Adding a Splash of Color to Your AE Network
Applied Energistics revolutionized storage and automation in Minecraft, turning chaotic chest rooms into sleek digital systems. But until recently, lighting your base with the same elegance meant running separate power lines or relying on old-fashioned torches. AE Lights changes that, bridging the gap between your ME network and atmospheric illumination. This Forge mod introduces 16 vibrant light blocks that draw power directly from your AE system, letting you color-coordinate your workshop, factory, or even a disco floor without breaking the aesthetic.
What Exactly Are AE Lights?
AE Lights is a compact add-on for Applied Energistics that adds light-emitting blocks in all standard Minecraft dye colors. Each light acts like an AE machine, connecting to any colored AE cable and forming a contiguous network when placed adjacent to other lights. They consume a steady 2 AE/t (roughly equivalent to 1 EU/t), making them efficient enough to dot an entire base without tanking your power reserves. The mod was originally developed for Minecraft 1.6.4 and requires Forge along with Applied Energistics Rv13 or newer, so it slots neatly into tech-oriented modpacks of that era.
Key Features That Make AE Lights Shine
- 16 Color Variants: Craft any dye color you need, from stark white to deep magenta, and the lamp will match perfectly.
- Seamless Network Integration: Lights connect directly to AE cables and extend the network just like terminals or drives, so you can place them anywhere your cables reach.
- Internal Battery Buffer: Each light holds a small 20AE charge, preventing flicker during network reboots or momentary power dips.
- WAILA Compatibility: Hover over a light to see its stored power, or right-click with an empty hand to check the battery level without WAILA.
- Configurable Power Draw: Through the config file, you can adjust the AE/t consumption—even set it to zero for purely decorative lights.
How AE Lights Behave on Your Network
When you place an AE Light, your ME network performs a quick reboot, just like when you add any new machine. This means you should pause any active crafting jobs before installation to avoid interruptions. Once online, the light draws from your main energy storage and illuminates the area. Lights placed next to each other will propagate the network, so you can create long strips of color without needing a cable behind every block. Currently, there’s no built-in switch to toggle them off except by physically disconnecting the cable, but that’s on the roadmap for future updates.
Crafting Your First Colored Lamp
The core ingredient for all AE Lights is Lux Dust, a new item added by the mod. The recipe is shapeless and yields two dust from one each of Redstone Ore, Glowstone Dust, Nether Quartz Dust, and Certus Quartz Dust. Once you have your Lux Dust, combine it with Quartz Glass and the dye of your choice to produce six lamps of that color. The exact recipe uses 4 Lux Dust, 4 Quartz Glass, and 1 dye, giving you a generous batch to work with.
If you're eager to try these lights but dread manual mod installation, the foxygame.net launcher simplifies the process immensely. Its built-in mod browser lets you search for AE Lights, handle dependencies like Applied Energistics, and launch the game without juggling folders—perfect for players who want to focus on building, not troubleshooting.
Installation and Requirements
To get AE Lights running, you need Minecraft 1.6.4 with Forge installed, plus Applied Energistics Rv13 or higher. Simply drop the mod’s .jar file into your mods folder. The configuration file generates automatically on first launch, letting you reassign block and item IDs if conflicts arise. The mod also automatically adjusts IDs to avoid clashes, so most players won’t need to touch the config at all.
Planned Updates and Community Suggestions
The developer has outlined several exciting additions beyond the initial beta. These include:
- Light Add-ons: Backup batteries to keep lights glowing longer during outages, and anti-mob spawning modules similar to the Magnum Torch.
- Control Machines: Dedicated devices to toggle lights, create patterns, or sequence colors—ideal for disco floors or automated mood lighting.
- More Integration: Further compatibility with AE sub-networks and potential support for newer Minecraft versions if the community shows interest.
If you have ideas or encounter bugs, the mod’s forum thread (originally on the Minecraft Forum) remains a place to share feedback. The developer encourages spotlights and modpack inclusions, so feel free to showcase your illuminated builds.
Modpack Permissions and Licensing
AE Lights is copyright 2014 by Craft Minecraft Development, but the creator explicitly allows inclusion in both public and private modpacks. This open permission, combined with its lightweight footprint, makes it a popular choice for tech-focused packs that already feature Applied Energistics. You can find more details on the original development site (dev.craftminecraft.net).
Conclusion: A Bright Idea for AE Enthusiasts
AE Lights fills a small but meaningful niche for players who want their ME network to do more than just store items. By turning your data cables into a power source for colorful lighting, it adds both function and flair. The simple crafting, low power cost, and network-aware design make it a seamless addition to any 1.6.4 modded world. While the mod awaits its next big update, it already offers a reliable way to light up your base with the same sophistication as the rest of your AE setup. Whether you’re building a clean laboratory or a vibrant nightclub, these lamps prove that even in the world of digital storage, a little illumination goes a long way.