The Build

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  Lights, camera, action....

  February 22, 2020 - I wanted to add lights and sounds to the Millennium Falcon after I saw some videos on YouTube. There are a couple options. LightMyFalcon.com is very expensive and you always have to get in on a pre-order as the demand is high (I guess). The upside is you get a clean install, they illuminate more areas and details than other kits do, they provide modified Lego parts with lights attached already, and they synchronize sound effects to lighting effects for a more cohesive experience. They are also based in the U.S. which is convenient for me.
  
  I decided to go with LightMyBricks.com instead as they had everything in stock ready to go for a fraction of the price. The downside is they are in Australia and they only use DHL for shipping so the shipping is a fixed price whether you order 10 items or 1, some of their wiring isn't as clean looking, and I feel their kit is lacking in design and doesn't include enough components. Fortunately a seller on Amazon (Brixsmax) came to the rescue inexpensively and with free 2 day shipping.
  
  I spent $113 for the kit, and $57 for the remote control and sound board with speaker. I also purchased a battery box, and a USB adapter with wall plug and a long cord as I wasn't sure how I wanted to power it. I also had them swap out the white LED light strips for the engines with blue ones which they did at no additional charge which was nice.
  
  I only wanted to wire the engines, the two red lights for the mandibles, and the cockpit. I felt the wiring for the gun turrets was sloppy looking, plus I didn't want the gun turrets constantly illuminated as it's an all on at the same time kind of kit.
  
  I wound up running out of parts. While everything was included on the inventory sheet that came with the kit, I feel it was short a few cables and a couple adapter boards. The tension on the cables coming from the mandibles is so tight going into the adapter boards that I feel like the wires will eventually separate from the connectors. I also have no way to wire in the cockpit lights to an adapter board. The 12 port board they provided was defective and doesn't work.
  
  I contacted the company about this and so far they don't seem to care and I can't bring my self to give them another $50 to complete the $113 kit which should have included all the components needed to get the job done. In order to get a replacement 12 port board they expect me to ship it back to them so they can test it. I'm not spending the money to send back a part. I don't see how sending me a replacement part is going to bankrupt their company, but I digress.
  
  LightMyFalcon.com operates another website called BrickStuff.com. They offer similar lighting components. I did send them a photograph of the boards and cable ends and they say their pico lights and micro boards are compatible so there's another option for you.
  
  My other nitpick on these lighting kits are the tiny square double sided stickers that are supposed to hold the lights in place on floors and ceilings. While they stick well to the ship the lights are prone to pop off the stickers. I put on a some rubber cement and/or a stip of tape to ensure the lights stayed in place. The only lights I used these stickers with were in the cockpit and they both attach to the lower half of the cone. If you are lighting door ways, good luck with the lights not falling off as gravity is working against you.
  
  Click to enlarge the photos below.