Adding LED lights to a plane ?

[alan0043]

Hi Everyone,

I have some questions about adding LED's to my plane. I have searched the forum and found some ideas. But I want to see if there is any more ideas to think about. My plan is to use a gear channel (5or6) to control the lights on/off. I tried that idea with the FT EZ LED 2pk ( https://store.flitetest.com/ez-led-2pk-red/ ) but that idea failed. I burnt up the LED's. I don't believe those LED's can handle 5 volts. The package does not say what voltage the lights use. What LED's do you guys like ? The plane is a Bixler 2. Wing spam of 59".

Open to all input,
Al

 

[Pieliker96]

The product page says they're rated for 1S LiPo (4.2v max). Definitely should be more visible there and on the packaging IMO.

If you're scratch-building with white foamboard, you can put LED tape inside the wing to provide diffuse lighting. I've done it in years past with some 5v USB powered tape from the hardware store. They came with little infrared receiver control boards and a remote to change the lighting and provide effects (rainbow, flashing, strobe, etc.) Ran a 10A 5v BEC and a strip in each wing to get orientation while flying, worked great.

Another option for stuff that has solid-core wings or that is already built is to make a little channel in the bottom of the wing, lay the LED strip down into it, then cover it with translucent tape to diffuse the lighting. My dad has a night radian and the effect works pretty well. It also has individually addressable LEDs with a controller so you can get some really neat effects, far beyond just having each wing be a different color.

 

[Bayboos]

Please read this article:

WINTER SWAPPABLES PART 2: LANDING LIGHTS

Some links (especially to the specific parts) may not work anymore, but the wiring diagram and photos still do. If you are not limited to small voltage (or very low weight) I strongly recommend using 12v components - mugh bigger choice of much cheaper parts. Even if your plane does not use 3s accu, there are tons of step-up/down voltage regulators that can help; and ultimately you can always use a separate 3s battery for the lights alone.

I don't think using 5v directly from a servo control will work at all - simply because the control signal almost never goes to the extremes (0v or 5v), and it may not be capable of carrying enough current. The "external", rc-controlled switch is the way to go. There are tons of options available for cheap, and capable of handling wide range of voltages (usually up to 6s) and currents.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[Merv]

+1 on 12v LED's
I use a 3S battery in my plane & just plug in 12v LED's into the balance plug.
Works great, easy & cheap.

 

[Bricks]

^^^^ This is what I use get the cheap 12 volt LED`s off of Aliexpress by the roll. To keep weight down I use copper coated motor winding wire.

 

[Merv]

...To keep weight down I use copper coated motor winding wire.

What a great idea.

 

[alan0043]

Hi Everyone,

Just to let everyone know that I am still reading all input. My thought is to have my lights controlled by a switch on my transmitter.