Terminal Fettler RF light kit questions

Jc27

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TDH PREMIUM MEMBER
For those of you that didn't know, I have a sale thread in the cargo hold for a Asok RF compatible light kit. I also have in that thread a prototype light kit for the TF RF. My question is what would the majority of you (TDHers) want for that kit. Is it imperative to have the clear section of the RF to light up, or would the 2 flashing red LEDs be enough? I am asking this because of the issues with the grain of wheat bulbs that were used in the movie helmet. The tilt switch I use isn't rated for the current that those bulbs pull, and I haven't really decided on what I could use as a replacement for the light bulbs. While I could use them with the Honeywell micro switch that was used on the real helm, that brings up the issue of installation of the switch; the helmet might need modding as well as where to mount the helmet battery pack and the wire need to make the circuit.
While the Honeywell switch and GOW bulbs would make a very accurate replica circuit, I feel that to make it the best possible, I would have to do all of the work myself(mod the helmet and run the wires). I am going to try it on my own extra helmet to see if it is even plausible in a month or two.
if a circuit that just flashes the LEDs is enough, then I will be able to offer them for sale fairly quickly(a month or so). If the consensus if light up everything, I will have to go back to the drawing board.
Would fiber optics or other LEDs for the clear section instead of the GOW bulbs be sufficient?
Post below and let me know what you think.
Thanks,
JC
 
This is great JC!....Im fine w/ the Red blinking LED's myself(y)..Thanks for putting this together and cant wait to get mine in hand!!!
 
For me, I'm mostly trying to strive for accuracy with my helmet and hoped to have a fully "functional" RF with the two blinking lights and illuminated perspex, preferably with GoW bulbs. I'm also using a Honeywell microswitch and may use a servo, though I know that is a divergence from the original. Anyway, what sort of work/modding would you need to do? I'm using Mojo's metal ears, which accomodates a microswitch, so that's not a huge issue in my case.
 
So like I was saying the GMH ear has a spot for the microswitch...so that issue shouldnt be a problem when you are selling them to people with said helmet if they order that option they should be aware they need that hole. Id go with an LED for the white light...if you even do a light....I dont think its super needed as the red lights are what the people see.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I think that I will try out the micro switch set up and decide if I want to sell kits or not. If most people just want the red flashing LEDs, then that is what the TF kit will be. I'm just concerned about how much people would have to do themselves, like install the micro switch and run the wires to the switch and up the stalk and connect everything up. It's not that I don't think people can do it, I am just wondering how much people will expect me to do to get the lit working in their helmet.
 
I'm satisfied with just a couple blinking red LED's on the front/top of the RF. A SMALL white or green LED on the perspex side would be all that I ever need. It's gonna be tough enough to see out the helmet, and a blinding LED in the rangefinder won't be doing anyone with the helmet on any favors. :D
 
The Perspex side doesn't blink, just the two red ones. I'm going to try looking for less powerful GOW bulbs and friend of mine has some fiber optics so I might try those too. If I could find some 3v with low amp draw GOW bulbs, I would be all set. I'm going to be building more kits this weekend so I will do some experimenting, maybe I will come up with something.
 
I very well could be in the minority but the issue of switch and battery placement is not a big deal for me. I don't mind finding a way to mount the battery inside the helmet and the GMH ears have a place for the microswitch. So in my case, there wouldn't be much of a need to find lower amp bulbs or bulb alternatives. I think my interest would be fairly limited if I couldn't have the illuminated perspex.
 
My original design uses the GOW bulbs, so the circuit for those is mostly finished. I'm just wondering how much of putting the kit together a buyer of the kit should expect. If the GOWs are used, they would have to run wires up the stalk, solder them to the rf board and the switch and run wires to the battery holder. I think that if I could come up with something that wasn't too complex, it would be very popular. I'm just concerned about making a kit that no one wants to install because its too difficult. If anyone has an extra set of GMH ears laying around, let me know. I could use some to help in the R&D of this kit.
 
If you do the complete kit (with 2 red LEDs and 3 clear GoW lamps) you should also include some instructions on how to install and wire the whole thing and I'm sure that most of the customers will do these by themselves.
And why is this global hunger for green (and sometimes blue) light as an alternative for the perspex light? Why not pink or yellow? ...How about accurate?
 
Pink,lol. I just like the look of the green, but I do make an Asok kit with a white led.
 
Im in talks with Asok to get a GMH ear piece with the space for the micro switch, so if I get one of those I should be able to come up with something. I will let everyone know how this progresses.
 
Thanks F4R, when I get the ear pieces, I will start trying things out.
 
He is sending me one and so is Chris. I will have my work cut out for me designing kits.
 
UPDATE
The TF rangefinder board is just about finished. Once I get the GMH ear piece and the micro switch, which I will be ordering this weekend, all I will need to build a mock up is a hollow stalk. So if anyone has an extra hollow stalk they aren't using, send me a PM.

I am trying to make this kit as easy as possible to install in the helmet, and I found a way to leave all of the soldering to me and the buyer will only have to do a couple of wire splices with solder free wire nuts. Once I get everything figured out, I will update this thread.
 
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