mcpX night setup - wip

[radiobirdman]

Have uploaded larger images of the night shots for those that might want a better look at the photos.

mCPX001.jpg
mCPX002.jpg

[radiobirdman]

Had another session tonight and was going well till I hit the pool fence.
Pretty happy with the V2 blades, Have a problem with the copper tape cracking as the blades flex, Usually after a bad crash. So may need to look at something else or just stop crashing.

I think if I get some smaller batteries to reduce the overall weight I'll be happy with the set up.

Some pics

[jabu32]

thats sick. very cool

[radiobirdman]

Night Blades Version 3

Have tried using some tiny wire, Held down with sticky tape.
Has a little more drag but will hopefully be more crash resistant.
Still using a small copper pad to connect / disconnect the power.
Will try source some micro switches once I get the smaller batteries.

Thanks for the positive comments guys, It is really neat being able to walk out in the back yard and have a night fly.

blades are looking worse for wear.

[BaconRaygun]

Sweet! Keep up the good work... I have been throwing the idea around so I may be following behind you shortly.

[radiobirdman]

Yes i'm hoping some others will have a go as well, more minds more good ideas.
I'm looking forward to having a tandem mcpx night flight.

Assuming these blades work OK durability wise I'll mod a new set rather than using my damaged sets of blades and try and get it a bit tidier.
Will probably move the led in an 1 inch or so from tip to help reduce any drag, doubt it will effect the disk visibility as it stand out like dogs balls.

The nav lights are fine orientation wise and i can't see any need for adding more, will probably make a new lighter harness and change the blue side led to a different color as it clashes with the blue led on the board.

[ShaneJourdan]

Originally Posted by radiobirdman

Had another session tonight and was going well till I hit the pool fence.
Pretty happy with the V2 blades, Have a problem with the copper tape cracking as the blades flex, Usually after a bad crash. So may need to look at something else or just stop crashing.

I think if I get some smaller batteries to reduce the overall weight I'll be happy with the set up.

Some pics

Now that's unbelievably cool, wow!!!!!!!!!! ART!

[baui2000]

Great work on your blades

Here's how I did mine. 0805 sized SMD green LEDs are soldered to ends of 1.5mm thick Cu tape and glued in with epoxy for security and light diffusion. Only one LED per blade is necessary this way. The whole system is not yet ready, because I'd like use the main flight battery for power and need some sort of power transmission mechanism.
The tape already survived a couple "hard landings" without a scratch. I didn't notice big change in drag this way.

[radiobirdman]

I flight and crash tested the new blades today and haven't managed to break them so it looks like using the coated wire is the go.

I also finally picked up some CR1220 batteries locally which are about half the weight of what i was using but are only rated to 30ma, should still give a few hours of run time. Also got hold of some dip switches but will need mod them before use, hopefully it works out and I'll have a simple light weight on / off switch on the blade.

Will try and do what is hopefully the final set of blades tonight, not much chance of a night fly here as thunder storms are rolling through.

Thanks again to Klinger for helping with ideas and sourcing some local parts.

baui2000
Nice, I wish I had some smaller led's.
you will find the the copper tape will crack due to the blades flexing.
It is beneficial flight orientation wise to have different colors top and bottom of the disk if possible.
I only have one lead on each blade aswell, one color faces up and the other faces down

[baui2000]

That's true. I'll solder 2 smd leds together, one color facing 45° up and the other down at the end of the blade on another set when this one's finished.

The main shaft is conductive, so it can be used to transfer power. One more wire will need to go a different way to power blades from the flight battery though... So I'm stuck at the moment

[radiobirdman]

OK the version 4 Blades are done, I've only just had one flight on them but I'm happy.
They fly great and don't feel much different to standard blades.
The mcpx feels agile and flips as quick as ever.
Headspeed and flight time are good too.

Now to fly the crap out of them


Have the CR1220 battery and dip switch epoxied to the blade.
It is difficult getting the solder to stick to the battery.
The dip switch was originally in a block of 8, I cut it off with the dremil by sacrificing the neighboring switch.
Have use tiny coated wire to run the power, It is actually the winding from an old motor.


Heatshrink on, be careful when heating the shrink as the blades melt and distort easily.
It is easy to access the switch with a small screwdriver, gotta love that.
Still have the wires taped down and have some slack at the end to allow for the blade flexing.


I moved the led in 30mm from the tip to try and reduce any drag at the tips of the blades as this is where most of the lift comes from.
It does make the lit disk noticeably smaller but is still ok.
I also drilled the hole 4.5mm which is a little larger than the led, filled it with epoxy and set the led in it.
Three strips of tape hold it all in place.


I'll weigh the blades in comparison to standard blades when i have access to some accurate scales.

Will let you know if i have any problems with these but I think they are sweet.

[radiobirdman]

Well it is raining here so no flying...
Made a new light weight harness for the lights.

Used coated wire again sourced from 180 sized motor.
Should shave a bit more weight off it.

Tried to use a yellow led for one of the side lights but it must have the wrong forward voltage and stops the other lights from working.

Think I'm done with the setup, It's flying great now.

[radiobirdman]

Took a short video with the camera in a fixed position so is not real good.
just practicing some flips while giving my new hyperion packs their first cycle.

I was a bit late with the half piro - crashed
(change quality to HD and watch full screen)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmIPchI4opU&hd=1[/ame]
Had to replace one battery in the blades as is went flat, otherwise they are still going great. have a few flights on it most nights and plenty of crashes too.

[lovespicyfood]

That is cool! This heli begs to be a night rig 'cause it's durable and can be flown in the yard! Well done!

Pete

[450man]

Back to baynesville electronics.....


How can I ask for that conductive tape by name or did I say it.

edit,,,,,, circuit tape...

[badfrog]

Originally Posted by radiobirdman

Have uploaded larger images of the night shots for those that might want a better look at the photos.

mCPX001.jpg
mCPX002.jpg

That is AWESOME! I am a little nervous about soldering on the board... I am thinking of making an male/female adapter to go between the battery and plug to run lights off of... any issues doing it that way?
Just made 001 my desktop wallpaper...

[450man]

what is the spec of the lites?....


and...what are the color codes for the 10 ohm resistor?
thnx
David

[radiobirdman]

Not sure on the specs of the leds, I just pulled them off the hobbyking led stips.

10ohm resistor




badfrog

Yes you can connect the power elsewhere, I have had the wires break off the board a couple of times due to crash fatigue and now have them spliced into the power lead between the battery connector and the board.

I have also made a new set of night blades using KBDD blades as my eflight blades had some damage and I have found the KBDD blades to be more durable in general.

[450man]

Appreciate it. Have everything now.


Thanks again
david

[memheli]

I'm gathering parts for night setup now. Anyone else setting up a mcpx for night?
This will definitely help me make it thru these short winter days!