# LED lights \[for pinewood derby cars\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 19, 2025, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473 "2025-02-19T00:15:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/21 "2025-02-19T03:37:39Z")
My son participated in the Pinewood Derby four times, and for his third race we eschewed the fancy band saw and instead simply cut off one end slightly (about a 1/4 inch) to achieve the proper weight. Then painted it bright yellow and added graphics (from a Hallmark greeting card) make a SpongeBob SquarePants car! It was not in the least bit aerodynamic. He was instead going for best-looking car. But we did make sure the wheels were on straight and added graphite to the axles. My son didn’t win an award for best-looking car. But he did get an award for speed, coming in third place for his age group. 😄 I guess the wheels make the biggest difference. Oh, and he also got his picture in the local paper holding his car, with the caption “Just a block of wood.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/22 "2025-02-19T04:49:06Z")
Google USB powered led strip. Connect one of those cigarette lighter to usb sockets to a 12 volt battery. Plug in the usb led strip. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/23 "2025-02-19T07:17:13Z")
This may, or may not, be helpful, [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/9yo7FisdwwU/maxresdefault.jpg "The Comprehensive Newbie Guide to LEDs in Miniatures Terrain") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yo7FisdwwU) ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/24 "2025-02-19T12:20:19Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > I don’t really know if there’s a walk-in store to buy electronic components, _a la_ Radio Shack I know you’re not the OP, but for some reason I thought you were in my general area (Wisconsin/Illinois), in which case, you might be near an American Science and Surplus. If you’re still mourning the loss of Radio Shack, it might be worth a pilgrimage to see if they can help fill the void. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/25 "2025-02-19T13:04:09Z")
My grandnephew put headlights and taillights on his car a few years ago. Details are sketchy, but I believe he cut a hollow space under the seat and put two micro flashlights (Photon Micros or something similar) facing to the sides. He then drilled holes from the ends of the car lengthwise and inserted “light pipes” of the appropriate color (white, orange, and red). This was pretty easy, as the pipe (which was actually some kind of PLFA, I think) was about 1/4" in diameter. He’d remove the seat, turn on one flashlight and insert it facing to the left, then insert the other facing to the right, and put the seat back. I don’t think he used any actual wiring. It was pretty bright, but didn’t flash or move sequentially or anything like that. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/26 "2025-02-19T14:08:09Z")
Thank you all for the suggestions, but I need to further clarify: I am looking for an answer on how to power a small strip of [this type of led lights](https://a.co/d/aavF0Cv). They can be cut to size, and are extremely bright. The power source must be able to fit on or in a pinewood derby car. The boys are not looking for realism, or small head/tail lights. They want a bright beacon of light rolling down the track. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/27 "2025-02-19T14:20:28Z")
A23 batteries are single 12 volt units and you can get battery holders for them on Amazon. Some may have switches. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/28 "2025-02-19T14:42:01Z")
> [@engineer\_comp\_geek](#): > > Google’s bullshit generator thinks that it’s legal to put LED lights on a pinewood derby car but I couldn’t find an actual cite to back it up. The bullshit generator’s link for where it says they are allowed just goes to various kits and youtube videos explaining how to do it. There’s no link to any actual rules. Having been involved in Cub Scouts for about seven years now, the general rules are that it has to meet the dimensional requirements (height, width, length), have the original wheels and axles, and weigh no more than 5 oz total. Most packs require only graphite as the lubricant, but that may vary. Otherwise the sky’s the limit. We typically use a fair amount of balsa wood, super glue, and wood filler for my boys’ cars, along with a fair amount of sanding and painting to make it look decent. Also, Lego men are always popular as drivers/pilots. As far as cool looking goes, we got a lot of oohs and aaahs using this paint. It’s that kind that shifts from say… purple to turquoise depending on what angle you’re looking from. [Vallejo The Shifters Eccentric Color Series Acrylic Airbrush Colors | BLICK Art Materials](https://www.dickblick.com/products/vallejo-the-shifters-eccentric-color-series-acrylic-airbrush-colors/) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/29 "2025-02-19T17:13:13Z")
Love this!! Do you have an Etsy or gallery of your work? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/30 "2025-02-19T17:30:02Z")
No gallery, but I’ve been meaning to update my printables profile with my makes so I have the pictures online somewhere other than imgur. Here’s a picture that I posted in the What Made You Smile thread. Most of the lights in this picture aren’t solid, but moving/dancing around, but the LEDs look terrible [on video](https://i.imgur.com/Fd00UBr.mp4). [![](https://i.imgur.com/ziL4Uf0.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/ziL4Uf0.jpeg) I’ve been meaning to start a general 3D printing thread (or looking to see if one exists already) so I don’t overwhelm that thread with all my prints. Also, just made this one a few days ago. [![](https://i.imgur.com/zpGCH0B.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/zpGCH0B.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![DocCathode](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doccathode/32/18773_2.png) [@DocCathode](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DocCathode)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/31 "2025-02-19T17:40:45Z")
OOOOH! (words added for Discourse) ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2025, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/32 "2025-02-19T18:03:42Z")
Thanks for sharing! Those are really neat. They’d look great at a party, storefront, club, etc. You really should make a gallery of them somewhere! ---
**Author:** ![Kedikat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed655f/32.png) [@Kedikat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kedikat)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/33 "2025-02-20T00:12:25Z")
This will give a regulated 12 Volts from the battery. So not too high from a freshly charged battery, and not too low from a partially drained battery. > **[DROK DC-DC Stabilizer, 9V-36V to 12V Boost Buck Converter 5A 60W Waterproof Auto...](https://www.amazon.ca/Stabilizer-DROK-Waterproof-Transformer-Television/dp/B081RG8XP5)** > > DROK DCDC Power Supply Stabilizer ModuleTechnical Specification: Input Voltage: DC 9V~36V (12V) Output Voltage: DC 12V Output Current: 5A Output Power: 60W Conversion Efficiency: \>90% No Load Voltage Range: Set voltage ±3% Load Regulation: ±3%... ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2025, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473/34 "2025-02-20T00:22:55Z")
> [@Kedikat](#): > > regulated 12 Volts from the battery At 67 grams, it’s half the weight allowed for the entire car. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/led-lights-for-pinewood-derby-cars/1014473.md?page=1)