the battery module thing you'll want; easily small enough to fit into a 40k Vehicle, with a replaceable watch battery and included switch, and ports to plug in 2 LEDs

https://www.brickstuff.com/store/p270/leaf01-prd-4pk30.html
Those were the LEDs I bought. Again, tiny, perfect size of minis. Plugs and play.


There's loads of options and it's all extremely modular. I believe they are based out of the US but I got them easily in the UK. The only complaint is that there was quite a bit of excess wiring, but not a problem at all as I was using it for a vehicle so there's plenty of space to hide it away. They wouldn't be quite small and precise enough for, say, a space marine, but any 40k vehicle they'd be perfect for. Would whole-heartedly recommend.

https://evandesigns.com/products/3-volt-solid-leds
Is best! They not only prewire everything for you, but check your order to make sure the items you got are all compatible, and send you an email double checking that the (incompatible) items in your order are added with purpose and not by accident or due to lack of knowledge (like in my case).