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Post by cubflyercameron on Oct 14, 2011 6:28:21 GMT 1
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Post by joeyballgame on Apr 10, 2013 12:16:53 GMT 1
Could you plug this straight into the Xport...?
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Vulpes
Flying officer
In thrust we trust.
Posts: 20
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Post by Vulpes on Apr 10, 2013 13:00:58 GMT 1
I have the same set! They work really well, though depending on your placement, you may have to shorten some wires and add the leftover to others. This does not plug into the xport.
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Post by joeyballgame on Apr 10, 2013 13:46:35 GMT 1
Thanks Vulpes, can you explain the installation...?
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Post by Crazy Horse on Apr 10, 2013 14:39:12 GMT 1
joey, I have the same set, but I got mine (two actually) from good old Hong Kong, the same price including postage. As Vulpes says, this does not go in the Xport. They need a separate power supply of about 4 to 6 volts, but the voltage really doesn't seem to be that critical. I would go nearer the 6v at least as I found that if I went lower, the strobe would not light as well as it should. I have tested the lights on a 9v battery supply, nothing burnt out or fried, so the tolerance is there. As for shortening some cable and lengthening others, be careful of the wire. It is not the best in the world. Tin it before soldering otherwise you will not get anywhere. I run mine from a couple of 3v button cells connected together via their holders. Also, after each alteration, I tested the system. This will eliminate a lot of fault finding later on if things do not work as they should. I think they are a great little set, for the price, what can you lose? I chucked mine into an old wing just for a first run at it so to speak. The second set will be installed with care in another spare wing. If Vulpes helps with the installation then fine, but if you need a bit of help picture wise, let me know and I will do my best to post for you, together with some info. You can also protect the leds by covering them with some thin plastic bent to fit and glued (carefully). I used bits cut from an empty tonic container, thin, flexible and light, AND FREE! ;D BTW I once heard that 99% of people that put lights on their aircraft don't fly at night. Dusk is good, as you can still see the Cub. (You need all the help you can get when you get to my age).  However, there are some great video's on Youtube, I am envious of the flying ability of some of you younger chaps, but I still enjoy this more than I can say. Happy days. P.S. It seems like you are really getting into all this and happy birthday for last month! |
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Post by iandhunt on Apr 10, 2013 16:14:08 GMT 1
I had a set I purchased off of eBay for 20 or 25 bucks. They were extreme bright LEDs that you could see even middle of the day. Also, the wires were extra long so they are going to go in my 55" J3 eventually. The seller even had great customer service when my wing dipped too low on a landing and damaged an LED.
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Post by Crazy Horse on Apr 10, 2013 17:08:27 GMT 1
The lights that we are talking about are really good and bright, easily visible even in the day. Ian, you are just trying to make us envious of your 55" J3 methinks! ;D
As for dipping a wing, I feel sure that it was intentional on your part, just to get some spares sent, correct me if I am wrong, it has been known.
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Vulpes
Flying officer
In thrust we trust.
Posts: 20
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Post by Vulpes on Apr 10, 2013 21:45:32 GMT 1
Joey, Here is a quick video (really bad quality) showing the position of the lights on my Cub: Here is another one that is similar, but different in a few ways. One, he did not recess the lights into the wing as I did, and two, his red and green lights are at the wing tips, his flashing white strobes are closer to the wing tips (mine are right where the wing starts to curve), and his landing lights are in the wrong place. If you manage to find a picture of a real Super Cub with landing lights, they are on the left wing, a bit closer in than where the strut attaches to the wing. To actually install the lights, I used hot wire to melt a channel in the bottom of the wings along the path that I wanted the wires to take. Where each LED was to be, I actually cut out part of the wing, glued the LED in place, and then put tape over it to make the wing the correct shape again. I also taped over the wires once they were embedded in the wing. Bear in mind, this wing is not entirely finished (though it flies and lights up very well), so it is a little sloppy looking. The red nav light:  A white strobe:  The landing lights (note position relative to the strut. This is wholly up to you, however):  Slow red strobe on the vertical stab:  Ventral slow red strobe (not seen in my video, but easy to see in the other. I mounted it where the ACT used to be):  The red strobes did not need nearly the amount of wire that was originally attached to them, so I cannibalized some of it to make the leads to the white strobes and red and green nav lights longer. The necessity of this depends on where you choose to mount the little yellow system. Regarding the power supply, I actually plug it right in to an empty servo slot. It powers the lights well and they don't dim or get brighter as I move the controls. It works, but if this is a bad idea, someone please tell me! The system comes with a servo port style plug. Have fun! |
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Post by iandhunt on Apr 11, 2013 0:47:17 GMT 1
I have seen so many knock offs from China that are subpar I have just stuck to US products. Sorry China!!!! Not!
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Post by Crazy Horse on Apr 11, 2013 8:56:45 GMT 1
Vulpes,
Thanks for the post, it saved me taking loads of photo's! You have your lights installed much on a par with myself, but I put the landing lights just slightly to the outer side of where the struts attach. I looked at loads of images of the real thing on the web and there are many different and varied locations shown. I don't think one is better than the other, just personal preference. The rear red strobe I mounted just in front of the vertical stabiliser, on the fuselage itself, two reasons, one, I saw that shown on the real thing somewhere and two, it just made things easier and more tidy regarding the cables. The front strobe I mounted a little more forward, just in front of the battery hatch, protected by a small red cover.
I like your idea of plugging into an empty servo slot, I haven't tried this myself but if it works for you then why not? The only reservation I would have, perhaps illogical, is if the lights took too much power away. I am sure a more experienced and knowledgeable chap will enlighten us both on this.
iandhunt,
Yes, I agree about knock offs from China, some are below par, for instance I would not buy an esc, battery or anything that I really need to rely upon from that source, but these little lights are great. Worth it just for the fun of installing them.
As a good old American bred lad, might you be a tad biased? LOL ;D
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Post by joeyballgame on Apr 11, 2013 20:19:02 GMT 1
Crazy Horse & Vulpes,
Thank you very much for the advice, I'll make sure I take some pictures of my lighting mod when its complete...
And thanks for the Happy Birthday Wishes...
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Post by iandhunt on Apr 13, 2013 7:37:07 GMT 1
As a good old American bred lad, might you be a tad biased? LOL ;D Yes, those ******* tried hacking my computer twice! Last week! Too bad I was watching!  How are they a superpower? |
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Post by Crazy Horse on Apr 13, 2013 7:50:23 GMT 1
Hack into your computer, twice, that is darn bad form old chap, really bad form indeed. Would you like me to go and have a quiet word with them for you?
As for them being a superpower, how was Britain once Great and what happened?.......
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Post by iandhunt on Apr 15, 2013 20:09:56 GMT 1
I think there still is greatness in Great Britain. I have always appreciated the RAF and the British while deployed. Besides a common language our two countries both have a great work ethic and an mutual disdain for all those asinine third world genocidal morons around the world. Plus, we enjoy Super Cubs!
As for the Australians.......
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However, there are some great video's on Youtube, I am envious of the flying ability of some of you younger chaps, but I still enjoy this more than I can say. Happy days.
