Tips & warnings for backlit panels please

[Marthony]

Hello,

I'll soon be adding backlit panels to my G1 cartoon Megatron costume build and am seeking tips & warnings to cut down on my fool's tax.

The chest will be made of double-thickness cardboard. The 1st draft at building it is pictured here: http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y470/Martaxus/Frontviewlargersymbol_zpsd6a565ef.jpg (I plan to change the proportions on the upper chest somewhat, and reduce the gaps between the side-stomach slats from 5mm to 3mm)

Presently the plan for each triangle, circle & square is:
- add a 3rd layer of cardboard behind each area, with white paper attached & facing outwards
- cut away the 2nd layer giving about 1" of space around each area
- attach colored acetate over top of the exterior 1st layer
- mount white or colored LED's in the space of the 2nd layer, in such a way that it lights the white paper but doesn't hit the acetate directly

I'm curious as to if there is benefit of using colored LED's with colored acetate (I have both in stock) or if I should simply use white LED's with the colored acetate?

(LED's will be powered by 9V batteries; I've done this wiring before with my Optimus Prime rig, but those LED's were exposed: http://i1276.photobucket.com/albums/y470/Martaxus/ComicExpo2_zps41cc52b3.jpg)

Please advise if you've experience with this.

Thanks!

 

[Scotophor]

If you take a white LED and a colored LED of the same output rating (candelas or millicandelas), driven appropriately, and place both of them behind a colored plastic filter of roughly the same color as the colored LED, the white LED will appear dimmer than the colored LED, and its color more washed out and less pure. If you're simulating an original item that used incandescent bulb(s) for lighting, the white LED will probably look more like the original, but if you just want bright color that "pops", go with the colored LED.

 

[Marthony]

Thanks Scotophor! I will proceed with colored LED's behind colored acetate then.