View Full Version : Night flying setup, how to do?
flyinfool
10-31-2005, 02:51 PM
mhn
Those are the walmart lights that I refered to.
They do not last long mechanicaly but are a very good light source and even replacing these often is still cheaper than chem sticks. I am currently testing some other brads that are supposed to be more durable. If you use those lights wrap the end with tape to help hold it all together.
scrogerio
If the inverters ore there wiring are mounted very near the RX there can be interference. try to keep at least 50mm or 2 inck seperation of lighting and glow system.
I also see that you have your landing gear glow wire running through the bottom of the radio area right next to the coil of the antenna. This can be a bad thing.
scrogerio
10-31-2005, 05:49 PM
Thank you. I will move the driver and battery 9v behind the heli, bellow the tank. I crash 2 times because interference. I replace the rx, but donīt resolve. I will test this. I donīt like to fly in night. Is the better fly to me.
PDC, check these out.
http://www.garritylites.com/site/retail_details.php?recid=87
Got a few laying around. Haven't tried them out yet on a heli.
Michel-Henri
Thanks Michel-Henry....can see that these are the Walmart ones, but at least I have something usable now in case we don't find something even better.
Thanks!
Paul
scrogerio
11-01-2005, 06:39 AM
I change the install of my glow wire. I post the picture in my gallery. I will test tomorrow.
Flyinfool,
Any luck testing the other brand of lightsticks that is supposed to be more durable?
Scrogerio,
How did the new config work out for you?
Any more interferences?
Michel-Henri
scrogerio
11-21-2005, 11:09 AM
No more. I have about 20 fly after modification and no problem and interferences. I'm very happy now.
:mrgreen: :mrgreen:
flyinfool
11-28-2005, 09:23 PM
mhn
I've been out of town for a while.
I hope to get the new lights ordered and try them out in a couple of weeks.
flyinfool
12-20-2005, 10:06 PM
I just recieved some of the new LED light sticks.
They are a little weird looking but seem to be well made.
I will be installing them on my heli to see how they hold up.
With winter here I am not sure when I'll get a chance to try them out for real.
It's no fun (and not safe) flying alone, and it gets real cold real fast when the sun goes down.
Jeff, thanks for the update.
It would be great if you could post a picture of these new light sticks.
Thx,
Michel-Henri
I finally had time to install the night rig.
Haven't flown it by night yet.
Actually I'm quite happy with the result (until now) and thought I might share with you guys to get some suggestions for improvement.
Thx,
MH
WillJames
12-29-2005, 06:30 AM
Looks great mhn. Looks plenty visable.
You guys are making me miss my night rig.
flyinfool
12-29-2005, 09:28 AM
What don't you like about it?
It looks like it will be plenty visable and doesn't look bad either.
Probably the next thing I would add would be a LED for the fuel tank, I like being able to see my fuel level.
Will
I am planning to make the first flight of the year at 01-01-06 12:00:01AM.
Wait till you see what I am planning for the night fly at Ircha. :mrgreen:
playfair
12-29-2005, 09:41 AM
Looks good. To nit-pick, I like having the tail fin a different color then the boom so it stands out in the "peripheral vision". The glow wire can be spliced, a little tricky but not impossible.
Thank you guys for your ecouragement.
Flyinfool, I have built a small device for that: two LEDS and a small 2032 battery holder. Was planning on inserting it under the Millie tank with one led poiting upwards towards the fuel tank and the other one pointing downward to light the ground during landing. However the LEDs I have are all red and I was afraid that a red lit tank might create confusion with the red lit blades (this during fast 3D manoeuvres).
Playfair, I like the idea of splicing the glow wire. Hadn't thought of it. Thx.
Now for the bad news: I just got back from the field after a 2nd daytime flight with the Millie. Right when I was coming in for a fast landing (high alpha) at the end of the flight, the tail transmission broke and it started pirouetting at 1 meter from the ground. I had to drop it on the ASPHALT because it was too close to people. Visible damages: The brand new MS composit night blades (maiden flight) :arggg: , carbon landing gear, flybar, head mixers, Canopy, 3 servos and god nows which axles. I just got back home (disgusted) and haven't dismantled it yet.
Oh well!!!! :bomb:
MHN
Sorry for the long post. Had to vent.
WillJames
12-29-2005, 11:30 AM
Cool, can't wait to see Jeff!!
Awww man, that sucks mhn! :arggg: :arggg: :arggg: :arggg:
flyinfool
12-29-2005, 12:27 PM
I hate it when that happens.
I did almost the same thing last summer doing a ripper at night with some collective pumping and direction reversal thrown in when the heli exploded in mid air and did the floppy chicken all the way to the ground and then crashed with a 1 week new set of MS night blades. The only saving grace was that it was at a funfly and I did win the most spectacular crash award. :oops:
Will has the video of it somewhere :roll:
flyinfool
12-29-2005, 10:37 PM
Here are some pics of the new light sticks and my night $hit.
These light sticks are far lighter in weight than either the chemical or WallMart sticks, they also look to be a lot more rugged.
The white light stick has a 3 color led in it that goes thru various flashing and color change sequences. I am not sure if this will be distracting in flight.
I will be flying these on Saturday night / Sunday morning to ring in the New Year.
Jeff, these things look pretty interesting.
Are they switched on/off the same way as the Walmart/Garrilite ones (rotary switch)?
Looking forward to your eval this w/e. Have fun.
Wishing all of you a very happy and successful New Year.
Michel-Henri
flyinfool
12-30-2005, 09:13 AM
It is hard to see in the pics but there is a small slide switch near the end with the light.
flyinfool
01-02-2006, 01:00 PM
Based on just 2 nights of flying and 8 flightswith temps right around the freezing mark these new led sticks are still holding up.
Neither the fuel nor the vibration have bothered them yet.
The sight that I got them from is http://www.technomoves.com/ilumix_page.html
Mine are the 6 inch Ilumix.
flyinfool
06-06-2006, 01:08 AM
An update on the new led light sticks.
they are still holding up great.
even the one on the exhaust side does not seem to be bothered at all by anything the heli can throw at it.
I haven't even killed a battery yet.
I have gone thru at least a half dozen 9V for the glow wire since I put these LED Light Sticks on.