Lights
 

Hello,

I am Installing a complete Ram lighting system on my 120 sized Cessna 182. Including

Landing lights
Nav Lights
mars Beacon
Real Strobes

I was wondering how you guys fix these things to the wingtips ect. Are you useing tape or sillicone? I noticed that the little lenses look like they can slip on to and Grip the airplane.

What is the best technique.

Thanks

RE: Lights
 

I've done this on one airplane which has yet to be painted. I made an interference fit for each LED position. The rudder got a little thin so I glassed around the hole. I purchased LEDs from Superbrightleds.com and resistors and etc from Jameco.com. If I ever need a strobe I'll get an Arduino set up. Looks very easy to do. Just 'google' Arduino. Pretty neat stuff!

RE: Lights
 

I know you are still building, but have you done any visual testing with those LED lights yet? Are the LEDs from Superbright bright enough to be seen at any appreciable distance on a sunny day? I've done some experimenting with LEDs from Radio Shack and other places so I know that viewing angle has as much to do with it as the brightness of the LED itself. What I'm looking for are landing, nav and strobe that can be seen on a sunny day, at least while the airplane is on approach. (I guess I need to steal the brake lights from my wife's carbut she wouldn't appreciate that.) Nah, my eyes aren't that bad, just looking for the next "cool factor." I have an "own design" on the boards right now so it would be a perfect time to plan for such an installation. Hate to waste any more money and time on something that just won't do.

Thanks for any reply or advice on how to do it from anyone else,
(just for the record, it's only a "60" size plane so it just ain't big enough to carry the car!)

=Rick=

RE: Lights
 

Rick

The EDR 177 lighting system from Electrodynamics, http://www.electrodynam.com/rc/EDR-117/index.shtml, is visable in daylight. In my opinion, it's worth the money.

RE: Lights
 

Some of the LEDs have wider viewing angles than others. The ones I have can be seen from pretty far away. I didn't measure the distance. I bought the 5mm ones.They are so bright I plan on putting them on kites (for night flying) I make that fly with 1000' of string! UFO's anyone? lol Sticky backed aluminum reflectors probably wouldn't be a bad idea. Hope this helps. These are very inexpensive so experimentation more fun!

RE: Lights
 

Thanks Tom,
Bit pricey for a complete set but they definitely sound appealing. Might give the landing lights a try.

Regards,
=Rick=

RE: Lights
 

Here's what mine look like in case you are inclined to make some lights. They're pretty bright but I have no way to evaluate them to what is advertised above. The photos are washed out because of their brightness. Have fun!

RE: Lights
 

What Kind of glue are you guys using to put them in?

RE: Lights
 

Mine are friction fit. The heat shrink tubing works really nice for that. I can replace LEDs if needed by pulling them out de-soldering leads, etc.

RE: Lights
 

Here's what my landing lights look like on my jet. They are led replacements for the popular mag light flash lights.

RE: Lights
 

I made some nav lights a few years ago. Here's a link to the thread.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_53...tm.htm#5362281

Scott