Navigational LED's

Chuck

Chuck

Well-Known Member
One thing that I've noticed over some time, is that factory-built quads, both toy grade and hobby grade, have navigational LED's, while many of those built individually don't. I've seen nothing in the FAA regs addressing drones on the subject. Are they a requirement, or just something that the manufacturers are adding simply for those that fly at night to be able to see them in the dark? They are useless during daylight flying, and only serve to drain the battery at such time.
 
Chuck said:
One thing that I've noticed over some time, is that factory-built quads, both toy grade and hobby grade, have navigational LED's, while many of those built individually don't. I've seen nothing in the FAA regs addressing drones on the subject. Are they a requirement, or just something that the manufacturers are adding simply for those that fly at night to be able to see them in the dark? They are useless during daylight flying, and only serve to drain the battery at such time.
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They look cool and help sell product. You mostly will see them on racing quadcopters as far as home built quadcopters go. No regulations to my knowlege certainly nothing from the FAA, and they don't follow any standard color or function.
 
GJH105775 said:
They look cool and help sell product. You mostly will see them on racing quadcopters as far as home built quadcopters go. No regulations to my knowlege certainly nothing from the FAA, and they don't follow any standard color or function.
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On a homebuilt, how would they be wired into either the power distribution board, or glight control board? Also on home builts, is there an "ON/OFF" power switch, or do you just disconnect the battery to kill power when not in use?
 
Chuck said:
On a homebuilt, how would they be wired into either the power distribution board, or glight control board? Also on home builts, is there an "ON/OFF" power switch, or do you just disconnect the battery to kill power when not in use?
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Depends on the builder. I had a strip of multicolored LEDs controlled by a set of 4 dip switches. There are several flight controllers that support LED control and you can link it to a channel on your radio to switch on, off or have different options beyond those two. Many people have 12v LEDs just wired into the PDB as well, or going through a PWM LED switch to use their radio without flight controller support. Even seen builds that get brighter or change color based on conditions such as throttle or the pitch.

Lots of options out there. Are you interested in anything in particular?
 
GJH105775 said:
Depends on the builder. I had a strip of multicolored LEDs controlled by a set of 4 dip switches. There are several flight controllers that support LED control and you can link it to a channel on your radio to switch on, off or have different options beyond those two. Many people have 12v LEDs just wired into the PDB as well, or going through a PWM LED switch to use their radio without flight controller support. Even seen builds that get brighter or change color based on conditions such as throttle or the pitch.

Lots of options out there. Are you interested in anything in particular?
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I was thinking along the lines similar to the two JJRC H25 quads that I have. When power is turned on, they blink until the link is established with the control transmitter. At which time they stay on until power is shut off. I've looked at some automotive LED's which are readily available in white, blue, green, amber, and red. But all operate at 12VDC. Will they work at 7.4VDC, or 11.1VDC?
 
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I got an led velcro strip that that just plugs into the pdb's dedicated led pins.
Once the sun goes down, yep you should have lights I'd say. At least front & rear facing.
 
Chuck said:
I was thinking along the lines similar to the two JJRC H25 quads that I have. When power is turnedvon, they blink until the link is established with the control transmitter. At which time they stay on until power is shut off. I've looked at dome automotive LED's which are readily available in white, blue, green, amber, and red. But all operate at 12VDC. Will they work at 7.4VDC, or 11.1VDC?
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I'd avoid automotive LEDs, some vehicles require resistors to make them draw a little more current to make the computer recognize that is not a bad build, that is mostly for the retro fit type though so you should be good as long as they don't have some crazy power consumption. Also they are usually not too concerned with weight so they can be heavy, I'd personally just use regular LEDs or LED strips.
 
GJH105775 said:
I'd avoid automotive LEDs, some vehicles require resistors to make them draw a little more current to make the computer recognize that is not a bad build, that is mostly for the retro fit type though so you should be good as long as they don't have some crazy power consumption. Also they are usually not too concerned with weight so they can be heavy, I'd personally just use regular LEDs or LED strips.
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Nah you just don't get the resistors. Or buy bulbs with out the resistors like interior lights. LEDs are just LEDs nothing special. I know many people buy 'automotive' 12v led strips because resistors are built in to run them off 3s lipos.

That said Chuck what are you after? True navigation lights? Some seizure inducing light strobes? Flood lights for night fflyin?

There are some modular led boards for quads that you can use with some FC. But usually they're just 4 different leds that strobe.

If you want multiple functions your best bet would be to get an Arduino nano and build your own led cicuit with the LEDs of your choice. Hook up a servo out to a pwm in on the Arduino set a knob or switch to that servo channel and bam you'll have unlimited light patterns.
 
I do mostly night flying so I use Strobon LED's. They are tiny but stupid bright and have built-in rechargeable battery (recharge via USB). They are rated for 3 mile viability -- I've taken my AC out 2 miles and could still see them.

They are actually useful for navigation: Green on the front, red on the back and white on the sides. Using these you can easily tell the orientation of the AC at night.
 
Chuck said:
One thing that I've noticed over some time, is that factory-built quads, both toy grade and hobby grade, have navigational LED's, while many of those built individually don't. I've seen nothing in the FAA regs addressing drones on the subject. Are they a requirement, or just something that the manufacturers are adding simply for those that fly at night to be able to see them in the dark? They are useless during daylight flying, and only serve to drain the battery at such time.
Click to expand...
Chuck said:
One thing that I've noticed over some time, is that factory-built quads, both toy grade and hobby grade, have navigational LED's, while many of those built individually don't. I've seen nothing in the FAA regs addressing drones on the subject. Are they a requirement, or just something that the manufacturers are adding simply for those that fly at night to be able to see them in the dark? They are useless during daylight flying, and only serve to drain the battery at such time.
Click to expand...

Hey Chuck,
Actually my Phantom's lights are visible pretty well during the day up to about 100 yards. (unless the sun is behind it of course) I don't fly a lot further that that anyway. They come in handy when the battery runs low and they flash warning. I would consider putting on aftermarket better lights.
Have fun
Bill
 
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