Kite Lights...

[John Kennedy]

G'day guys & gals,
Quite recently I got the chance to chat with JB & Bazzer about my current idea's in regards to night kiting and what light options we all use.
By now a lot of people are aware of the "Finger Lights", sold as a pack of 4 usually with a colored LED bulb mounted in a small housing with a elastic backing which you can use to attach to your finger or in our case, the kite.

Through experimenting, I have found a High Powered LED Epistar of either 1W or 3W that you can solder little leads onto then sandwich a CR2032 button cell battery in between the leads. The advantage of this LED is it has a 140degree viewing angle and extremely bright.
I have placed these LED's either in front of the kite, of projected the light onto the back of the kite using a stand-off.

I have also used the Turnigy light sets, available from HobbyKing online, and they really, really stand out.

The REV pic attached has both a Turningy light strip as well as the individual 1W LED's on the corner's.

I have also recently discovered a DIY light kit being offered, but will purchase & test before posting here.

What have you made/ use to light up your kite?

[mystainedskin]

I use something similar. Don't have a picture available right now..as I am on the beach. Oats...a member here gave me a set graciously...and they work quite well. Twist on and off with a rubber washer for "waterproofing". Last forever...had mine for months ,with several sessions...and still havnt had to change battery. With a single l.e.d., there is a very slim draw on the cell

[mystainedskin]

Here's a shot of them on the kite. Pressed between rod and bungee @ endcaps.

[trigger]

like it. extremely bright and light i bet. I've been working with the LED strips. waiting for school to get out for my son to be able to do some night

[P.V. Nguyen]

I would like to continue this topic, especially with WSIKF night fly coming up soon.
How do you light your kite? Close-ups pictures to show lights/batteries placements would be a bonus.

[White Rabbit]

I have been interested in this, as well, and would love to see more detailed information on how to pull this off without damaging my Rev.

I'm particularly fond of this video on YouTube:

Team4Fun auf Nachtflug in Oostende/Belgien 2010

 

[Paul LaMasters]

those lights are available (or something very similar) from Flying smiles/Shooks.  Clips onto the magic stick, backlights the kite, weighs so little you could leave 'em on or set-up hours before darkness falls.  They are like 5 bucks, replaceable batteries, totally waterproof and a six second installation time.  The come in colors too, so you can find you kite during a "fly-thru" from a bursting ball HA!

We flew 'em rigged this way up at long beach island (NJ) for a night fly and a large meteor tore across the sky diagonally during the maneuver <LOL> we thought someone was invading our airspace,  everyone gasped and didn't know what to do.

good times with lights and kites

[John Barresi]

Hire some floodlights.

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