Model Boat Mayhem
Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Radio Equipment => Topic started by: Davenotdone on February 07, 2013, 09:36:19 pm
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Hi folks. Can you run LED lights off a receiver? The idea is plug in a Y lead into the channel for the rudder, one lead goes to the rudder and the other lead ( reduce the three core cable two 2 cables leaving the and - only ) and use this to power a flashing Police light set i have just bought and a couple of running lights as if i am right the and - are powered all the time? I am running the lot off a 7.2v 5amp stick battery ( BEC ) so power isn't an issue. I don't want to turn the lights on and off using the radio, i just want the approx 5v the receiver i think gives out to power the light set i have which is rated for 6v max. The light set did come with a receiver plug on the end but i have only 2 channels and not a spare available. Regards, Dave.
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Best not to use the bec. Leds normally like about 3v. So best to run straight off your battery using the correct resistor. Plenty of infro on this subject on previous threads. John.
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Thanks for that John. The flashing Police lights are meant to be powered from the receiver, they were built that way and state a limit of 6v and you are meant to plug them into a spare channel of your receiver ( which i don't have ) hence the question about the Y leads from the rudder idea i had. Regards, Dave.
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There is a guy on eBay selling LEDs for boats and cars with a receiver plug. These are fitted with the appropriate resistors for 6 volts, so that should be OK.
The use of a Y lead should be fine, providing the BEC is man enough for the job.
Barrie
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Cheers for that Barrie, is 24seconds the record so far for a reply!!!!!! :-)) Regards, Dave.
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I was typing as you were!
Barrie
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While I wouldn't do it, this is OK as long as you don't go mental with the number of lights. LEDs take on average only about 20mA each so there's little chance of blowing up a BEC with just one or two.
DM
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As long as the LEDs each have an appropriate current limiting circuit and there are not too many for the BEC, no problem. If the BEC starts to go into overload, the output voltage will become less stable, and you could start getting twitchy servos, of which there have been plenty of threads lately.
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Thanks to you all for your help. I will give it a try on the receiver and if no joy i will fit a resistor between the 7.2v stick battery and run it straight off that. Just didn't want to cut the Tamiya connectors between the battery and the ESC to get the power to the lights, that all. Thank you all again, regards, Dave ( still not done ). :((
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why not make up an infill lead, tamiya male one end and tamiya female on the other end you can then solder the LED power leads into the short lead without having to cut off connectors
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I hope Dave does not mind me hijacking this thread slightly, but I too have a number of blue 9v flashing LED's on my boat which are currently run off a small 9v battery that I have to physically switch on and off as required. Can anyone please suggest how to set up some form of servo based trip switch to turn them on and off using a spare radio channel? I dont want to have to replace all of the LED'S with ones of another voltage so I need to stick with the ones I have.
Many thanks,
Chris
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Can anyone please suggest how to set up some form of servo based trip switch to turn them on and off using a spare radio channel?
1) A servo with the arm operating a microswitch.
2) Something like this http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26114__Multi_Remote_Receiver_operated_on_off_Switch_UK_Warehouse_.html (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__26114__Multi_Remote_Receiver_operated_on_off_Switch_UK_Warehouse_.html)
3) Make your own using the OptoGlo II or RC-Cam bit switch (http://www.rc-cam.com/bitsw.htm) circuits.
HTH
Steve
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Can you run LED lights off a receiver?
A bit of a late reply.... I have done this on a couple of models where the receiver is buried so that I have visual indication that there is power to the receiver.
Steve
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Thank you both, I now have a better idea on how to do this. I had not even thought of a microswitch!
Ta,
Chris
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I had not even thought of a microswitch!
Then think no more of one http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/switches.php (http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/switches.php)
DM