How I modified my Blade MCX2 Navigation Lights so I could see it better at night.

Negative Skating comments! Many can't skate! Even more can't fly Nitro helis, let alone both at the same time and in the dark! That intro pic was in 1982, 29 years ago! Without my steady lights, I would not have tried it back then. I say with helis, we need all the help we can get. I still skate every week at almost 63 for it is good for coordination and health. I even fly in the rink while skating.
For reference, see my Night Flying article in Feb, 1991 Model Airplane news magazine. When I wrote this, it was brand new and here you will see the first article ever written on night-flying and the do's and don'ts. "If you can't see it, you can't fly it!." Same in Daylight and Night. Flying Christmas trees are pretty to the spectator but can be nerve wracking for the pilot. After all....what could go wrong?

Many people even lose their airplanes and helis in the daylight, due to disorientation, so you see my point. Actually it is easier to see the planes at night with the colored wing tips.

Steady Navigation lights (Non Blinking) makes it easier and safer to see the machine, no matter what the attitude of the plane.

Having flown for over 30 years in the dark, I know what is easier and not so intense on the pilot, especially with the .40 and .60 size nitro airplanes that are a handful to follow in the day, let alone night.

So you all can do what you want, but for those who see the logical side, this is simply a way to do it yourself.

Also, since electrons flow from negative to positive, that is the reason why the orange ground wire must be cut. It is the wire sending "blinks", not the positive!

Thanks for watching and happy flying.

Best regards,
~NightFlyyer~ Dave Herbert
AMA #8221
Leader Member
Contest Director
Scientific division.

For more info on Blade helicopters see:
http://www.HorizonHobbies.com

Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)
http://www.modelaircraft.org

Disney Toy Store
http://www.dpbolvw.net/d7108p-85-7NRQRTOQUNPOUWQPQX

WillyGoat Toy store
http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3235026-10525785

RC-Television
http://www.rc-television.org

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[ky854run]

Hi Dave,

I agree with you, that the steady lights look better and are easier to see.

I don't have an MCX2, so I can't verify this. But, it looks like you could have just moved the orange wire to the open spot on the original connector to do this modification.

[NightFlyyer]

@ky854run Thanks. Cant do that. The ground is the blinker so no pins would work. They still blinked.

[NIGHTMARExNINGA]

i just successfully completed this mod and love it... but i noticed that when i change my battery it is warmer than usuall is this a potential problem?

[NightFlyyer]

@NIGHTMARExNI All lipos get warm. After I fly my jets or big helis the batteries are actually hot. Not to worry. I still get a good 8 minutes of flying time with no problems. I skated at the rink last night and flew it alot, along with my flying truck and all is well. I have lots of extra batteries too. Thanks. Go fly and have fun.

[betamax01]

Yup, done. Just move the orange wire across! Great mod, thanks!

[awb74]

pretty sweet. glad i read the comments to see that i just had to move the connector the open pin. no soldering! maybe this is only on more recent models? either way, so much better night flying with the solid lights!

[44marshmellow]

Dave you are awsome! thanks!!!

[sproutit1]

Dave, Are you a "Real" pilot? You make wonderful videos and I appriechiate all you help. I think I might want to get one of these is the MCX2 Worth it over the MCX?

[Tsnow67]

@Superbiggie85: The plug on mine is also on the left side. I just moved the orange wire as others have suggested and it works perfect. All you need is a very small precision screwdriver to lift the tab on the orange wire. I have noticed that the author has not responded to any comments for quite some time so I hope is all well with him.

[rcrules14]

is the mcx2 worth the extra $30 dollars

[zarcon42]

damn that nice mod..wish i had the balls to do it to mine lol

[11KAB11]

Hello Dave I have a problem with my Blade MCX2. I can fly it for about 1-2 mins and than after that every 15 seconds it dies out and slowly falls to the ground. Than I can fly up again and it falls to the ground after about the same 15 seconds. I think it might be the battery but I have barely used my MCX2, so I don't see why the battery's could be burnt out.

[SuperBiggie85]

Hi, I am new to Rc helicopters. Ive been flying my Mcx2 for 4 days now. Love it!! I noticed the LED harness plugs into the right side of your board. My harness is on the left side. I am wondering if its a new board or something like that. I bought the helicopter new. I am confused haha. Also are there any other mods for Mcx2 besides lights and tail boom upgrades? thanks.

[pentiumdoz]

@ky854run hi i have the mcx2 but the lights connector is soldered in the same spot but reversed maybe a circuit board revision and i moved the orange wire to the open spot on the connector and the light is steady, thanks this video help me a lot.