yellow cracked wing tip strobe lens replacement?

[Vref]

Getting into the smaller stuff now ..;-)
I am looking to replace my cracked an totally yellowed wing tip strobe lenses... The maintenance manual/ipc  is not clear about this and when looking into the whelen catalog didn't help much neither..

 where to find this.. i don't think its a whelen part....?

When looking on pictures on the internet it seems to be an illness if this type of lenses

My J had the wing tips added later so I believe it must be an earlier version before mooney used Whelen strobes..

Maybe I am wrong...

Much appreciated to recieve some feedback or hints

rgds
Luc

[piperpainter]

But the new LED all in one strobes! They wont have to be replaced!!

[Vref]

yess sure but I am living in EASA country (hell) !"£$%^^&&***.....if there is an FAA STC you can bet it will take five years before there is an EASA STC for the same thing....if ever...

PS I am looking at the egg- clear lens replacement only my hoskins are still OK I hope

[MARZ]

Picture of the lens?  

If it's just yellowed you may want to try a headlight refurbisment kit from the auto parts store.  I bought a kit by mothers wax and buffed out just about all the micro scratches on my side windows. 

[OR75]

Luc

I went through the same exercise ....

I am thinking your J has a serial number somewhere between 24-0024 and 24-1037

the lens is made of plastic and is Mooney part 202816. If you have a parts catalog, it will be in section 57-20-00.

You will not find a Whelen part number beacause Wheelen does not make that part.  The Wheelen STC that for the A650 system includes all similar "flat wing tip" models but does not include the J.  I will let you decide why it is that way.    Only Mooney makes it.  Please, don't pass out at the price for a small piece of plastic.

You would nee a field approval to install the A650 system.

If you look at early Js, you will see that their lens is always opaque, ocre looking and cracked.  If / when you change the lens, it will become opaque very quickly ... fun ...!!! So might as well order a few in advance.

I saw once a Mooney that has that exact lens made of glass and I wish the owner was near so I could ask him how did he get a glass lens replacement. I was never able to find one.

Sorry for using a bit sarcastic tone today. 

 

 

 

       

  

[Vref]

OR75, thanks for the detailed reply yes my serial is 24-0586 my intuition sensed there was something fischy with these lenses......Looking at the quality I am not impressed...
Although Aveo engineering claim they will get EASA stc approval for the mooney, my experience is that things like that takes a year or two....
I will get back on this lens topic soon, ......

I am gathering information for alternative solutions. I am strong believer in LED technology but administration is slow in aviation

rgds

Luc

[Hank]

Have you thought about owner-manufactured parts? Or is that possible on your side of the water?

I have 201 wingtips, and had to replace the light cover from hangar rash. I bought it from LASAR, I think, for $135. Not bad for an airplane part, but then I had to trim it to fit, mark and drill the screw holes, etc. All $100 auto parts fit right out of the box. I could have one made nearby out of Lexan for much less, I'm sure. As our planes continue to age, that will probably become the only economically viable method to stay in the air.

[Vref]

Update on the lens today discussed this with some engineers who are working on my craft. I will use a part made in glass which is much stronger. It looks like some tail lights seem to have the same format  (scottisch aviation bulldog and some pipers) but in glass..and honestly the mooney part looks like crap!...If that does not work I will manufacture something myself... ..shhhhhhhhhhh...I hope buy the time my Hoskin flashboxes fall a part the LED's are STC'd for mooney's

[OR75]

Maybe the glass tail light lens that has the same format was the one I saw on that Mooney wingtip. Do you have a part number ? 

[Vref]

Quote: OR75

Maybe the glass tail light lens that has the same format was the one I saw on that Mooney wingtip. Do you have a part number ? 

[Mckipper]

If you are talking about the clear formed lens that conforms to the wingtip shape - I also had hangar rash and found this company Acrylform -in Cape Town South Africa.  No Website, but telephonic support is great and the ship worldwide - lenses are about $75.00, come slightly larger that needed and you sand the edges down to get a perfect fit ( done to accomodate the "add on" wingtips that some J's have)

 

acrylform@iafrica.com

Phone +2721-9489183

fax  +2721-9489183

 

I got excellent service from them.

[DaV8or]

I think he is looking for just the lens that covers the strobes on some older J models, not the clear plastic covering on the 231 style wing tip.

[steelerp]

I have a 77 J with the same issue.  I called the factory and (don't have my notes in front of me) believe the price was 285$.  But, this was for the entire assembly.  You could not just buy the lens cover.  Rick

[Vref]

Quote: steelerp

I have a 77 J with the same issue.  I called the factory and (don't have my notes in front of me) believe the price was 285$.  But, this was for the entire assembly.  You could not just buy the lens cover.  Rick

[Vref]

Quote: Mckipper

If you are talking about the clear formed lens that conforms to the wingtip shape - I also had hangar rash and found this company Acrylform -in Cape Town South Africa.  No Website, but telephonic support is great and the ship worldwide - lenses are about $75.00, come slightly larger that needed and you sand the edges down to get a perfect fit ( done to accomodate the "add on" wingtips that some J's have)

 

acrylform@iafrica.com

Phone +2721-9489183

fax  +2721-9489183

 

I got excellent service from them.