LED Strobes

Gordon Dunn · Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:21 pm by Gordon Dunn

You may have noticed the high intensity LED strobes at the NEC show- really impressive!
Just had a browse throught the net, there and found a similar component- but instead of having 2 heads, it has a single head and an omnidirectional diffuser. Controller is built in, just needs a small 12V battery to run the system- much less power than a Xenon strobe, and a lot more robust and tolerant to vibration
Link at- http://aerosportuk.com/acatalog/copy_of ... ights.html

More on this later.... i feel an 'electronics project' coming on!

Below is a picture of the Otomat heads- tiny, but unbelievably powerful! The intensity was so great that these were almost too uncomfortable to look at.

1973parahead · Tue Dec 02, 2008 9:27 pm by 1973parahead

expensive little buggers but they look very cool!!!

Oisin Creagh · Wed Dec 03, 2008 7:08 pm by Oisin Creagh

For those not flying with starter batteries, this could be a great solution! We await the results of your experiments before placing orders with you!!! :lol:

Good luck

Oisin

1973parahead · Fri Dec 12, 2008 8:35 pm by 1973parahead

A flying Christmas tree.

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=Omz8G8eBpNc

Gordon Dunn · Wed Dec 24, 2008 5:15 pm by Gordon Dunn

Tested a few components out today- results are quite impressive.
I have to get a smaller 12v rechargable battery- aiming to get something less than 400g- only needs to be powerful enough for around 4 to 5 flights, then it can be recharged.
The heads i've sourced are actually comprised of around 15 individual emitters- they are arranged in a 360 degree pattern - so you will have full visibility from all directions. They are also very light- and i'm actually thinking of fastening them to the cage netting. The driver circuit and the battery will be secured to the frame- behind the tank- or maybe placed in the harness pocket.
Checkout test video at- http://www.gordondunn.co.uk/forumdownlo ... s_0001.wmv

Don't be spending all your money at Christmas.. will be taking orders soon. :lol:

Oisin Creagh · Wed Dec 24, 2008 11:51 pm by Oisin Creagh

Gordon,

If you had come up with this soon enough, I could have justified it on the basis that it was for the top of the tree!!!

Looks amazing. What about a pack of 8 AA re-chargable Lithium batteries in a proprietary case, allowing them to be charged as a pack, or as 8 individual batteries.. might work out quite economical?

Having landed shortly before dark ( only just!) this evening I could have done with a set myself! Nice smooth windless flight tonight by the way... should have worn the red suit and white beard though!

Happy Christmas to all.

Oisin

Dean · Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:02 am by Dean

Gordon
Certainly looks the business...
I can try out your prototype one for you if you like- I wont charge you seeing as its christmas and all :lol:

Dean
Merry christmas to everyone

Gordon Dunn · Thu Dec 25, 2008 10:53 am by Gordon Dunn

Oisin- yes the option of using the AA cells (LiPoly) would leave it lighter, which will be a bonus- i'll look into this. I'm going to put the head leads on connectors so that you can remove the cage easily if necessary. The heads themselves will be connected to the netting for increased all-round visability , then the leads can run back along the cage frame to the connector. May even use the frame as a ground conductor- so only one lead will be necessary to connect the heads.
The heads will be placed towards closer to the outer circumference of the cage for maximum effect.
I was worried about the actual intensity, but these are not far off the OTAMAT ones... Mine are rated at 110 Lumens, they are actually quite uncomfortable to look at after a short while.

Oisin Creagh · Sat Dec 27, 2008 12:46 am by Oisin Creagh

Something like these might work for battery:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=31427

Gordon Dunn · Mon Dec 29, 2008 2:08 pm by Gordon Dunn

Oisin Creagh wrote:Looks amazing. What about a pack of 8 AA re-chargable Lithium batteries in a proprietary case, allowing them to be charged as a pack, or as 8 individual batteries.. might work out quite economical?
Oisin

Had a look at this Oisin, but ruled it out as the voltage in 8 cells is not enough to drive the circuit- the nominal voltage of these rechargable AA cells is only 1.2V, therefor you'd need to carry 10 to get the unit working to it's best potential. While it will light at 9.6v, there is a marked difference at 12v, or slightly higher. Also charging 10 cells in a domestic charger is a pain- most can accomodate 4s and 8s easily.... but i havent seen a 10 station charger.
I've opted for a sealed lead/acid battery- these can be used in any orientation and the unit will have a 'plug in' mains charging facility. This is similar to the unit supplied by Micro-avionics for their Xenon strobes, but much lighter as the energy requirement is far less.

Prototype should be ready for flying by next weekend hopefully.
I envisage the whole system including battery and charger can be made for less than the Xenon strobe system- and it should be equal, if not more effective with the rapid flash system and the dual head.

A lot of pilots have commented that the rapid flash system is more noticable than brigher single flash systems.

Gordon Dunn · Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:23 pm by Gordon Dunn

Ran a test there today with the system assembled.... and ran it for over an hour without any difficulties. Plenty of charge in the battery- wasn't even full to start with. Very bright, and no overheating...
http://www.gordondunn.co.uk/forumdownload/strobes_0002.wmv
Just have to get the system packaged and mounted now.
The battery pack i'm using is approx the size of a cigarette pack.

Gordon Dunn · Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:19 pm by Gordon Dunn

Prototype system ready for testing...
http://www.gordondunn.co.uk/forumdownlo ... s_0003.wmv

Just need to mount the remote switch somewhere on the frame... an it's good to go!

Found a much simpler way of packaging/mounting the unit.. was going to use an aluminium box, but securing it was not going to be easy.

GD

1973parahead · Sat Jan 03, 2009 10:50 pm by 1973parahead

looks great

Oisin Creagh · Sat Jan 03, 2009 11:04 pm by Oisin Creagh

I am ready to test in Cork 'conditions'! Looks very good. Nice and simple. So far so good.

Oisin

Dean · Sun Jan 04, 2009 10:51 am by Dean

Mighty job Gordon
Stick me down for a set- when is the first production run going to be ready?
Dean

Gordon Dunn · Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:09 pm by Gordon Dunn

Ready for first flight test now- everything installed on the machine, remote activation switch, heads, etc.... can be installed in under 5 mins- no big deal really. Just need the weather to fly!
Did a check with the unit on my back... with the strobes running there is no hint of them in your perifery vision while looking forward.. They have been installed so that the 'dead side', ie the point at which the cable connects to the head, is facing the pilot... so that you don't get the flash.
If it is a distraction during flight you can turn them off using the remote switch on the frame. With the 'dead sides' facing inward, it means you have full 360 degree visiblity on all 3 axis of the machine... so that no matter what direction the PPG is being viewed from, you will see at least one head.

garyfreefly · Fri Apr 17, 2009 8:07 pm by garyfreefly

another close encounter with a flying object a helicopter this time :shock:

? is there any chance of you starting to market your strobes in the near future or should I start to fly with a smoke canister :!:

Gordon Dunn · Sun Jun 07, 2009 11:25 am by Gordon Dunn

Some excellent video footage of teh strobes in action here-
http://www.gordondunn.co.uk/videogaller ... FL-301.wmv

GD

garyfreefly · Sat Jul 04, 2009 9:45 am by garyfreefly

If you want somebody to try out your strobes....(I will buy them first?)
then I am your man.....

Holiday season is in full swing and friday night is almost a No fly night around here......because all the very-very rich second home owners like to commute by helicopter....whilst looking at the scenery and not the way their going :arrow:

Despite the resesion the sky is full of whirly birds after 6pm

Before that I have to put up with the Jets :cry:

at least my new fusion has outmanoeuvred everything up to now

But some nice shiny flashing lights would help :idea:

PLEASE Gordon

Gordon Dunn · Sat Jul 04, 2009 11:32 am by Gordon Dunn

Gary- Apprently these units will be commercially available in the next 5-6 weeks- I'll keep you posted.

GD

LED Strobes

LED Strobes

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