Landing light options

29 posts in this topic

Posted

Here is a video I took after wiring the landing lights up to the Crazed Pilot Controller and three position switch. 

11574404-9C1B-47E1-9CB6-17E4B379AED6.MOV

1 person likes this

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Was it those cheaper leds on amazon that you went with?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Yes, they were under $15 dollars shipped to the house. I’ll try them and decide if they stay on the plane or go into my John Deere Tractor 

44436099-6DB3-48DF-8E83-2F1F44FF3697.png

1 person likes this

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I couldn't get the video to play - So, what is your thoughts on the lights for landings?  EDMO

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I’m not really using them for landing lights as much as recognition lights. They are bright but I would say that if you really want to use them as landing lights to buy a spot light. I saw a pair of LED spot lights at Walmart today that were super bright. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I’ve been toying with the idea of making a set of Wingtip Lights out of LED stip lights. They are using these on boats for Nav Lights. They are now making super brite strip lights in all colors. A guy could make a set of Nav/Flashers out of these easily. 

6FC66F75-C858-4C91-8CEF-7A7B2ACC10D3.jpeg

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

Position or Nav Lights have to be approved by the FAA if you are actually doing night flights with properly equipped plane per FARs, but for just looks I guess you could use anything.  The bright recognition lights might just save your bacon someday.   Landing lights on small planes are never bright enough for me, but better than not seeing cow on the runway!  For Commercial training, I had to do night landings with no lights - I didn't care much for that - Army did that sometimes  too.  EDMO

Edited by EDMO
1 person likes this

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Here are two light from Walmart. They are high intensity LED’s. Super bright. 

Red and Green for position lights and the White hooked to a controller to strobe. 

I was thinking of making a wingtip mount out of aluminum bar. A guy could mill a radius on the back to form to the wingtip bow. The outside could be milled flat to make a track for these Strip LED lights to set in. A rivet on each end with 3M moulding adhesive tape between the rivets on the backside to keep the thing in place. 

These would just be for recognition lighting to help others see you better. 

Hmmm....

1956051C-CC13-4941-A2DA-20BC4C7DB9F4.jpeg

596E3532-E02D-4BD9-9936-474329E49A2E.jpeg

1 person likes this

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Vance email me that vid and I’ll upload it on my YouTube channel. I want to put some wig wag lights on the MK4.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

There you go Joey. Try that one. You are going to have to give me he video posting run down. I can’t seem to ever get them to load 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

There you go Joey. Try that one. You are going to have to give me he video posting run down. I can’t seem to ever get them to load 

The software won’t allow you to attach a video off your phone. You have to host it someplace and post a link. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Here is that video

 

2 people like this

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

I have a set of similar lights, but not used yet.  I think mine were advertised more as flood light beams, which should show at a wider angle than spot light beams - probably don't make much difference, since they are just as bright.  Another pilot assured me that they were great before I bought them.  I have a ShoMe police light controller for them.  I planned to mount them on the strut/spar fittings which are a drag area anyway.  Mine cost more - Guess I could sell them for $60 shipped with controller - might save someone a few $$ anyway?  EDMO

Edited by EDMO

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I burned up the Crazed Pilot Controller after I accidentally shorted one of the lights between the positive and negative. The controller only work steady on in all functions now. Guess I should have not been showing off to Joey. Another $26 down the drain. Guess I will be more careful with the next one 

:lmao:

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I can't help but believe the arrays of small lights are not the right way to go for a landing light. Small bulbs don't project far, and a lot of them will have lots of lumens on paper, but won't throw a concentrated beam very far.

One bright light with a big reflector behind it, of the same total lumens, should throw a spot that travels farther and stays concentrated.

 

As soon as I can I will post a picture of the 25W LED spots in action at night.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-4-7-CREE-LED-Work-Driving-Light-Spot-Beam-25W-Round-Cannon-Fog-Lamp-Jeep/262864495165?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I cant speak for others but I'm not using them for landing at night as my aircraft is not certified to do so. I am using them for recognition lights for safer operations around the airport and in the pattern.

  

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

The HID spotlights are probably the best, for those who have enough alternator output, but remember that you only need them on for a very short time if you don't have that much power.  Second might be the Aeroflash LED landing lights.  I think I read that LED lights can have a maximum (lumen?) distance of 800 feet, but don't know how bright they would be at that distance. 

I agree with Nick too, that one bright LED bulb might put out a more concentrated light than several smaller ones, but you cant compare WATTS used with LUMENS or Candlepower, so how do you know what they will do?

Those small multiple LED lights pictured above do make good recognition lights.  

Here is a battery powered $25? LED light that I have - I think it is 12K Lumens? - Anyway, I can brightly light up my neighbors back yard which is about 300 feet away.  It is a 9 LED CREE SolarStorm XT90.   And, I think some are brighter?  It also has a strobe function to scare away coyotes!   I just looked at ebay and there are Honda motorcycle  lights with 150K Lumens - I posted one below.  CREE makes the brightest LEDs I have found and sells them to other makers.  EDMO 

LIGHT.JPG

Edited by EDMO
1 person likes this

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

How about getting a Honda motorcycle headlight / spotlight and putting this bulb in it - 150,000 Lumens! 

HID boosts power to 1000 Watts, but current draw is (maybe?) somewhere around 6 - 8 amps at start, then reducing to half that.  

I may have seen Sylvania H7 HID bulbs with 250K Lumens, but not real sure about that.   EDMO

             

Picture Information

 
Image not available Photos not available for this variation <style type="text/css">.vi-hide-mImgThr {display: none;}</style><img id="icImg" class="img img400" itemprop="image" src="https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/IDoAAOSwyXNZ~Y4P/s-l400.jpg" style="" clk="" alt="1020W-153000LM-Motorcycle-Bike-LED-Headlight-Bulb-H4-9003-HB2-Hi-Lo-white-6000K" />
 
 
Have one to sell? Sell now
 
1020W 153000LM Motorcycle Bike LED Headlight Bulb H4 9003 HB2 Hi/Lo white 6000K
Seller :
99% Positive feedback

Item Information

Item condition:
New
 
 
Quantity:
Error icon
More than 10 available
 
Please enter a quantity of $qty_dummy$ or less Please enter a quantity of 1 Purchases are limited to $qty_dummy$ per buyer Please enter quantity of 1 or more Please enter a lower number Choose quantity that is less than $qty_dummy1$ or equal to $qty_dummy$ You can only choose quantity that is equal to $qty_dummy$
 
 
Was:
Original priceUS $71.89 What does this price mean?
What does this price mean?
Recent sales price provided by the seller
 
You save:
$35.94 (50% off)
 
Price:
Discounted price US $35.95
 
 
 
 
Edited by EDMO

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

https://youtu.be/fl_yYRlHAyo

Here is a follow up video to LED recognition lights on the cheap. Hope you find it useful. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

Just looked at the lights, and they look nice.  I also saw something else I thought I would mention.  If it was me, I would infill the seat truss with 1/4" or 3/8" plywood epoxied in place.  That will stiffen up the seat truss and was recommended by the factory.  Lots of Avid and Kitfox seat trusses have been bent on landings that didn't seem that hard.  (to me????)   ;-)   JImChuk

Edited by 1avidflyer

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

I’ve heard you guys mention his before. I suppose a good quality plywood like the rib material would work good for something like this. What kind of epoxy is used for this upgrade? 

Glad you like the lights. I have been looking at more light options and came upon these. They are a Flood and Spot combo light. They may be perfect for this application. 

Yodoko 7 Inch 60V 40W LED Work Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Driving Lights Fog Lamp Off-Road Lighting for SUV UTE ATV Truck Car,2 Years Warranty

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4S8PUR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tsGlAbAD6QJJH

Edited by NorthIdahoAvidflyer

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I’ve heard you guys mention his before. I suppose a good quality plywood like the rib material would work good for something like this. What kind of epoxy is used for this upgrade? 

Glad you like the lights. I have been looking at more light options and came upon these. They are a Flood and Spot combo light. They may be perfect for this application. 

Yodoko 7 Inch 60V 40W LED Work Light Bar Flood Spot Combo Driving Lights Fog Lamp Off-Road Lighting for SUV UTE ATV Truck Car,2 Years Warranty https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4S8PUR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_tsGlAbAD6QJJH

60V?  That address needs to be in blue for anyone to click on it.   EDMO

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

I would think most any kind of structural epoxy should work.  I've infilled mine with .040" steel, but the fuselage was uncovered at the time.  JImChuk

 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Try that EDMO.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Posted

Looks like the light will work with power sources between 9 and 60 Volts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!


Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.


Sign In Now