APM 2.5 External Led lights

10oo5fm.jpg

Today I mounted and tested my led strobe lights.  (HK 12volt, 1Watt, corn led)

As I'm still a beginner when it comes to flying a multirotor this really helps on orientating and controlling the multirotor.

The Led's are indirectly connected to the APM 2.5 arm signal pin. The led's are mounted in series with a transistor that acts as a switch. The apm board sets the switch (transistor) on or off. I used very common and cheap electronic components that you should find in every diy electronics shop.

I have uploaded a shematic (connection diagram), pictures and movie to my blog (http://wipo-y6copter.blogspot.be)


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Comments

  • Moderator

    Hi Wipo

    No problem, I misread your needs. 

  • @Dwgsparky: I don't want the LEDs to be always ON by connecting them directly to the battery. I want the leds to be on when the quad is armed and flash when not armed. So I need to connect them to the apm ARM-SIGNAL-PIN.

    Watch the video on the blog.

  • Moderator

    why do this the had way? I simply use a 12volt LEd set as sold for cars in Walmart, they are permanently connected to the dead side of the XT60 connector. connect the battery and the LEDs are on, they use only about 60ma and so have negligible effect on the flight time. 

    easy

  • If you would like to use only one transistor you should use another model that can handle the load (current). The transistor I use can only handle one LED.

  • I like your LED build thanks for sharing

    Question: can you use just one transistor on the neg. side for three LEDs? or is it to much of a load?

  • Very clever and very interesting. Good work!
  • That's pretty cool and very bright! For orientation, I have found a single LED us the best.
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