LeeT
Wannabe AP Dude
I recently installed LEDs. I find them bright enough in the daytime to help with orientation. If you decide to do this, you need to have decent soldering skills, as you are literally soldering wire on a pad the size of the head of a pin. I bought my LEDs from HobbyParts (http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-10190.html, and http://www.hobbypartz.com/79p-10193.html). They are 12 volt, so I took power directly from the power distribution board.
Do not rely on the adhesive on the back of the LED strip. I used contact cement on both the LED strip and the frame arm. I masked the frame arm off to prevent getting the contact cement in places where I didn't want it. I connected the wires and checked for shorts with my ohm meter. After I flew it a few time, I double checked the wires that were soldered to the LED strips. I found two that were loose. After I resoldered, and checked for shorts, I used Shoe Goo to secure the ends of the LED strips.
I am currently using a manual switch from Radio Shack to turn them on. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?
productId=3097458&filterName=Type&filterValue=SPST)
I have ordered an RC on / off switch from HK. As soon as it gets here, I'll use AUX2 to turn on and off.
Sorry about not showing it outside flying, it is quite windy here today.
Let me know if you have any questions.
View attachment 4272
Do not rely on the adhesive on the back of the LED strip. I used contact cement on both the LED strip and the frame arm. I masked the frame arm off to prevent getting the contact cement in places where I didn't want it. I connected the wires and checked for shorts with my ohm meter. After I flew it a few time, I double checked the wires that were soldered to the LED strips. I found two that were loose. After I resoldered, and checked for shorts, I used Shoe Goo to secure the ends of the LED strips.
I am currently using a manual switch from Radio Shack to turn them on. (http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?
productId=3097458&filterName=Type&filterValue=SPST)
I have ordered an RC on / off switch from HK. As soon as it gets here, I'll use AUX2 to turn on and off.
Sorry about not showing it outside flying, it is quite windy here today.
Let me know if you have any questions.
View attachment 4272