Brite Lite LED lighting system

Maddog · Aug 23, 2017

Pedals2Paddles said:
Of all the modifications I've done to my Solo, this is still my favorite and by far the most useful.

I really wish I had a high quality video camera to show what the Solo looks like in the air with these lights. My phone really can't do it justice. It makes the Solo look so much more professional. It looks like a tool rather than a toy, and I think that has a huge impact on public perception. When people look up at it, they don't see a stereotypical flying toy that must be spying on them. They see a highly visible professional device that is obviously not sneaking up on anyone. Lots of people walk by the area where I fly in my neighborhood. I see their reactions and it's always positive, or at worst indifferent. Lots of people even ask if they can look at the screen and see it the scenery.

I can look up and immediately require visual contact with the solo rather than looking around trying to find the dot in the sky. And it is immediately obvious what it's orientation is at all times. I don't think I have ever had to stop and think "crap which way am I pointing" or ended up going the wrong way due to disorientation. And during the day, I don't even use the front nav lights. Just the strobes.

It also makes finding a crashed solo in the middle of the woods at dusk much easier. Just walk towards halo of flashing light. I generally suggest trying to avoid practicing this this though...

Thanks- I really appreciate the good words!

Maddog · Aug 23, 2017

Learning2Fly said:
Nice intel P2P !
I'm looking forward to getting these!!... if only Maddog would respond to my PM's [emoji57]

Sorry, having server issues. Just sent you a PM with ordering info.

Learning2Fly · Aug 23, 2017

YES!!!! Like a true professional Maddog hit me up then dropped them in the mail the same day !!
Stellar!

Maddog · Aug 26, 2017

View media item 689
Have 3 in stock, ready to ship!

Learning2Fly · Aug 29, 2017

Got my kit on yesterday while doing the GPS and WiFi card upgrades . Looks totally professional and installs in a flash. Takes the Solo from toy to tool !!

Maddog · Aug 29, 2017

Learning2Fly said:
Got my kit on yesterday while doing the GPS and WiFi card upgrades . Looks totally professional and installs in a flash. Takes the Solo from toy to tool !!

Good to hear- thank you!

jbrunel · Sep 1, 2017

I received my kit today. These lights are awesome and a bargain for what you get. Thanks again Mark

Maddog · Sep 1, 2017

jbrunel said:
I received my kit today. These lights are awesome and a bargain for what you get. Thanks again Mark

Thanks Jim! Glad you like them.

Jdc · Sep 15, 2017

Maddog said:
Thanks Jim! Glad you like them.

Hi - do you have kits available? If so, can you please send me payment instructions? Thanks!

Maddog · Sep 15, 2017

Jdc said:
Hi - do you have kits available? If so, can you please send me payment instructions? Thanks!

Yes, I have them ready for immediate shipping. I can have it in the mail as soon as tomorrow (Friday, 9-15)

I sent you a PM with payment instructions. They are still only $90+5 shipping in the US.

Gatrgetr · Oct 8, 2017

Maddog said:
I started this thread to consolidate information primarily from Flashing Lights? which contains the background of this project.

Basically, I was looking for some LED lights I could put on Solo so I could see it more easily and determine its orientation. Not finding anything quite what I was looking for, I spent many hours in my state of the art ISO 9001 factory (garage workshop) doing R & D.

I finally came up with what I am calling the "Brite Lite Anti-Collision Lighting System" for Solo.

Description:

Red/Green navigation lights up front (always on, not flashing)
2 white high power 5W strobing LED's in back which double-flash in unison
1 red high power 5W strobing LED in back between the white LED's which double-flashes and alternates with the white LED's. Can be mounted angled up, behind the battery or angled down at the rear of Solo.

There are 3 separate power supplies and each has been "tuned" to give a good balance between current draw and light output. I have been seeing a flight time reduction of about a minute using all the lights for an entire flight. Can't guarantee what you will experience.

Weight: not sure (forgot to find a scale) but very light. Much less than an iphone 5.

The controller plugs into the port on the bottom of Solo (covered with a rubber plug) and is held in place with 4 screws. (Included) It has a 3 position switch: All- Off- Strobes only.

The LED mounting brackets have an alignment tab for exact placement and are held in place with VHB tape.
Sticks like iron but can be removed without leaving any residue.

The silicone wiring is measured so there is almost no slack to prevent flopping around. Ive found silicone adhesive to be the best removable adhesive to attach the wire to Solo, but you can use whatever you like.

Price: $90 + $5 shipping via USPS priority mail anywhere in CONUS. Will ship out of the US, just need to check on shipping.
You will receive: The complete system, with mounting screws and written instructions/information. Should only take 5 minutes to install everything.

Ordering: prefer PayPal, but you are free to mail a check or money order. Please send me a PM so I can keep track of orders. I will give you the PayPal or mailing info after I get your PM.

Orders filled as follows:
Those who made a request by posting on the "flashing lights" thread or elsewhere, or who sent me a PM, in the order they were posted/sent.
Orders made by PM today and later, next, in the order received.

I am not a business, just 1 guy who decided to make this available to some Solo owners who expressed an interest. I did not anticipate the response I have gotten already. (Over a dozen in just the past couple of days) so I spent all morning ordering more parts to fill demand. I couldn't afford to keep a lot of parts on hand not knowing if I would be stuck with them. I have parts arriving on 2-7 to finish some I have already started.

I will build and ship as fast as I can, but these are surprisingly complicated and labor intensive. Expect about 2 weeks to receive now, hopefully faster as parts arrive and I get better.

Thank you!
View attachment 5259 View attachment 5260 View attachment 5261 View attachment 5262 View attachment 5263
More pics posted in my album.

speatuk said:
Pm Maddog.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maddog said:
I started this thread to consolidate information primarily from Flashing Lights? which contains the background of this project.

Basically, I was looking for some LED lights I could put on Solo so I could see it more easily and determine its orientation. Not finding anything quite what I was looking for, I spent many hours in my state of the art ISO 9001 factory (garage workshop) doing R & D.

I finally came up with what I am calling the "Brite Lite Anti-Collision Lighting System" for Solo.

Description:

Red/Green navigation lights up front (always on, not flashing)
2 white high power 5W strobing LED's in back which double-flash in unison
1 red high power 5W strobing LED in back between the white LED's which double-flashes and alternates with the white LED's. Can be mounted angled up, behind the battery or angled down at the rear of Solo.

There are 3 separate power supplies and each has been "tuned" to give a good balance between current draw and light output. I have been seeing a flight time reduction of about a minute using all the lights for an entire flight. Can't guarantee what you will experience.

Weight: not sure (forgot to find a scale) but very light. Much less than an iphone 5.

The controller plugs into the port on the bottom of Solo (covered with a rubber plug) and is held in place with 4 screws. (Included) It has a 3 position switch: All- Off- Strobes only.

The LED mounting brackets have an alignment tab for exact placement and are held in place with VHB tape.
Sticks like iron but can be removed without leaving any residue.

The silicone wiring is measured so there is almost no slack to prevent flopping around. Ive found silicone adhesive to be the best removable adhesive to attach the wire to Solo, but you can use whatever you like.

Price: $90 + $5 shipping via USPS priority mail anywhere in CONUS. Will ship out of the US, just need to check on shipping.
You will receive: The complete system, with mounting screws and written instructions/information. Should only take 5 minutes to install everything.

Ordering: prefer PayPal, but you are free to mail a check or money order. Please send me a PM so I can keep track of orders. I will give you the PayPal or mailing info after I get your PM.

Orders filled as follows:
Those who made a request by posting on the "flashing lights" thread or elsewhere, or who sent me a PM, in the order they were posted/sent.
Orders made by PM today and later, next, in the order received.

I am not a business, just 1 guy who decided to make this available to some Solo owners who expressed an interest. I did not anticipate the response I have gotten already. (Over a dozen in just the past couple of days) so I spent all morning ordering more parts to fill demand. I couldn't afford to keep a lot of parts on hand not knowing if I would be stuck with them. I have parts arriving on 2-7 to finish some I have already started.

I will build and ship as fast as I can, but these are surprisingly complicated and labor intensive. Expect about 2 weeks to receive now, hopefully faster as parts arrive and I get better.

Thank you!
View attachment 5259 View attachment 5260 View attachment 5261 View attachment 5262 View attachment 5263
More pics posted in my album.

I would like a set please