166 replies to this topic

[FortFlyer]

I am giving some thought to a light setup that uses very small batteries and a charging system that works like those shaker flashlights. All custom made with small light weight materials. As the kite turned it would make the charging system work, keeping the very small batteries charged and the 4 LEDs lit. This is all just a thought at the moment, might try to have something to try out at WSIKF this summer.

LOL that would be cool dive stop to charge the system

[bobw]

LOL that would be cool dive stop to charge the system

And if they totally ran out of juice and went dark, you could crash stop it and then find your kite

[chrsfincher]

ok these r the lights i started with http://www.getflashl..._evlkcbubp.html i got them from dollar general for less than 5 dollars. if u take the rings off and take them apart u can take a battery out and bend the press switch so they will always be on. i did this the first night and it worked great i had them on the back of my rev 1.5. i just used double sided tape to hold them on and i put two on each side facing down from the leading edge. it worked pretty good till i got a good spin goin and watched a light fly off. found it and put it in my pocket and kept flyin. because they were on the back it looked like i had 2 pink and 2 blue lights it was pretty cool. well needless to say with them on forever i rewired them to work off a 2 cell pack i got at radioshack http://www.radioshac...oductId=2102737
the one i found looked like that but it had a red and a black wire coming out of it with a screw to hold the cover on.
i took it home and took all the the keychains apart and used some old speaker wire to wire the leds inside the keychains to the battery. i put a tiny switch in the battery box there is just enough room if you get a very small switch. i also took all the watch batterys out of the keychains and used my exacto knife to cut a knotch in the plastic so i could have a place for the wire to go out and it still screw together. once i had all 4 wired i laid them out and cut sum small squares of velcro out and placed them on the kite the sticky does just evough stick to hold but when u want to remove it doesnt stick to your kite and leave that gummy crap we all hate. i laid out the wires and spliced them all together so i could get as much weight off as possible. this time i moved the lights around to the front so that there r two on the top pointing down the from the leading edge on the tips. the other two i put on the bottom of the tips pointing up into the kite toward the white center piece. i havent had a chance to fly it with the new set up but i will try to get some picks so you guys can see what im talkin about. and for only about 10 dollars im satisfied

ok so i went out and flew the kite with the lights on it i think i am goin to go back to the watch batterys and just put a switch in all the keychains to turn them on and off. the AA pack is just to heavy for me. thought i would let u guys know so u dont make the same mistake

[SkyPuppet]

I was posting under the Glowing Revs topic, but I noticed this one seemed more comprehensive, so I'll add to this topic instead.

I finally went out and flew with some night lights I was out in 6-10 mph variable conditions, Race frame, 1.5 B full-sail.

I used the setup Bazzer recommended (from the Glowing Revs topic), here are the specifics:

LEDs = 5mm, 7000 mcd (intensity), 30 degree viewing angle. 5 of them.
Batteries = CR1632 coin cell.
Scotch brand Indoor Mounting Squares. Each square cut into 4 squares.
Electrical tape, cut into small squares.

Each LED/battery/tape combo weighed 2.1 grams!! X5 for a total of 10.5 grams! That's nothing! Could add many more!!

Following are instructions for getting these babies prepped for the field! Better to get this done at your work bench/coffee table than out in the dark.....



Step 1: Bend positive lead (the longer wire) at a 90 degree angle, and lay it across a piece of the Scotch double-sided tape with the backing removed.
Step2: Attach the LED lead with Scotch tape to the positive (+ or side with writing) side of the battery.
Step 3: On the negative side of the battery, attach a piece of electrical tape.

You are now ready to travel to your flying spot. Since everything is taped, you shouldn't have any LEDs turning on by accident.

Once you're ready to fly:

Step 4: Rotate the LED so that the free wire is ready to be bent over the negative side of the battery.
Step 5: Peel back the electrical tape, and bend the free LED wire over the exposed negative side of the battery. Touch the wire to the battery, and use the electrical tape you peeled back previously to attach the wire to the battery. The LED will turn on.

Now, with the LED on, peel the backing off the Scotch tape square, and attach to the Rev! I attached 3 to the LE (specifically, to the LE material), one in the center and one at each tip, and I attached 1 to the heavy sail material at the bottom of each vertical spar tip.
I was nervous that the tape wouldn't hold, but no problems at all, and I flew for a couple hours, doing non-stop tricks!! I really thought the axel would dislodge 'em, but nope! Even better, when I went to remove them, they peeled off exceptionally cleanly and easily!!

Oh my, it looked fantastic! ESPECIALLY axels!! Stationary bicycle spins looked awesome! As did the dive....stop!

I am now on the hunt for the ultimate setup!! I'm about to buy a sackful of LEDs in different styles to see which work best.....
In the meantime, the CR1632 battery is working ok...... It lasted at least 2 hours so far...... It is quite a bit smaller compared to a CR2025 battery, and not as heavy...... I hope its the best choice from a performance/economy standpoint.

I'll report back when I hit on the right combination of LED and battery!!

[Crowsong]

Love is... dressing up my Zen with blue and purple LEDs and flying on the beach after sunset!

[SkyPuppet]

Yes.... I do believe that IS the definition of love!

[ahofer]

Flew last night with finger lights on my Zen. Tide was high-ish so I flew on 50 foot lines. I've always found the zen a bit difficult on short lines, and the lights don't help. Nonetheless - Success!

The finger lights can light up the fabric of the kite if you can position them correctly. On the peaks, I ditched the cord they came with and used rubber bands to fix them to the endcaps, in a position that hit the kite fabric as it bellies in the wind. The ones I fixed on the ends of the leading edge didn't light much sail.


I have video, which will be in need of editing (my 11 year-old took it).

[SkyPuppet]

<snip>
The finger lights can light up the fabric of the kite if you can position them correctly. <snip>

Flying a Zen on the beach at night must be amazing..... Even more so lit up with finger lights! I have some on order, they flash 3 colors in different patterns

The light a LED casts is very directional. The 30 degree viewing angle LEDs I used in the post above can have a very high intensity (expressed in millicandella, or mcd). But with the 30 degree viewing angle, the light is emitted in a very narrow shaped cone out of the tip of the LED.

Component LEDs are available with viewing angles from like 8 degrees all the way up to 360 degrees. As your viewing angle increases, however, your intensity decreases significantly.

I bought a bunch of component LEDs in various viewing angle/intensity combinations, and am awaiting their delivery. Soon I'll have my Rev lookin' like one of those ravers I used to party with in my twenties

[mbro]

Hey Sky, When I bought my LEDs I purchased the 10mm, BIG things, I can't remember what viewing angle they had but it seemed small to me, I read somwhere that the rounded end of the LED is what determines viewing angle! so I experimented with grinding the round edge off a little at a time to widen the view area, all of mine are flat now and much brighter viewing angle, something to play with
Michael

[SkyPuppet]

Hey Sky, When I bought my LEDs I purchased the 10mm, BIG things, I can't remember what viewing angle they had but it seemed small to me, I read somwhere that the rounded end of the LED is what determines viewing angle! so I experimented with grinding the round edge off a little at a time to widen the view area, all of mine are flat now and much brighter viewing angle, something to play with
Michael

Thanks for the tip mbro!

Every LED with a 360 degree viewing angle has a "diffused" lense, which basically looks like a clear lense that has been put to a grinder! Also the 120 degree LEDs I ordered have a flat top to them - mbro you are totally onto something there! I'll try filing my 30 degree LEDs down tonight!!

[mbro]

No problem, Hope it works out for you
Michael

[stroke survivor]

I'm wondering if "faceting" the lens will give it a wider angle to view???

[SkyPuppet]

Some of the flat LEDs are made with facets, however, the ones I've seen were special for circuit boards.

It would be possible to grind a rounded LED and make facets! They won't be perfect but it's worth a shot

[SkyPuppet]

I've been out on a few night flights now!

I've found the CR1632 sized coin-cell battery lasts at least 14 hours per light. I'm still running on the original batteries I started with! It is relatively small and lightweight compared to most 3v batteries out there, however, it isn't a popular size so they might be hard to find locally.
When purchasing batteries, skip the local radioshack!!!!!! For example, one (1) CR1632 at RadioShack = $5.99. Twenty-five (25) (!) CR1632 batteries at Amazon = $11.00 (with free shipping!!) !!!!!!!!

Regarding LEDs, I've found the 5mm and 8mm sizes offer the best combination of size, light intensity, and battery conservation.
Look for LEDs with a minimum of 120 degree viewing angle! Anything narrower, i.e the 30 degree LEDs I started out with, makes it difficult to see at any angle other than straight out in front of you. Although 360 degree LEDs sound like they might work the best, the light isn't very intense, and doesn't light up much around it. I tried 360 degree LEDs up to 8mm, and still didn't like the results (didn't hate them either but I'm on the search for the ultimate!!).
I found the best combination of viewing angle to intensity in the 5mm, 120 degree viewing angle LED. Once again, though, you can't go wrong with any LED with 120 degree viewing angle and up.
I tried blinking LEDs and 3-color LEDs; none were bright enough IMHO.
I used sandpaper (in varying grits) on my original 30 degree 5mm LEDs. It does help increase the viewing angle! Flattening the rounded tip worked best, when almost flat, use a finer grit of sandpaper to smooth it out. I tried sanding facets into the lense, unfortunately, it helped increase the veiwing angle only in certain aspects, and not uniformly...

After setting this up a few times, I have revised my setup instructions a little (if anyone wants pics, let me know):
Step 1: Bend the NEGATIVE (-) wire instead of the positive (+). Bend it at a 90 degree angle right at the lense (case) of the LED, instead of away from the LED like in the picture. This way, the LED wires can't touch each other while connected to the battery.
Step 2: Use electrical tape to attach the NEGATIVE (-) wire to the negative side of the battery.
Step 3: Not necessary. Easier to do while setting up the kite.
Step 4: Bend POSITIVE (+) wire over positive side of the battery. The LED lense should still be perpendicular to the battery.
Step 5: Attach the POSITIVE (+) wire of the LED to the positive side of the battery with the Scotch double-sided foam tape. Peel off the backing, and you are ready to attach to the kite!

I experimented with integrating an LED flasher into the sytem. Used LEDs connected with RadioShack 30 gauge insulated wire, soldered to an LED flasher circuit board (taken from a bicycle safety flasher) that had room for 5 LEDs on it (flashing in a 2+2+1 pattern). Taped in the battery (solder not necessary here). Worked well, however, securing the wire around the frame is a pain. I don't think the edge of a zip-tie rubbing against the sail (where the verticals are) is a good idea! I used the Scotch tape, with only ok results. Since the LEDs were originally soldered right to the flasher circuit board, the board itself is larger than it actually needs to be. And I couldn't find a good balance point on the LE to attach the battery/flasher circuit board to.
I'll keep playing around with it. If I hit on something that works well and isn't destructive to the Rev, I'll post complete instructions. But for now, IMHO, setting up lights with any kind of wiring isn't a viable way to light up the Rev, if only because securing the wiring properly isn't easy.

Happy Night Flying!!

[mbro]

Here's my setup,

8/10mm LEDs
1/2" heavy-dutyvelcro dots
CR2032 Coin batterys
3/4"x1 1/4" card stock
1/2" glue dots

I took the velcro dots and position on LE spaced out evenly (6) the loop part of velcro. then took other part of velcro dot and attached negative wire of LED to Battery under the velcro dot(permenant). Then took card stock and put 2 glue dots on it. I use the card stock two ways, With the glue dots turned up , it breaks the connection to the battery when not in use. when I'm ready to fly I turn it over and it keeps the positive wire glued to the battery. I put the other 2 velcro dots on each tail. With the velcro I can position the top LEDs to point down on the sail and the bottom ones to point up and still see them from my flying angle as well as having the sail lit. works good for me!!!

[bartman]

Here's my setup,

8/10mm LEDs
1/2" heavy-dutyvelcro dots
CR2032 Coin batterys
3/4"x1 1/4" card stock
1/2" glue dots

I took the velcro dots and position on LE spaced out evenly (6) the loop part of velcro. then took other part of velcro dot and attached negative wire of LED to Battery under the velcro dot(permenant). Then took card stock and put 2 glue dots on it. I use the card stock two ways, With the glue dots turned up , it breaks the connection to the battery when not in use. when I'm ready to fly I turn it over and it keeps the positive wire glued to the battery. I put the other 2 velcro dots on each tail. With the velcro I can position the top LEDs to point down on the sail and the bottom ones to point up and still see them from my flying angle as well as having the sail lit. works good for me!!!

Can you take photos of this set up and go into more detail? Thanks.

Bart

[mbro]

I'll give it a shot Bart, Might be awhile, not to savy on posting photos!
Michael

[mbro]

Can't get photos to work going to try DETAIL verbally,
I take the scotch brand velcro dots apart put one half across the LE just above the mesh,spaced out however you want.
Take your LED and slide the battery between the two wires,long wire to pos. side(+)
with your other half of velcro dot, put neg. side(-) under it attached to the battery (permanant)
now cut some card stock,(business card paper or a little thicker) into small pieces 3/4"w x 1 1/4"L is what I use.
not put 2 or 3 glue dots on the piece of paper,( you can find glue dots at craft stores, wal-mart) I use 1/2" dots.
Now I use the paper to break the contact to the battery(pos. side) by sticking it to the battery under the wire.
when I'm ready, I slide paper out and turn it over sticking the wire to the battery to make contact on top of the wire. then attach the whole thing to my velcro dot on my kite.
Hope this makes sense fairly simple, the scotch brand velcro dots are the only way to go, there heavy duty adhesive works well,I've tried other brands and they won't stay on the kite.
Michael

[stickerman]

nothing better for night flights?
finger lights still the best? (for small budget)

[stroke survivor]

Here's my winter project - to take an old ('90s) dualie lighting system, and convert it for my Revs!! It has 10 total LEDs, 5 per side, but using a battery pack that held 2 AA batteries! Pack used to Velcro to the spine near the lower spreader to keep it from ruining the kite's balance completely!! LEDs are held in place by small pieces of vinyl tube, holes to set the LEDs in and slit for putting on the LE! I've tried to power it with a 2032 coin battery and had success, now to actually mount it on a kite, trim down any excess wire, resolder and shrink wrap, see if I can make the tubing pieces smaller, and come up with a cleaner way to hold and mount the battery! I'm thinking of using a battery holder for the coin battery and putting it in a pillbox that can then have a very small and light carabiner put through the hole in the center of the sail! That should keep out sand and have someplace to center up the weight! After some eyeball weighing, I estimate losing something around 2 full ounces, if my scale is close, or about 1/2 the original weight!

The system I'm converting was made by "Fly By Night" out of Auburn, Washington, doubt they're still in business, as I bought this setup back in the mid or late '90s!

For the tips, I'm gonna get a 2pk of LED lights sold as zipper pulls for runners or joggers, so they can be seen!! They come with extra batteries, very light and small!

Winter project underway!!