LED NAV/Strobe Light Review

[Ragsf15e]

Hello Everyone - 

 

I know this has been discussed in other forums, but I can't find anything recent... I'm not searching very well apparently.

 

Anyway, I know some folks have been looking to modify their lighting to LEDs.  I bought my M20F 6 months ago and the previous owner had a field approval -337 for AeroLED lights on the wingtips and tail.  They are awesome.  Very bright, don't draw any power, last forever, good warranty, and good customer service.  Reading the paperwork, I think they are made by Aviat, but marketed by AeroLED.

 

The wintip lights have white strobes and red/green nav lights combined.  The tail light has white/strobe.

 

At the same time he had the LEDs installed, he had the beacon removed (that's good for 1 knot, right?).

 

They are available on Spruce or direct (I think).  Yes, they are expensive, but I am glad I have them.  The company is in Idaho and I've had to talk to them twice.  They have a 5 year, 50,000 hour warranty.  Unfortunately, one of mine had some kind of leak in it and got a bunch of water in it after an IFR flight.  It still worked, but I sent them a photo from my phone and they shipped me a new light with no questions asked.  Easy.

 

Anyway, I'll attach a picture (it's the one with the water in it).  Let me know if you have any questions.

 

I also have the Whelen LED landing light which is equally good.

 

Drew

[Wakeup]

How much $$ are we talking about ? I have a M20B. Thanks Troy

[Ragsf15e]

Lots (thank god the previous guy did it).

 

Spruce has them for approx $900/wingtip light and $500 for the tail.  Ouch.

[Houman]

I would think the landing light would be the 1st one I would do, have heard it lights up the runway for those late night landing after a long trip.

[LANCECASPER]

The last airplane (Encore) I had I replaced two landing lights with Aero LED LX- huge difference from the GE - was very satisfied.

 

On current airplane (Ovation 2) it had stock lights so I just recently compared Aero LED  to the Teledyne Alphabeam and I like the Alphabeams better.  I bought four of them from Spruce - they discounted to about $255 each. Either the Aero LED or the Alphabeam are great if you are going into an airport at night that is not very well lit. This is a safety upgrade - you can leave them on all the time for recognition lights with their low current draw and long life. I never use my wingtip recognition lights any more (they are prone to melting the lenses they get so hot).

[ArtVandelay]

I never use my wingtip recognition lights any more (they are prone to melting the lenses they get so hot).

You can wigwag the recognition lights, this will prevent melting because they aren't on continuously, plus drop the current draw by half, and you can use them in the clouds at night.