Lights and battery drain

[coolhand]

Does anyone have any ideas on the topic of the affect of the arm lights or the external LED on battery drain or flight time? Logic tells me that there is some affect (its obviously using battery power), but has anyone done any testing to see if turning off the lights is worth worrying about for every flight?

 

[cryhavoc38]

the LED lights draw a miniscule amount of power.
Now if they were incandescent or Halogen bulbs..well then ya, turn em off.
LED's aren't power suckers on the Solo.

 

[Chuck]

Does anyone have any ideas on the topic of the affect of the arm lights or the external LED on battery drain or flight time? Logic tells me that there is some affect (its obviously using battery power), but has anyone done any testing to see if turning off the lights is worth worrying about for every flight?

I run the stock led's as well as Maddog's Brite Lite set, and have no noticeable difference in flight times so far. Even if it was a small, noticeable difference, I would still use them just for the fact I can see Solo better, and tell orientation easier.

 

[andrew.baker.142]

You can verify the current draw of the lights by using Mission Planner or Tower (can't remember if current is displayed in the Solo app). I find with the Polar Pro lights and two strobes they use about 1/2 amp which will have very little affect on your flight time. As a reference, Solo pulls about 20 amps in flight with GoPro and gimbal attached.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

The current can be seen right in the Solo app too. I've tried with the motor pod LEDs on and off using Hugh's mod. The difference isn't even measurable.

 

[coolhand]

Im a new Solo owner and dont have enough flights under my belt to gauge the difference. So I had taken my Polar Pros off just in case. The input is much appreciated.

 

[Pedals2Paddles]

The polar pros might shave half a minute off the flight time.