AR Drone 2.0 - Is my circuit correct?

#1
hi everyone :)

I get an AR Drone 2.0

and I want to add some lights on it!

1st of all I have seen this circuit and it will be my base:


http://www.555-timer-circuits.com/police-lights.html

I don't understand why led 1-2 & 3-4 don't get the same resistor? 4.7K & 470?

I want to use this circuit and add a switch, add also a light, and more leds, but before doing the final circuit I want to understand why the resistors are different :/

Thanks :p

Have a nice day!!

amazing website and forum is just starting :p

Later if I succeed to do the circuit I will give you a video :p
 

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
#2
Welcome to the forum 1app4me!

The colour of the LED is the reason for the different resistor values. Each colour of LED has a different voltage drop and this requires you to adjust the resistors to give the same brightness.

Color Potential Difference
Infrared 1.6 V
Red 1.8 V to 2.1 V
Orange 2.2 V
Yellow 2.4 V
Green 2.6 V
Blue 3.0 V to 3.5 V
White 3.0 V to 3.5 V
Ultraviolet 3.5 V

In the circuit it uses red and blue LED's. I used the equation below to work out the red then matched the blue with what I thought was a similar brightness.

Code:
(voltage applied - forward voltage drop) / forward current = resistor value
Red LED:

Code:
(9V - 1.8V) / .015A = 480 ohms
Good luck!
 

1app4me

New Member
#3
Thanks :p today I create the complete circuit and post it there to know if its correct.

my battery is a 11,1V 1000mAh, must I add a resistor at the entrance? Or must I change the other resistor on the circuit?

thanx again ;-)
 

1app4me

New Member
#4
Now i am not sure lol
blue led get 3v for example and you use a 4.7resistor with it... With 9v . So into the resistor this is 6v right?
so this is also a 1,2mA and the same on the led. This is weird to get 1,2mA for a led :/

is there a mistake from me?

thanks :p
 
#5
I was working on this project a month ago, and thought the 555 method was pretty much my only choice. But I really didnt want to clutter the inside of my drone with a bunch of parts and pieces. Then by chance I came across this website http://www.modeltrainsoftware.com/ledlights1.html. Unless you just want to build out the circuit yourself or sync the lights in some manner, I would HIGHLY recommend them, they have managed to integrate the necessary components into the LED/ heats hrinked area without needed any other parts aside from a switch (if you want one). They are very cheap and shipped to me very quickly. I put two red/blue fast flash LED's in the back and two larger white ones in the front to assist with night time flying. I would be happy to post a demo video if you would like.
 
#6
Hi :)

thanks for your answer ;)

I have done the circuit on a paper and I am creating an image to show you it ;)

Thanks Brandon Sikes, I have already visited this website! cool :p

But I need +/- 100 leds + 1 spot :p

So I am trying to do something personal, you know the personal achievement thing :p and if it doesn't work sure I will search on it :p

By the way I would like a demo video sure :)

Have a nice day!

thanks again!
 
#9
I've added a lot of LEDs to RC aircraft. I normally use LED strips that take a 2s or 3s LiPo as an input.

Anyway, I'd suggest taking the power for your circuit from the battery's balance tap. That way, a screw-up in your wiring won't damage the Parrot's systems. You can usually find standard balance tap connectors online as an accessory pack for an after-market charger.


For RC models, the most important thing is to keep it light. "Perfection has been reached not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." RFC 1925.