Heli Hacker
Feb 18, 2008, 04:23 PM
As of May 28, 2008 I have plenty of components, so if anyone wants a set of tube lights, contact me at mechg@sbcglobal.net.
Scroll down for photos.
So far I have sold 30 sets of lights. One buyer was so happy with his 3-light set that he ordered 2 more to use on his RC cars.
See my trader ratings:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/traderratings.php?u=187518
See my feedback rating on Ebay:
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=illumatube&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller
The Skid lights set consists of 2 white 3mmx4" skid lights + 2-way cable 8" long. Entire set weighs 2.3 grams. It sells for $10.95 + shipping.
The 3-light set allows you to run 1, 2, or 3 lights at once. It consists of 2 white 3mmx4" skid lights + 1 5mmx6" tail boom light (with 4 interchangeable tubes of various colors) + 3-way cable 8" long. It sells for $12.95 + shipping. Entire set weighs 3.7 grams.
The 4-light set allows you to run 1, 2, 3, or 4 lights at once. It includes 3 large 5mmx6" lights with 6 interchangeable tubes of various colors, plus 2 smaller 3mmx4" lights with white tubes. Also included is a white LED to illuminate the forward fuselage (nose light) That way you can run 3 color tubes plus a nose light, or 2 white + one color, or any variation of those. A 4-way cable is included. Weight to run 3 large lights plus nose light is 5.6 grams. Using the 3mmx4" lights on the skids brings it down to 4.5 grams . The photos show the complete set and some possible configurations. I am selling this set for $18.00 + shipping.
All sets plug into a spare receiver slot to use its ~5v power (universal servo connector with pins spaced at 2.54mm. These were designed initially for the CX2, but can be used on any heli with a spare servo output or other 5vdc source. One buyer is using the 3mm white skid lights on his Falcon 3D, to go with the glow-wire he installed on the canopy and tail boom.
These use white-light LEDs, not UV, so there is no risk of UV eye damage.
Each light draws 20mA current. Impact to flight time on a CX2 is minimal; Running 4 lights might reduce flight time by 15 seconds max.
These are much more than just an LED stuck in a soda straw. Chromed reflector end plugs help to distribute the light evenly across the tube. Components are modular and interchangeable to give you many configuration options. The Kynar-insulated wiring minimizes weight to maximize flight time. And the tubes can be cut shorter by the user if desired.
I prefer PayPal, although I will accept checks or money orders.
Shipping is $3.50 US and Canada, $6.50 other countries. If you are not happy for any reason, I will work with you to resolve the problem, or promptly refund your money if you prefer, within 10 days of your receiving the kit. I warranty my work against defects for 90 days.
Initial discussion thread is here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792786
Photos of bobunobu's CX2 with a 4-light set installed:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=194290
A customer in Splendora, Texas wrote to me about the skid lights he bought to use with glo-wire on his Falcon 3D:
"From about 24 inches above the ground the white tube lights illuminate the ground. Makes landings oh so easy as I can easily see where the ground is and if I'm level or not with said ground before I touchdown. Also stands out nicely in flight and helps with orientation of course. They're just the right brightness... enough to illuminate the ground for that last 2 feet of space before landing, but not so bright as to washout the glowires on the body and tail. "
mechg@sbcglobal.net
Scroll down for photos.
So far I have sold 30 sets of lights. One buyer was so happy with his 3-light set that he ordered 2 more to use on his RC cars.
See my trader ratings:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/traderratings.php?u=187518
See my feedback rating on Ebay:
http://feedback.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewFeedback2&userid=illumatube&ftab=FeedbackAsSeller
The Skid lights set consists of 2 white 3mmx4" skid lights + 2-way cable 8" long. Entire set weighs 2.3 grams. It sells for $10.95 + shipping.
The 3-light set allows you to run 1, 2, or 3 lights at once. It consists of 2 white 3mmx4" skid lights + 1 5mmx6" tail boom light (with 4 interchangeable tubes of various colors) + 3-way cable 8" long. It sells for $12.95 + shipping. Entire set weighs 3.7 grams.
The 4-light set allows you to run 1, 2, 3, or 4 lights at once. It includes 3 large 5mmx6" lights with 6 interchangeable tubes of various colors, plus 2 smaller 3mmx4" lights with white tubes. Also included is a white LED to illuminate the forward fuselage (nose light) That way you can run 3 color tubes plus a nose light, or 2 white + one color, or any variation of those. A 4-way cable is included. Weight to run 3 large lights plus nose light is 5.6 grams. Using the 3mmx4" lights on the skids brings it down to 4.5 grams . The photos show the complete set and some possible configurations. I am selling this set for $18.00 + shipping.
All sets plug into a spare receiver slot to use its ~5v power (universal servo connector with pins spaced at 2.54mm. These were designed initially for the CX2, but can be used on any heli with a spare servo output or other 5vdc source. One buyer is using the 3mm white skid lights on his Falcon 3D, to go with the glow-wire he installed on the canopy and tail boom.
These use white-light LEDs, not UV, so there is no risk of UV eye damage.
Each light draws 20mA current. Impact to flight time on a CX2 is minimal; Running 4 lights might reduce flight time by 15 seconds max.
These are much more than just an LED stuck in a soda straw. Chromed reflector end plugs help to distribute the light evenly across the tube. Components are modular and interchangeable to give you many configuration options. The Kynar-insulated wiring minimizes weight to maximize flight time. And the tubes can be cut shorter by the user if desired.
I prefer PayPal, although I will accept checks or money orders.
Shipping is $3.50 US and Canada, $6.50 other countries. If you are not happy for any reason, I will work with you to resolve the problem, or promptly refund your money if you prefer, within 10 days of your receiving the kit. I warranty my work against defects for 90 days.
Initial discussion thread is here:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=792786
Photos of bobunobu's CX2 with a 4-light set installed:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/member.php?u=194290
A customer in Splendora, Texas wrote to me about the skid lights he bought to use with glo-wire on his Falcon 3D:
"From about 24 inches above the ground the white tube lights illuminate the ground. Makes landings oh so easy as I can easily see where the ground is and if I'm level or not with said ground before I touchdown. Also stands out nicely in flight and helps with orientation of course. They're just the right brightness... enough to illuminate the ground for that last 2 feet of space before landing, but not so bright as to washout the glowires on the body and tail. "
mechg@sbcglobal.net