PIREP - New Whelen Parmetheus Plus Super PAR 46 landing light

[Flymac]

We just purchased the parmetheus plus, first go of the installation with minimal messing around with the adjustment screws resulted in the light pointing far too high/upward...we have the cowl off for annual so going round 2 on adjustment...im not sure how standard these are across the cowls, but it seems to me:

1. The position of the 3 holes drilled through the retaining ring as well as where those are drilled through the pocket really set the angle and position of the light pressed up against it...the 3 "adjustment" screws behind the light really just help press/secure the light up against that ring snug.

luckily, someone in the past drilled a hole further forward for the top retaining ring hole that i moved to while cranking in the adjustment screw all the way in behind it...now however the 2 lower retaining holes of course are too far behind the ring thats angled further forward...screw heads are already against the lip of the ring to try and drill any lower, of course dont want to drill more holes in the cowl.

did anyone else have to screw around with this or is there a better option for more adjustment?

[carusoam]

Looking at the back of your bottom photo reminds me how I adjusted my C's...

It looks like one screw is stationary and the other two attempt to add adjustment slightly up/down and slightly left/right.  I used the hangar accross from my tie-down to aim my light.

Test it before it gets really dark.  My aim was a bit off leading to a slight crab or slip to aim the single bulb at the numbers while landing.  Probably another reason I use a mechanic to take care of even simple maintenance items.  Even the simple ones just aren't that simple.

Best regards,

-a-

 

[Hank]

I'll take some pics of the install in my C this weekend. Don't recall it being difficult, other than getting the screws back into the ring.

[Raptor05121]

Does anyone have any before and after pics? The PAR46 is the brightest halogen landing lamp I've ever seen on any plane I've flown, it lights up about two hangars wide, top to bottom.

[Hedge]

I got this bulb this fall and I use it all the time, but when I land, it is foggy.  So I am not sure that they are vacuum sealed.  And if they are supposed to be, mine has a small leak.  :).

 

The light is very bright and it does make a big difference landing at night.  My old light, I could barely see anything, but now I can see the numbers from a long ways out and that does make depth much easier.

[milotron]

Can the LED replacement lamps be installed by an Owner or is an STC or similar paperwork, and installation by an AME required?  I am in Canada, but I imagine the rules are similar.  The LED is a great upgrade especially being able to run them all the time.

[Seth]

On October 28, 2015 at 2:03 PM, carqwik said:

Just ordered the Whelen PAR36 Plus lights...from Knots2U.  $233 each.  Thanks for the report.  

Think about the AeroLEDs par36 bulb.  Either the HX or LX, whichever one is more expensive also has a built in pulse feature by simply adding a third wire.  I have one on a three way switch - on-off-pulse.

 

The AeroLED was brighter than the original Whelen, especially the PAR 36, but I'm not sure about the new one.

 

-Seth

[ArtVandelay]

2 hours ago, Seth said:

Think about the AeroLEDs par36 bulb.  Either the HX or LX, whichever one is more expensive also has a built in pulse feature by simply adding a third wire.  I have one on a three way switch - on-off-pulse.

 

The AeroLED was brighter than the original Whelen, especially the PAR 36, but I'm not sure about the new one.

 

-Seth

For an extra $100, they should be. Most of us with the 36 bulbs have the dual wing mounted landing,taxi lights...4 lights gives pretty good coverage.