How much amperage from RX?

[Skid_Slide]

I'm working on a project to light up my little CP Pro. I have alot of small blue leds that I'm wiring together to get the right voltages for a jump off the RX. My question is, how many amps can i pull off the RX before it starts causing problems?

This is a CP Pro, with only 3 servo's and stock brushed motors.

[toro]

I would Say LED's shouldnt be a problem as long as there arent a ton. I dont know tech specs on that, but the full size Rx's can pull quite a bit through the buss' in there. I'd be worried about pulling voltage from the servos if you have more than say 10.

[Petey]

Depends on Rx and LED specs as some are brighter than others thus requiring more milliamps.
How many were you planning on using and do you have a link to them?

[Skid_Slide]

Cool thanks for the replies.

I have picked up a boat load of SMT led's and plan on installing those little suckers. I do not have the specs or the link yet. I forgot to grab them on my way out the door to tell you guys about.

What i really need now is insulated wire, super small and lightweight. I really hate magnet wire for these small projects, so can anyone point me to some super small insulated wire? I would prefer no epoxy coatings.

The LEDs im using are extremely small and pull very little amperage. They are 6v Blue 1mm x 2mm suface mount LEDs. They do run on around ~4.5v to ~7.5v fine, with varying degrees of brightness. I may have to affix my CC BEC to get them enough juice.

I'm looking at around 15-20 of these. I remember i worked out the power requirements a while back and it was pulling less than an amp for 10. Like I said tho, i will re-examine the power requirements when i get them in my hand.

I attempted to solder them over teh weekend, and got 2 going nice and bright with magnet wire (blegh). So all i need now is a good source for tiny wire and I'll be back on track.

[Flyinfool]

You can use 32awg servo wire from Maxx produts (http://www.maxxprod.com/mpi/mpi-5.html) near the bottom of the page.
Most LEDs draw around 20mA ea.
What RX are you running?
Most RX should not have a problem with 1A for the lights. Just make sure that your BEC is up to it.

[Skid_Slide]

Here we go...

I was alittle off on my voltages there and my size. Here is the info to find it yourself

eLED.com
PN: EP3216PBC-A
3.2X1.6MM Blue SMD LED

They are ~3v. When i get a good 3v power source ill measure the amperages. I don't think they are listed on the website

[Flyinfool]

You will want to run a resistor if you are going to run off of RX power. The resistor you need will depend on your RX voltage.
If you keep them to the rated 3.3V then they only draw 20mA each.
The current draw goes up quick as the voltage rises. At 3.5V the current is up to 50mA. These LEDs can take up to 3.8V but the current draw is off their chart.

I forgot to add, Blue LEDs are ESD sensitive so use proper precautions while handling them.

[Skid_Slide]

I've decided they will be running off a CC BEC with the exactly voltage for them. No worries. This is a much cleaner way, and more controllable. Even though it adds a few grams its not that big of a deal to me i suppose.

i guess that explains why i hooked them up to a 5v power supply and they sucked it dry in seconds. haha.

I have plenty of ESD training, so no worries. Although, its my understanding, they are no more or less sensitive to ESD than any other component (sans caps)

Its all good tho, as i have a bag of around 200. :-)

Thanks for the info also.

[Flyinfool]

I do not know just how ESD sensitive they are but I do know that only the blue LEDs carry an ESD warning. At least in the spec sheets that I have looked through.

Don't forget to post pics

[wingmanrc39]

I have seen a few flight pack lighting kits for the smaller bird here locally. They ran off there own two lithium AA's. now i know that they would put the weight on a cp pro but maybe not that much. the cp pro has plenty of pop for the extra weight depending on batteryt size.

I would think you have to go up in mah heli pack if you run a BEC.

I am Curious to see how this one works. keep us posted!


Steve

[praetorious]

Good fine wire to use is wire wrap wire. You can purchase it a digikey.
It's single strand and insulated(one copper wire) and quite strong. Pretty cheap too. I use it for smd pad-to-pad wiring.

[Skid_Slide]

Good fine wire to use is wire wrap wire. You can purchase it a digikey.
It's single strand and insulated(one copper wire) and quite strong. Pretty cheap too. I use it for smd pad-to-pad wiring.

Thats exactly the stuff i was looking for. Thanks!

I will post pictures as i build this little project. I was thinking more about it last night, and think i got it all sorted. I'll post pictures of progress and such... :cool: