Power Kite Forum

Can I attach LEDs to a foil? I wanna fly at night!

bassboi - 2-4-2010 at 09:10 PM

I was wondering if it would be a problem to attach some LEDs to my Twister II for some night time flying... it'll be probably just 4 of them, one on each corner. Should I be worried of anything?

highazakite - 2-4-2010 at 09:35 PM

I bet you could. If ya do post how ya attached it and some pics of it flying. I bet using diff colors for left & right would help.

powerkiter82 - 2-4-2010 at 10:45 PM

Yes, it can be done, I have done it in the past with 2 line stunt kites. Your main concern is that the LED and its mounting and power source do not add too much weight to the kite which could affect how it handles. If you keep everything as small as possible you should not have any problems. You also want to place them equally, both top corners, bottom corners, or all four.

herc - 3-4-2010 at 01:20 AM

just use fishermen's glow sticks. they are cheap (i suppose), lightweight and are omnidirectional lightsources. i think LED are not optimal, because they are unidirectional and you would need to adjust their orientation ...

at least, i already saw some people flying their kites with glowlights attached!

BigMikesKites - 3-4-2010 at 05:11 AM

One of the locals here put some fingerlights strapped to the bridles facing back toward the kite. The 4m Beamer had a faint glow to it and the lights danced around.

bupper - 3-4-2010 at 05:51 AM

Yes, it can. In the Netherlands we have small bikelights with an elastic on it. You can put them on the bridle or dump them inside the kite. It gives a 'ufo' effect. Success!

Greetings from the east side ;-)

Hardrock - 3-4-2010 at 06:34 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by herc
just use fishermen's glow sticks. they are cheap (i suppose), lightweight and are omnidirectional lightsources. i think LED are not optimal, because they are unidirectional and you would need to adjust their orientation ...

at least, i already saw some people flying their kites with glowlights attached!


I've always wanted to try this but just haven't. Sure would be nice on a warm summer night.

acampbell - 3-4-2010 at 07:43 AM

Yeah at Treasure Island in Clearwater one year people were putting LED's on their Stunters and Revs and it looked like they were purpose made for kites.

I tossed a couple of glow sticks in the tip cells of my Reactor one night and it was cool, but they kept falling out.

Jaymz - 3-4-2010 at 08:19 PM

Buy from one of our own. Don @ PowerKitePlace.com
He's @ NABX playin on the playa.

http://www.kiteplace.com/KiteLights.htm

bassboi - 3-4-2010 at 11:49 PM

Where would I put the battery pack, though... Seems to me weight would be an issue...

acampbell - 4-4-2010 at 02:14 AM

watch batteries for LED's weigh almost nothing

WIllardTheGrey - 4-4-2010 at 03:13 AM

Something like this?


By the dozen-HERE

Or this I figure if a balloon can lift them then it shouldn't affect a kite much.


Ooooo sparkleysss....... ok I'll go to bed now:rolleyes:.

thelaserman - 5-4-2010 at 09:23 AM

i use glow sticks 4-5 times a year

bassboi - 5-4-2010 at 02:05 PM

I've read quite a few threads about flying at night, and I've come to a conclusion.

I think I am going to put some sort of light device, probably glowsticks or LED blinky things, in the dirtouts of the kite. one color on each side, and attach glowy stuff to my equipment so I can find it easily. I think this should result in some people saying UFO sightings.. :D

bassboi - 5-4-2010 at 02:06 PM

Oh, thank you guys for the input. it's much appreciated.