Light system options?

[SmallHaul]

Maybe i just couldn't find it but, i didn't see a light kit thread...

i am overhauling another Wedico loader for someone and he would like a light kit installed so that it has brake lights and back up lights.

We tried the rc4wd/smart light kit and the headlights turn off when you back up and the tail lights go out when you forward...i.e. not good..

Any ideas for a nice light system?

[woodhog]

I had emailed r/c lites once and they told me that they could configure one of their kits for a semi,so I would think that they could configure one for the loader. Sorry I done have a link but hope the info helps

[SonoranWraith]

Check CTI (http://www.cti-modellbau.de) modules. AFV carries them.

[SmallHaul]

I had emailed r/c lites once and they told me that they could configure one of their kits for a semi,so I would think that they could configure one for the loader. Sorry I done have a link but hope the info helps

Thanks Woodhog, i just looked at there web site and it looks like they might have what we need.

Check CTI (http://www.cti-modellbau.de) modules. AFV carries them.

Thanks for the info SonoranWraith, It looks like the CTI stuff is good but, without clear english info on what each device can and can't do i wouldn't want to guess that i am ordering the right device, that does the right thing.

[apfubar]

Ihave some experience wit the cti devices as they are in my excavator(lights) and in one of my trucks(controlling lights and relay for a pump motor).

They can have up to four outputs, each toggled on/off by a single channel.

Cheers,
AP

[doodlebug]

Check CTI (http://www.cti-modellbau.de) modules. AFV carries them.

Am I understanding, that they have Bruder conversion part's?
Cheer's, Neil.

[SmallHaul]

Looking at all of these lighting systems i am surprised at how hard it is to find these options.

1)Headlights stay on
2)Taillights dim and bright when brake applied and turn off when reversing.
3) reverse light that comes on when backing up

i will call rc-lights and see if this unit does what we need for a loader:

http://www.rc-lights.com/products/RCL5053.html

[Tp_hofmann]

I changed the original wedico electronic to servonaut.

S20 with rear and brake lights in conjunction with a ml4 do the job now :-)

Br,
Tom

[Sentinel]

Have a look at the HeyOk lighting controllers that RC4WD are now selling.

http://store.rc4wd.com/Brake-Reverse-and-Driving-Light-controller_p_3131.html

This particular one has several outputs, you can have an always on for headlights, a switched output for driving lights that comes on with forward throttle, the tail lights are dim while driving and are always bright for brake lights with the throttle in the neutral position, and with reverse throttle the reverse lights come on.

You could always just ditch the switched front output and you have always on headlights and tails, with switched brake and reverse.

They've recently started selling their products and they have a few different options for lighting modules.

[SmallHaul]

There is a small unit that also has sound that will do all of what you want + indicators and can be configured that when it is not moving the brake light stays on.
It is called a Turbo9
http://9rc.com/9turbo/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Cheers Chris

We are already using servonaut for sound but, that does look like an interesting option.

I changed the original wedico electronic to servonaut.

S20 with rear and brake lights in conjunction with a ml4 do the job now :-)

Br,
Tom

We are using SMX and already have all of the control functions mixed to control the sound. So, with your setup do you still have the beeper sound when backing up and do you have all of your stick movements mixed to sound? That would be great to have the back up beeper.

Have a look at the HeyOk lighting controllers that RC4WD are now selling.

http://store.rc4wd.com/Brake-Reverse-and-Driving-Light-controller_p_3131.html

This particular one has several outputs, you can have an always on for headlights, a switched output for driving lights that comes on with forward throttle, the tail lights are dim while driving and are always bright for brake lights with the throttle in the neutral position, and with reverse throttle the reverse lights come on.

You could always just ditch the switched front output and you have always on headlights and tails, with switched brake and reverse.

They've recently started selling their products and they have a few different options for lighting modules.

That looks like a nice system and it seems to do everything we need.

[SmallHaul]

Hi Smallhual.

I have just ordered some of these from Hobbyking. I have no idea what there like but the price is good.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__19816__Hobbyking_Scale_Car_LED_Light_system_Adva nced.html?strSearch=led%20car

Regards Ralph

i didn't see how you program it but, the video they show just cycles through a bunch of "flashing" sequence choices. Not sure what the set up options are.

[Pippoe]

Hi,

I used this one on one of my builds (sorry.. the page is in German..). It's tiny, but works great:

brake/reverse-switch (http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Schaltmodule/-154-235.html)

They have a new model that includes a beeper now..

Beeper thingie (http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Schaltmodule/B-R-Piep-Schaltmodul-Brems--und-Rueckfahrlicht-mit-akustischer-Rueckfahrwarnung.html)

Here's the vid of it in my Jero:

http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad326/pippoe/Pajero/th_Light_Test_final.jpg (http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad326/pippoe/Pajero/Light_Test_final.mp4)

(I used the reverse module in combination with this module here:

turn signals and lights (http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Schaltmodule/PS4bT-Blink--Schaltmodul-4-fach.html)

..this one switches turn signals and lights).

Cheers

Pip

[SmallHaul]

Hi,

I used this one on one of my builds (sorry.. the page is in German..). It's tiny, but works great:

brake/reverse-switch (http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Schaltmodule/-154-235.html)

They have a new model that includes a beeper now..

Beeper thingie (http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Schaltmodule/B-R-Piep-Schaltmodul-Brems--und-Rueckfahrlicht-mit-akustischer-Rueckfahrwarnung.html)

Here's the vid of it in my Jero:

http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad326/pippoe/Pajero/th_Light_Test_final.jpg (http://i948.photobucket.com/albums/ad326/pippoe/Pajero/Light_Test_final.mp4)

(I used the reverse module in combination with this module here:

turn signals and lights (http://www.cti-modellbau.de/CTI-Schaltmodule/PS4bT-Blink--Schaltmodul-4-fach.html)

..this one switches turn signals and lights).

Cheers

Pip

That light system works great and your Pajero is very nice!

[Tp_hofmann]

...

We are using SMX and already have all of the control functions mixed to control the sound. So, with your setup do you still have the beeper sound when backing up and do you have all of your stick movements mixed to sound? That would be great to have the back up beeper.

...

I dont use sound in the cat.smx&s20 can be combined and the rear beeper will work.

For the stick movements: do you refer to the valve movements ?

Br,
Tom

[SmallHaul]

I dont use sound in the cat.smx&s20 can be combined and the rear beeper will work.

For the stick movements: do you refer to the valve movements ?

Br,
Tom

Tom,

i like to have all of the engine rev anytime work is done so, if i have enough mixes available i mix everything to command the sound.

i just overhauled this machine for someone and all i need to do is figure out which light system we are going with so that i can clean up the wiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fX5O2wond4

[egronvold]

For the loader I recommend Servonaut S20 and ML4, in addittion to the SMX. Several guys use thet combo here in Norway and it will give you all the functions you're mentioning.

[SmallHaul]

For the loader I recommend Servonaut S20 and ML4, in addittion to the SMX. Several guys use thet combo here in Norway and it will give you all the functions you're mentioning.

Thank you very much for this information. This is probably the route we will go then.

[rson123]

Very nice, can you provide links to the site that sells them please?

For the loader I recommend Servonaut S20 and ML4, in addittion to the SMX. Several guys use thet combo here in Norway and it will give you all the functions you're mentioning.

[Espeefan]

Tom,

i like to have all of the engine rev anytime work is done so, if i have enough mixes available i mix everything to command the sound.

i just overhauled this machine for someone and all i need to do is figure out which light system we are going with so that i can clean up the wiring.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fX5O2wond4

Scott, I don't think any operator, or 1:1 machine would be on the job very long, with direction changes taking place without idling the engine down first. It seems less realistic to me with the RPMs running up when cycling the hydraulics.

[SmallHaul]

Scott, I don't think any operator, or 1:1 machine would be on the job very long, with direction changes taking place without idling the engine down first. It seems less realistic to me with the RPMs running up when cycling the hydraulics.

Nathan,

Here is a vid of a full scale 996G, turn up your speakers and notice how much it throttles up just turning:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtlYjiBTukw

and this how i set up an RC 996G:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmTSjSnnCAY

Much more realistic than just having the drive run the sound IMHO.

[SmallHaul]

Nathan, i just watched more front end loader videos and i see what you mean about going to idle when you change directions... so, you would only mix the sound to the drive? What if you run the lift or turn when you are not moving, would the engine speed up on a full scale machine?

[Espeefan]

Scott, yes, I would suggest you mix the sound unit in with the drive motor ESC throttle channel, and not with the hydraulic valve channels. The 1:1 wheel loaders have a foot throttle and a good operator will lift off the throttle completely, and wait until the machine is at a complete, or near stop before changing directions. It might be misleading to think the operator is on the throttle to speed up the hydraulic pump for lifting or steering, when in fact that is simply the torque converter slipping, while the engine RPMs come back up. Depending on what gear the operator is in, there might be more, or less lag, from the point when you hear the engine rev and to the point that translates into the wheels turning.

The hydraulic pumps still put out good flow at idle, so the bucket will lift and the loader will steer just fine (although a bit slower at that point), when the operator is off the throttle, but when you watch a wheel loader at work, there really isn't much time that the engine isn't running at a higher speed, except for when the machine comes to a complete stop. At that point, the loss of bucket cycle speed is minimal, especially considering the operator will be back on the throttle very soon. When dumping a full bucket at stop (bucket already raised up), not a lot of flow is needed to tip the weight. Bucket 'dig in', is usually done under power, as the operator is pushing pretty hard into the pile, with the engine RPMs up, even if the wheels aren't spinning. The torque converter may be slipping at that point, especially in the higher gears. Efficient operators will already have the bucket raised by the time they get to the truck, while the machine is backing away from the pile, changing directions, and then approaching the truck; engine running at elevated throttle through that process. So I've not known any operators to rev the engine while cycling the bucket with the machine at a stop, unless they are lifting something so heavy that the hydraulic pump can't put out enough pressure or flow to raise the weight.

I know this is long winded, and I apologize, but long story short, I would not tie the hydraulic valve channels into the sound unit for this reason. :D

[rson123]

There is a small unit that also has sound that will do all of what you want + indicators and can be configured that when it is not moving the brake light stays on.
It is called a Turbo9
http://9rc.com/9turbo/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Cheers Chris

Hi Chris, do you happen to know if an Electronic Speed Control (ESC) is required for all the functions to work properly?

My RC Excavator ( Bruder Cat conversion, no hydraulics) is powered by a 3S Lipo battery plugged directly into the Receiver with an inline uBEC to protect it. No motors. Everything is powered by servos, including the tracks.

Thanks, Rodney

[SmallHaul]

Scott, yes, I would suggest you mix the sound unit in with the drive motor ESC throttle channel, and not with the hydraulic valve channels. The 1:1 wheel loaders have a foot throttle and a good operator will lift off the throttle completely, and wait until the machine is at a complete, or near stop before changing directions. It might be misleading to think the operator is on the throttle to speed up the hydraulic pump for lifting or steering, when in fact that is simply the torque converter slipping, while the engine RPMs come back up. Depending on what gear the operator is in, there might be more, or less lag, from the point when you hear the engine rev and to the point that translates into the wheels turning.

The hydraulic pumps still put out good flow at idle, so the bucket will lift and the loader will steer just fine (although a bit slower at that point), when the operator is off the throttle, but when you watch a wheel loader at work, there really isn't much time that the engine isn't running at a higher speed, except for when the machine comes to a complete stop. At that point, the loss of bucket cycle speed is minimal, especially considering the operator will be back on the throttle very soon. When dumping a full bucket at stop (bucket already raised up), not a lot of flow is needed to tip the weight. Bucket 'dig in', is usually done under power, as the operator is pushing pretty hard into the pile, with the engine RPMs up, even if the wheels aren't spinning. The torque converter may be slipping at that point, especially in the higher gears. Efficient operators will already have the bucket raised by the time they get to the truck, while the machine is backing away from the pile, changing directions, and then approaching the truck; engine running at elevated throttle through that process. So I've not known any operators to rev the engine while cycling the bucket with the machine at a stop, unless they are lifting something so heavy that the hydraulic pump can't put out enough pressure or flow to raise the weight.

I know this is long winded, and I apologize, but long story short, I would not tie the hydraulic valve channels into the sound unit for this reason. :D

Nathan, thank You very much for all of that information. It is important to me to setup these machines as prototypical as possible so, i'll take all of the hydraulic to sound mixes off.

So...how about an excavator? How would you mix the sound? i have never operated a modern excavator.

[Espeefan]

Scott, excavators generally operate with the throttle set to the optimum rated engine speed for the best hydraulic performance. Since everything on an excavator is hydraulically driven, including the tracks and swing motor, there really isn't any need for the engine to idle down, unless the operator wants to run it slower for more precise operations that don't require a lot of hydraulic force and speed, like laying pipe or something similar.

The way that I would mix the sound on a model would be with the pump motor channel, or on a separate channel with a toggle switch or knob, so the engine speed could be controlled by the operator. Simply put, if the pump is running, the engine sound should be at an elevated RPM.

This could get a little tricky if you are one of the guys who likes to mix the pump speed with the valves and stick movement, throttling back the pump motor to conserve power when you aren't using the hydraulic functions. If the sound unit is mixed to the pump motor, then the engine RPMs would fall off when the hydraulic sticks are in neutral, which may not be as realistic. Having the sound mixed to a separate channel would allow the operator to have direct control over the engine RPM, and yet the pump can go idle when the sticks are at neutral (in example when you swing the base but don't need to position the boom, stick, or bucket) and the machine will still sound right. Likewise, when using the tracks and traveling.

[SmallHaul]

Scott, excavators generally operate with the throttle set to the optimum rated engine speed for the best hydraulic performance. Since everything on an excavator is hydraulically driven, including the tracks and swing motor, there really isn't any need for the engine to idle down, unless the operator wants to run it slower for more precise operations that don't require a lot of hydraulic force and speed, like laying pipe or something similar.

The way that I would mix the sound on a model would be with the pump motor channel, or on a separate channel with a toggle switch or knob, so the engine speed could be controlled by the operator. Simply put, if the pump is running, the engine sound should be at an elevated RPM.

This could get a little tricky if you are one of the guys who likes to mix the pump speed with the valves and stick movement, throttling back the pump motor to conserve power when you aren't using the hydraulic functions. If the sound unit is mixed to the pump motor, then the engine RPMs would fall off when the hydraulic sticks are in neutral, which may not be as realistic. Having the sound mixed to a separate channel would allow the operator to have direct control over the engine RPM, and yet the pump can go idle when the sticks are at neutral (in example when you swing the base but don't need to position the boom, stick, or bucket) and the machine will still sound right. Likewise, when using the tracks and traveling.

Putting the sound control on a knob for an excavator seems like a good idea, i'll have to try that on the next machine. Thanks Nathan.

[apfubar]

You could try using a three position switch for the mixing the sound:
Pos1 - sound off
Pos2 - pump speed drives sound channel
Pos3 - knob drives sound channel

Cheers,
AP

[astecme]

You can do all that with the BEIER sound system. does the lights as well and sequences for servo's or sound and light etc.

[Brel]

Have a look at the HeyOk lighting controllers that RC4WD are now selling.

http://store.rc4wd.com/Brake-Reverse-and-Driving-Light-controller_p_3131.html

This particular one has several outputs, you can have an always on for headlights, a switched output for driving lights that comes on with forward throttle, the tail lights are dim while driving and are always bright for brake lights with the throttle in the neutral position, and with reverse throttle the reverse lights come on.

You could always just ditch the switched front output and you have always on headlights and tails, with switched brake and reverse.

They've recently started selling their products and they have a few different options for lighting modules.

I am getting one of these units to power the reversing and brake lights on my Robbe Linde H50 FLT

[Blender]

Has anyone experimented with an Arduino to control lighting? It does require direct programming, but there are tons of tutorials and source codes available.

arduino micro (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardMicro)

[SmallHaul]

There is a small unit that also has sound that will do all of what you want + indicators and can be configured that when it is not moving the brake light stays on.
It is called a Turbo9
http://9rc.com/9turbo/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=1

Cheers Chris

Thanks Chris.

i have used the 9turbo system on a few trucks now (but, using servonaut for the sound)

Rebuilt Wedico rig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYuJazIlx08

Trailer and rig

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSrcxJBN8uU

i don't use the sound system because it has a separate idle and acceleration file so, it sounds wrong to me but, it is worth it for the light control to me and people i have built machines for.

What is cool is there are two auxiliary light outputs and only one extra channel is required to run it.

i will try more sound and light kits soon.

[thebat]

how good is the 9turbo sound unit sound wise for engine and horn thanks.

[SmallHaul]

how good is the 9turbo sound unit sound wise for engine and horn thanks.

Not good..there is one sound file for idle and another for the revving so, when you give the vehicle throttle it sounds like a different engine from when it was at idle.