EDF afterburner light effect

[hyperdyne]

Another project on the bench:

Just for kicks, I started wiring up my afterburner light circuit for my HP F-16 edf. It is y-cabled to the throttle channel so it brightens and dims automatically.

I am still playing around with the best geometry and number of LEDs. This was my proto attempt, but the result was still pretty interesting. I will try more LEDs and a flexible light strip next to see which gives the best effect. I want the whole inner duct tube to light up! I will probably boost the LED current also, they were only sourcing a measly 20mA.

Here is a movie of the proto circuit working:
RC afterburner for HP F-16 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMJ2_HrOFAM) (0 min 22 sec)

[hyperdyne]

ok, I tried to take some pics and video last night of the final circuit as installed in my Phase 3 F-16.

The custom circuit board I made is about the size of a thumbnail. I used a y-cable to the throttle channel. The "on" position for the lights is determined by the throttle stick position when you apply batt power. This makes it somewhat flexible, as you can have the light effect come on right away or only have it come on at 80% throttle if you wanted.

Pic of effect at WOT:
http://www.hyperdynelabs.com/RC/f16_aftburn1.jpg


Here is a video of the throttle effect going up and down (the motor is not connected): VIDEO DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WORKING?!?
RC afterburner effect, F-16 EDF final (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMbvRVtfuyc) (0 min 23 sec) (0 min 23 sec)

Here is a video showing the side view. You can see the LEDs throw enough light to show through the foam! The only mod I had to do is take the black tailcone and put slits in it so the LEDs would sit flush and not crumple the exhaust ducting. This setup should not affect the jet's prior performance/speed!
RC afterburner effect, F-16 EDF side view (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRtGnZR8PGw) (0 min 30 sec) (0 min 30 sec)

And here is a slow motor spooling test to show how it operates with everything connected. I could only go 1/4 throttle before the thing wanted to jump away.
RC afterburner effect, F-16 EDF motor spool up (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJIj2C7O3pQ) (0 min 27 sec) (0 min 27 sec)

[uncljoe]

Hyperdyne
Looks great in the Dark, what does it look like in daylight ?
Semper Fi
Joe

[Lance Nordby]

That's pretty cool. I wonder if you should have some blue leds in there too?

Are you gonna sell the circuit boards? Or post instructions? I'd rather buy one though.

[BushmanLA]

Nice!

You need a way of getting some streamers to come out the back that look like exhaust.

Also, your jet needs working rockets. :D

[bmiller]

Dude thats bad a$$!
Are those videos all 20mA or did you bump the current already?

Bruce

[typicalaimster]

That is to cool!

[Tomapowa]

Re: "I will probably boost the LED current also, they were only sourcing a measly 20mA."

Be careful. Most 5mm LEDs are only good for 20-25mA max! Any more than that, you'll will eventually destroy them (excessive heat=thermal breakdown). If you want something brighter, it's best to get some higher "mcd"-rated LEDS, or best yet, get a few Luxeon 1 watt LEDs (350-400mA each). If you were pulsing/flashing the LEDs, you could in fact get away with pumping more than 20-25mA through the LEDs, momentarily that is (duty-cycling allows LED to cool).

It would also be cool to add some sort of flickering effect, possibly even with blue or UV LEDs (at higher throttle settings maybe).

[electriceye]

This could look really cool on a plane at late dusk with landing lights etc? Nice idea? Yes, some blue in there also? Looks great as is though!

[LKC]

Oh sweet !
I have a EF-16 that just might need this, even if just for the cool factor.. (and start flying in the late evening..lol)

Do you plan on releasing plans, a kit, or just doing it for fun ?
How compicated is the electronics involved ?

Looks awesome..
Luke

[metroidrc]

do you have a pic of your y harness connected to the LEDs? Is it just a straight connection? I was able to hook a small 3 cell lipo into a set of LEDs and it worked but I want to have it work with the throttle. Thanks!

[metroidrc]

oh I see, its a circuit you made. Hmmm. Do you think it would work with a brushed esc?

[hyperdyne]

The circuit is pretty simple actually. It just uses a micro, and I am going to add a bit more flicker at the higher brightness levels. I have the board y-cabled into the throttle channel and that powers the micro. The LEDs get their power from the battery (so I dont disturb the ESC).

Tomi, the LEDs I use are specialty ones that can take up to 100mA each. I am well versed in LED design as I do it all the time. Luxeons wont fit in my duct, and I wanted small LEDs that wouldnt disturb the exhaust but also easily hid behind the tailcone. I am running them at 100mA per string, and 2 strings for the entire afterburner. A total of 12 LEDs right now for a 4s pack with only 200mA draw max. They are already being pulsed as that is the easiest way to control brightness.

Anyway, the above videos had the LEDs pointed inwards to light up the exhaust ducting. That looks very cool on the ground, but when I flew her it was hard to make it out.

So I ended up turning the LEDs the other way to point outwards. The results were fantastic! Wow, it is really bright now and easily seen in any situation. It looks like a real afterburner ring when the plane is up there flying.

Here is a quick video we did (only got a couple sec):
RC afterburner effect, Phase 3 F-16 flight test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Z43Yb86sdM) (0 min 24 sec) (0 min 24 sec)
http://www.hyperdynelabs.com

[metroidrc]

what is a 'micro'? I don't know anything about circuits, but I want to include a light system with a new receiver ready kit product I'm going to be making 500 of units of soon...

[hyperdyne]

metroid, the circuit will work with any speed controller. It doesnt use it at all, it just plugs into your throttle channel.

[metroidrc]

can you make about 200 of these units and sell them wholesale to me? or is it soemthing I could just do without fancy electronics?

[metroidrc]

is it the relay switch kit?

[hyperdyne]

I could potenitally make a bunch of them.

No, it isnt the relay switch kit. It isnt even listed on my site yet, since I was still playing around with the prototype. I hadnt decided whether to make them in bulk or not.

If you just wanted LEDs to light up you could do that pretty easily. However, if you want the LEDs to light up proportional to the throttle then you need some sort of circuit. You could use a separate brushed ESC to do the LED brightness stuff, but I didnt want the added weight of a secondary ESC. So I made the tiny circuit instead...

[metroidrc]

i'm gonna try the brushed esc technique... will let you know if it works. :)

[hyperdyne]

yeah, that is the easiest way to get proportional brightness. But it wont add in the flicker effect. I am working on added flicker and also a "burst'" mode to make it look more realistic when you go WOT.

[metroidrc]

that would definitely be an added bonus! are you sure it works with a brushed esc?

[metroidrc]

well i tried with a small gws 5amp esc and no luck there... i had it hooked up to a brushed heli esc and it was making a weird pattern of lighting.

[hyperdyne]

No I am not sure it works with a brushed ESC, I was told by someone it worked on theirs.

The ESC solution may also depend on the make used.

[polimof]

damn nice!!! I want to do it too.

[mcross]

Hey hyperdyne,
How are the afterburner lights working out? Are they available yet?
Thanks,
mike

[vintage1]

Mike at Greenair Designs put a ring of red LEDS round his EDF and powered them via (470 ohm?) resistors from a small GES brushed ESC Y-linked to the throttle. Looks cheesily good actually.

piece of cake to rig up.

no inflight pictures as yet..

[mcross]

I have a light on my micro F-16 but it uses a Bit-Switch from Mr RC-Cam. It turns on at half throttle and doesn't flicker. I was hoping to find one that turns on higher (or adjustable turn on point) and has the flicker when it lights.