Tiny Whoop FPV Gate

thingiverse

I wanted a cheap LED Tiny whoop gate and came up with this solution for you. You can make an LED gate for around $8-$10. You will need: - A flexible LED strip, I used 3528 but 5050's would work too, such as https://banggood.com/5M-300-LEDs-SMD-3528-Flexible-LED-Strip-Light-Non-Waterproof-DC-12V-p-922277.html - Clear PVC food pipe with an inner diameter of 1.2 inches and an outer diameter of 1.5 inches, approximately 4.3 feet long per gate, for example https://www.ebay.com/itm/222789645286 - Two pieces of clear heat shrink tubing, each 10 inches long - Four M3 screws with a length of 0.8 inches - Four M3 nuts - Hot glue gun and glue sticks - An LED driver, you can use many different types but I like https://banggood.com/24-Key-Mini-IR-Remote-Controller-For-3528-5050-RGB-LED-Strip-Light-DC-12V-p-976062.html Here's how to assemble the gate: Cut the LED strip into sections, each between two solder pads. I cut mine into 7 sections per gate. Cut the pipe to length, approximately 4.3 feet long if you want to integrate the controller. Solder the controller directly to the tape and then hot glue it in place for protection. Feed the LED strip through the pipe and glue it in place at either end. I like to cut 8 sections of LED's and use the last section to pull it tight through the pipe. You may find using string makes feeding the LED's easier. Apply hot glue down the inside of the circle from roughly about 0.6 inches from either end up to about 10 inches, this will be used to secure the heat shrink to the hoop. Slide about 10 inches of clear heat shrink over either side of the hoop, this is needed to stop the hoop falling over when the temperature changes. Once the hot glue has dried use the screws, nuts and clamp to secure the hoop to the stand in the upright position. Lastly, shrink the heat shrink ensuring that the hot glue re-melts. Make sure you form the hoop to the shape you want. I would suggest checking it still works at each stage of assembly as sometimes you can pull the connections off. The heat shrink is an unfortunate requirement as the pipe changes temperature it becomes more flexible and will fall over time. With the heat shrink this doesn't happen. You may also be able to use thicker wall tubing to prevent this.