Any good ideas for diffusing LEDs?

[NicolaisenTorben]

I built a flight test wing rc foam planes and would like to add some LEDs. I'm using ws2812 LEDs, so they draw around 50ma a piece. My FC only outputs 1.5a and INAV only supports 32 LEDs anyway. Currently I'd like to place them on the bottom leading edge and trailing edge of the wing, only using 32 LEDs gives me a spacing around 2 inches. I don't mind if the light is a little spotty, but don't want just individual light sources either. I'd love some sort of narrow channel to route my LEDs through to diffuse the light. I considered just making a channel out of foam board, but maybe there's a better option.

 

[leukos]

I only ever built one RC plane, but it was wood and skrinkwrap construction for the wings. I would have placed LEDs on the inside of the wing within translucent shrinkwrap. I'm not quite picturing what you are proposing that wouldn't have some effect on the aerodynamics of the wing. Will the LEDs be inset on the undersides of the wings?

 

[Dave_H]

I play around with LED strips a bit, also look for ways to diffuse the light. However in flight you would need to consider weight, and bulk from point of view of drag, I presume? Does it need to be flexible?

With that spacing I doubt you will get anything approaching uniform light along the length, with any ordinary materials. I tried a translucent polyethylene foam tube, which works somewhat, but it's much too bulky/heavy for your purpose.

Plastic tubing, translucent or white, will provide some diffusion but also cut down the brightness. Possibly tubing with channels running lengthwise will diffuse better, could be designed for the purpose; not sure where to look for it.

Dave

 

[TPA]

Take a look at theatrical lighting gel / diffusion material. Rosco, Apollo, GAM were the big players in the day. This stuff's not as popular as it once was due to RGBW LEDs becoming more common, but it's still out there.

The material will be like a thicker version of saran wrap and very lightweight.