LEDs or Light Emitting Diodes are one of the most important elements of the lights.
The leds I use actually contain a red, green and blue led chip within the same device
So although the specification for Mandala says it has 21 (rgb) leds that really means 21 each red, green and blue leds, making a total of 63 leds. Even the subtle and gorgeous Trance has 21 leds.
Leds are eco friendly and very energy efficient, they generate hardly any heat and last on average in excess of 50,000 hours, so you don't have to worry about replacing bulbs as there aren't any!
The Designs are created by multiple light guides, these direct the light from each led so it is "painted" in a particular shape or zone onto the viewing screen, which itself is made from a unique type of acrylic. In most designs the light guides are held in position by laser cut slots in two clear acrylic discs. Heart has 6 light guides, Mandala has 21.
The Colours are created by what is known as "additive synthesis" which is an elegant way of saying that you can create any colour of light by mixing the right proportion of red, green and blue light (hence RGB LED). Making each LED radiate the colours I want requires some sophisticated electronics and this is taken care of by one or more microcontroller chips.
The Colour Sequences, Channels and Zones are another crucial element, not just for the individual colours but also for how they play together.
Heart and Trance run 1 of 4 possible colour sequences across 3 channels, Mandala and Spiral run their sequences across 6 channels.
The sequences are individually composed from sets of unique colours held in memory and the software ensures the colours blend smoothly from one to the next.
A colour sequence plays in a colour channel and depending on the complexity of the design different designs use different numbers of channels.
Further more, each channel will have a different synchronisation, or relationship to its neighbours and some clever software gently shifts these relationships depending on how the controls are set.
Finally, depending on the design the colour channels illuminated one or more zones which make up the displayed image.
The end result is an enlivening, mesmerising colour trip like no other, well I think so!
All designs let you select one of four different colour sequences to suit your mood:-
Rainbow is a linear sequence of the colours of the rainbow. The overall sequence comprises long and shorter rainbows which run forwards and then backwards across the design. The last colour in the sequence is joined to the first in the next by lighter shades of violet before descending into red again. The Rainbow sequence is particularly good at showing movement through the design.
Polychromatic shows a wide range of colours from warm and vibrant to cool and pastel. Some of the colours are chosen to complement the visual design, for example Heart has fewer cool colours and more warm colours in its Polychromatic sequence.
The Warm colour sequence includes shades of red, purple, pink, orange and yellow.
The Cool colour sequence includes shades of blue, green, pale yellow, cyan and lilac.
The Speed settings have a fast or slow blend time from one colour to the next. At first you will enjoy the fast setting, but after a while you'll discover many more colours and subtle interactions on the slow setting, which is also more relaxing to gaze into over a longer period.
General Specification:
Dimensions: 155mm diameter x 85mm deep.
Case: Gloss white acrylic with polished stainless steel bezel.
Screen: Silk finish frosted acrylic.
Stand: Clear acrylic.
Power: 5V DC. Universal 100 – 240V AC adapter, white cable.
Power consumption: 1 – 2.5 watts, design dependent.
Controls: Colour & Speed slide switches
Colour Channels & Zones: Spiral: 6 channels, 6 zones, 12 rgb leds. Heart: 3 channels, 3 zones, 10 rgb leds
Mandala: 6 channels, 21 zones, 21 rgb leds + 8 white leds. Trance: 3 channels, 3 zones, 7 rgb leds.
Colour Sequences: Rainbow, Polychromatic (exact colours design dependent), Warm, Cool.
Speeds: Fast 5-6 secs, Slow 12-15 secs (exact speed is design dependent).
In the box: EllieDelight, Universal power adapter, Stand, Instructions.
Weight: Light alone 0.6Kg. Gift box complete 0.9Kg
Operating Instructions:
Download a pdf of the instructions here