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TheBum · 11-11-2007, 09:56 PM

I bought a set of K&B night blades for my Diablo (450 class heli). I know I have to charge them with the included UV LED, but I'm wondering: What's the best way (location on the blade and amount of time) to charge them and how long can I expect them to glow bright enough to be seen?

aballen · 11-11-2007, 10:07 PM

I think you are supposed to mount the uv led on the tail pointing at the blades.

If the led goes out the blades will glow a bit, but I dont think you should run them that way....

TheBum · 11-11-2007, 10:53 PM

Ah, I see now. I feel like an idiot: I was thinking that the LED would have to go on the tail rotor if it was mounted on the heli and I knew there's no 12V power source small enough and with enough capacity, not to mention one that wouldn't mess up the aerodynamics. The sparse instructions say to shine the LED on the tip of the blades, so I assume I'd mount it on the vertical fin and shine it toward the blades?

The instructions also say not to look directly into the LED, but I assume that means on the ground? I don't see how you could avoid looking at it, at least for a few seconds, when the heli is in flight.

aballen · 11-16-2007, 11:31 PM

any luck?

Pics of how you mounted the tail would be cool... action photos too!

TheBum · 11-17-2007, 06:44 AM

Not yet. A death in the family preempted all of my heli activities. I hope to get back to it in a day or two.

KandB · 11-17-2007, 06:53 AM

We will put some mounting pictures up on our web site soon. The best place to mount the led is on top center of the boom pointed at blade. The bright spot of the led should shine about 1/4 nich down from the tip of the blade. A quick way to mount them is to use a drop of hot glue on the top of the boom, push the led on top on the hot glue. Put a small zip tie on it to make sure it don't move. Wire it up and have fun.
The is a video of Burt Flying his 600 at IRCHA with them.

Thanks Kevin & K&B Dream Designs Team

WillJames · 11-17-2007, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBum

Not yet. A death in the family preempted all of my heli activities. I hope to get back to it in a day or two.

Sorry to hear, our condolences from HF.

TheBum · 11-17-2007, 06:50 PM

That would be great, Kevin. Thanks.

And thanks for the kind words, Will. It's been a rough few days, but my mother is now at rest and it's all behind me now.

dieselracer · 11-18-2007, 10:09 AM

I used a plastic tail servo mount with 3 zip ties for mine.

Sam2b · 01-27-2008, 02:07 AM

My problem is: how do you power the LED light?! No where can I find how to power it. Please assist. Thanks.

doeni · 01-27-2008, 04:08 PM

You plug it into a free reciever channel...

greetings

Maxime30 · 02-06-2008, 12:03 AM

That's what I did too, connect it to a free slot in the rx.

However I sent an email to K&B and here's what they replied:

Hello Maxime,

Sorry it took so long to get back to you but I wanted to talk to my R&D VP first.

You should have more clearance than what you have. The center of the bulb of the LED should mount over of the boom.

You also really need 12v for the LED. Connect the wires to the same source that you are connecting your glow wire to. True UV LED is very dangerous as you can not see the light. It is also VERY expensive. Ours is a safer quality which allows you to see the light. You should still not look directly into the light. The quad led we use on the larger blades is very bright yet safe at 10' distance.

This picture is of a 30/50 size with the Ultra bright UV LED. The mounting position can be the samewith on exception. We have found that it is best to shine the light closer to the end of the blade on a 450 and closer midway between the root and the end of the blade for the 30/50 size helicopters. In the picture the boom is rolled forward. The bulb is really above the center of the boom.

Thank you for your question!

Dick Cook
President
K&B Dream Designs, LLC
(614)863-1111
http://kbdreamdesigns.com
dickcook@kbdreamdesigns.com

Rogan · 03-12-2008, 11:04 AM

Any idea where you might get a true UV LED from? I'm having hash around to block the light. Getting an eyeful of LED when you are hovering or doing a pass is quite disorientating.

Currently I'm using a shade, attached to the boom, to block the light. I'm a bit worried about how it's going to hold up in maneuvers, though.

An optional reflector http://www.theledlight.com/reflectors.html and a true UV LED would be a nice upgrade if you could provide it.

rotorcraftman · 05-21-2008, 10:52 PM

I have to say that I had the same question. I don't think you should feel stupid. The directions don't really say for sure and I did go to the web site (I'm talking to you K&B) and there still is no description or pictures. I'm going to try it now. Hope it works as well as I have imagined.

Doug

wacojoe · 05-22-2008, 10:55 PM

Try electronicgoldmine.com
Thats where I am going to get stuff from. I Not looking for UV LEDs but they have some.

Scotty T · 05-25-2008, 07:09 AM

ok, if you guys are looking for a good power source just tap into your main battery.

I did a full flight last night with no problems. I bought jst connectors and connected them right together off the battery.

Complete success, the power draw is so low there was no drain on the battery and flight time was good.

Now that I have the connector there I can easily disconnect the light for day flight, also never have to worry about the extra weight or having a seperate charged battery around.

Somebody please hit the staples button! "That was easy" :-)

Raven_darkcloud · 05-25-2008, 07:07 PM

Aballen that avatar of yours made me try to squish the bug on my screen. LOL.

Spek · 06-10-2008, 09:35 AM

So I took my 450 out for a night flight with the K&B night blades, I set them up just like ya'll mentioned but I plugged into my open channel on my Rx, the light lite up but I was a little disapointed on the tail lighting up, it never really got up to a nice bright glow. Could this be becuase I need more power to the UV light? I even moved the light closer to the blades to see if that would help but it didn't make much difference.

flyinfool · 06-10-2008, 12:19 PM

The RX is only putting 5 volts to the LED.
I believe the LED wants 12 Volts, So running it direct off of the 3S main pack would be the best option.
The LED should only shorten your flight time by about 2 seconds.

Spek · 06-13-2008, 03:31 PM

Awesome, thanks for info. I went out and picked up a little 3s 150 by Venom, just gonna strap that under my gyro and watch those blades light up the sky!

11-11-2007, 09:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
TheBum HF Support My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2007	K&B night blades I bought a set of K&B night blades for my Diablo (450 class heli). I know I have to charge them with the included UV LED, but I'm wondering: What's the best way (location on the blade and amount of time) to charge them and how long can I expect them to glow bright enough to be seen? __________________ Alan (just call me "Bum"; no need to be so formal) HeliFreak Support Protos Max Evo 700 (Brain 2), Protos Max V2 770 (iKON 2), Synergy 516 (Brain 2), Oxy 2 (Falcon 12) Graupner MZ-32 Experience is something you gain only after you need it. I wouldn't mind social media so much if it didn't involve people.

11-11-2007, 10:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
aballen Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Dec 2006	I think you are supposed to mount the uv led on the tail pointing at the blades. If the led goes out the blades will glow a bit, but I dont think you should run them that way.... __________________ -Ari aka, Sir-Crah-a-Lot

11-11-2007, 10:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
TheBum HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2007	Ah, I see now. I feel like an idiot: I was thinking that the LED would have to go on the tail rotor if it was mounted on the heli and I knew there's no 12V power source small enough and with enough capacity, not to mention one that wouldn't mess up the aerodynamics. The sparse instructions say to shine the LED on the tip of the blades, so I assume I'd mount it on the vertical fin and shine it toward the blades? The instructions also say not to look directly into the LED, but I assume that means on the ground? I don't see how you could avoid looking at it, at least for a few seconds, when the heli is in flight. __________________ Alan (just call me "Bum"; no need to be so formal) HeliFreak Support Protos Max Evo 700 (Brain 2), Protos Max V2 770 (iKON 2), Synergy 516 (Brain 2), Oxy 2 (Falcon 12) Graupner MZ-32 Experience is something you gain only after you need it. I wouldn't mind social media so much if it didn't involve people.

11-16-2007, 11:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
aballen Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Dec 2006	any luck? Pics of how you mounted the tail would be cool... action photos too! __________________ -Ari aka, Sir-Crah-a-Lot

11-17-2007, 06:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheBum HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2007	Not yet. A death in the family preempted all of my heli activities. I hope to get back to it in a day or two. __________________ Alan (just call me "Bum"; no need to be so formal) HeliFreak Support Protos Max Evo 700 (Brain 2), Protos Max V2 770 (iKON 2), Synergy 516 (Brain 2), Oxy 2 (Falcon 12) Graupner MZ-32 Experience is something you gain only after you need it. I wouldn't mind social media so much if it didn't involve people.

11-17-2007, 06:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
KandB Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2004	We will put some mounting pictures up on our web site soon. The best place to mount the led is on top center of the boom pointed at blade. The bright spot of the led should shine about 1/4 nich down from the tip of the blade. A quick way to mount them is to use a drop of hot glue on the top of the boom, push the led on top on the hot glue. Put a small zip tie on it to make sure it don't move. Wire it up and have fun. The is a video of Burt Flying his 600 at IRCHA with them. Thanks Kevin & K&B Dream Designs Team

11-17-2007, 06:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
TheBum HF Support Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jul 2007	That would be great, Kevin. Thanks. And thanks for the kind words, Will. It's been a rough few days, but my mother is now at rest and it's all behind me now. __________________ Alan (just call me "Bum"; no need to be so formal) HeliFreak Support Protos Max Evo 700 (Brain 2), Protos Max V2 770 (iKON 2), Synergy 516 (Brain 2), Oxy 2 (Falcon 12) Graupner MZ-32 Experience is something you gain only after you need it. I wouldn't mind social media so much if it didn't involve people.

11-18-2007, 10:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
dieselracer Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Aug 2007	I used a plastic tail servo mount with 3 zip ties for mine. Last edited by dieselracer; 11-18-2007 at 07:47 PM..

01-27-2008, 02:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
Sam2b Registered Users Join Date: May 2007	LED power supply My problem is: how do you power the LED light?! No where can I find how to power it. Please assist. Thanks. __________________ _Sam B_

01-27-2008, 04:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
doeni Registered Users Join Date: May 2007	You plug it into a free reciever channel... greetings

02-06-2008, 12:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
Maxime30 Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Nov 2007	That's what I did too, connect it to a free slot in the rx. However I sent an email to K&B and here's what they replied: Hello Maxime, Sorry it took so long to get back to you but I wanted to talk to my R&D VP first. You should have more clearance than what you have. The center of the bulb of the LED should mount over of the boom. You also really need 12v for the LED. Connect the wires to the same source that you are connecting your glow wire to. True UV LED is very dangerous as you can not see the light. It is also VERY expensive. Ours is a safer quality which allows you to see the light. You should still not look directly into the light. The quad led we use on the larger blades is very bright yet safe at 10' distance. This picture is of a 30/50 size with the Ultra bright UV LED. The mounting position can be the samewith on exception. We have found that it is best to shine the light closer to the end of the blade on a 450 and closer midway between the root and the end of the blade for the 30/50 size helicopters. In the picture the boom is rolled forward. The bulb is really above the center of the boom. Thank you for your question! Dick Cook President K&B Dream Designs, LLC (614)863-1111 http://kbdreamdesigns.com dickcook@kbdreamdesigns.com Attached Thumbnails

03-12-2008, 11:04 AM	#13 (permalink)
Rogan Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: May 2006	Any idea where you might get a true UV LED from? I'm having hash around to block the light. Getting an eyeful of LED when you are hovering or doing a pass is quite disorientating. Currently I'm using a shade, attached to the boom, to block the light. I'm a bit worried about how it's going to hold up in maneuvers, though. An optional reflector http://www.theledlight.com/reflectors.html and a true UV LED would be a nice upgrade if you could provide it. __________________ The above text is not intended to cause offense, unless implicitly stated.

05-21-2008, 10:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
rotorcraftman Join Date: Jan 2008	I have to say that I had the same question. I don't think you should feel stupid. The directions don't really say for sure and I did go to the web site (I'm talking to you K&B) and there still is no description or pictures. I'm going to try it now. Hope it works as well as I have imagined. Doug

05-22-2008, 10:55 PM	#15 (permalink)
wacojoe Registered Users Join Date: Jun 2006	Try electronicgoldmine.com Thats where I am going to get stuff from. I Not looking for UV LEDs but they have some.

05-25-2008, 07:09 AM	#16 (permalink)
Scotty T Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2007	Power source ok, if you guys are looking for a good power source just tap into your main battery. I did a full flight last night with no problems. I bought jst connectors and connected them right together off the battery. Complete success, the power draw is so low there was no drain on the battery and flight time was good. Now that I have the connector there I can easily disconnect the light for day flight, also never have to worry about the extra weight or having a seperate charged battery around. Somebody please hit the staples button! "That was easy" :-) Last edited by Scotty T; 05-25-2008 at 07:11 AM.. Reason: typo

05-25-2008, 07:07 PM	#17 (permalink)
Raven_darkcloud Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Mar 2006	Aballen that avatar of yours made me try to squish the bug on my screen. LOL. __________________ Team Outrage OPM - Fly it like it aint yours! JR X9303 2.4 Baby. I have felt the difference and I like it! Don"t make me list 'm all !

06-10-2008, 09:35 AM	#18 (permalink)
Spek Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2007	So I took my 450 out for a night flight with the K&B night blades, I set them up just like ya'll mentioned but I plugged into my open channel on my Rx, the light lite up but I was a little disapointed on the tail lighting up, it never really got up to a nice bright glow. Could this be becuase I need more power to the UV light? I even moved the light closer to the blades to see if that would help but it didn't make much difference. __________________ T-Rex 450V2, 500 and 600 Shavers

06-10-2008, 12:19 PM	#19 (permalink)
flyinfool Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2005	The RX is only putting 5 volts to the LED. I believe the LED wants 12 Volts, So running it direct off of the 3S main pack would be the best option. The LED should only shorten your flight time by about 2 seconds. __________________ Jeff Borowski

06-13-2008, 03:31 PM	#20 (permalink)
Spek Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2007	Awesome, thanks for info. I went out and picked up a little 3s 150 by Venom, just gonna strap that under my gyro and watch those blades light up the sky! __________________ T-Rex 450V2, 500 and 600 Shavers

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