A
Avalanche
Guest
I just found these forums through the LED museam, and I am amazed! I didn't know there were so many people who (like me) love flashlights and LEDs.
I'm currently working on an LED stroboscope. I fly micro radio controlled helicopters, and it is very important to know the speed of the main rotor. Weight is a huge issue, so I can't put any sensors on the helicopter itself. To this end, I've designed a circuit with a microcontroller that will flash an LED at the correct frequency to stop the blades. The user selects an RPM value, and the circuit does the rest. My problem is finding the right LED for the job. I'm experimenting with AND190 11,000mcd RED leds,and they are GREAT at DC, but are pitifully dim when used in my circuit. I'm flashing at around 33hz, with a minimum 3us on time. I can make the on time much longer, but if I make it too long, the strobed object gets too blurry to see.
I need a LED (or cluster of them) that will be bright enough to see under these conditions. Room lights will be dimmed, but they have to be on at least bright enought for the pilot to see the helicopter. Cost is a factor, as I might actually make a few of these to sell. I'm not adverse to using color LED's - - in fact I was thinking of using Reds coupled with some of those "laser enhancing goggles" often sold with Laser level sets.
Any advice? I'm leaning toward a 1w red batwing luxeon star/o, but they are pretty expensive. I've also been eyeing some automotive bulb replacement clusters, which sell for $5.00 or so. The problem with those is that the LEDS are wired up in series for 12v, and my device is a handheld unit running off of 4AAs or a 9v.
Thanks for any help you guys can give!
-Adam
I'm currently working on an LED stroboscope. I fly micro radio controlled helicopters, and it is very important to know the speed of the main rotor. Weight is a huge issue, so I can't put any sensors on the helicopter itself. To this end, I've designed a circuit with a microcontroller that will flash an LED at the correct frequency to stop the blades. The user selects an RPM value, and the circuit does the rest. My problem is finding the right LED for the job. I'm experimenting with AND190 11,000mcd RED leds,and they are GREAT at DC, but are pitifully dim when used in my circuit. I'm flashing at around 33hz, with a minimum 3us on time. I can make the on time much longer, but if I make it too long, the strobed object gets too blurry to see.
I need a LED (or cluster of them) that will be bright enough to see under these conditions. Room lights will be dimmed, but they have to be on at least bright enought for the pilot to see the helicopter. Cost is a factor, as I might actually make a few of these to sell. I'm not adverse to using color LED's - - in fact I was thinking of using Reds coupled with some of those "laser enhancing goggles" often sold with Laser level sets.
Any advice? I'm leaning toward a 1w red batwing luxeon star/o, but they are pretty expensive. I've also been eyeing some automotive bulb replacement clusters, which sell for $5.00 or so. The problem with those is that the LEDS are wired up in series for 12v, and my device is a handheld unit running off of 4AAs or a 9v.
Thanks for any help you guys can give!
-Adam