1975 Mooney M20F lightning uograde

[bjoseph604]

I would like to do an LED lighting upgrade to my 1975 Mooney M20F.  Landing light, position lights, and recognition lights.  I was wondering if anyone else has done this with Aero LED's and how difficult they are to install.  Thanks!  I have the single landing light on the cowl passenger side.

[Marauder]

I would like to do an LED lighting upgrade to my 1975 Mooney M20F.  Landing light, position lights, and recognition lights.  I was wondering if anyone else has done this with Aero LED's and how difficult they are to install.  Thanks!  I have the single landing light on the cowl passenger side.

I haven't done it with Aero LEDs, but I have purchased the Whelen LEDs for the position & recognition lights (Oshkosh pricing). I haven't had them installed yet but it appears the hardest part is adding the sync wire if I want it and finding someone with a small hand to get into the wing tip.

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[Marauder]

And, I do have the Whelen LED landing light. Really like it.

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[bjoseph604]

Can you tell me which Whelen landing light specifically that you purchased?  It seems like there are  few choices and I, not sure which one would best fit my airplane.  I could always call them but I like the info I get here.

[Bob_Belville]

9 minutes ago, bjoseph604 said:

Can you tell me which Whelen landing light specifically that you purchased?  It seems like there are  few choices and I, not sure which one would best fit my airplane.  I could always call them but I like the info I get here.

There is at least one excellent thread here from 2-5 years ago. Many A&Ps are willing to sign off on Whelan's  non-aviation, less expensive, lamps. 

FWIW, I installed both a flood and a spot in my old E. The first for taxi, the latter for landing/TO.

 

[Guitarmaster]

5 minutes ago, bjoseph604 said:

Can you tell me which Whelen landing light specifically that you purchased?  It seems like there are  few choices and I, not sure which one would best fit my airplane.  I could always call them but I like the info I get here.

Any PAR46 bulb will work.  I have the Whelan Prometheus.  I would rate it as bright as the incandescent, but no better.  However, it pulls 2.1A vs. 18A.  

Just walking around OSH, I think there are better (brighter) bulbs than the Whelan.  The plus model may be brighter.  They claim it is....

I installed the PSA paddle lamps in the existing fixtures and LOVE them (Let the LED debate begin!), but I already have strobes.  

One thing to note about the '75F: The "GEAR DN" light grounds through the bulbs.  When the nav lights are turned on, it chooses a different path and dims the light.  When you install LED in all three positions, the "GEAR DN" light will remain dim.  This is due to LED having infinite resistance and thereby lifting the ground.  To counter this, you need a shunt resistor installed in the light (or somewhere in the path).  I worked with Bob at PSA and developed a bulb with a built-in shunt resistor and it should be available in short order from them.  With those installed, the system works fine and draws a total of .7A vs 7.5A with the incandescent.  

Any place I can save amps, as most who live here can attest to, is a bonus for me.  Although, I am probably a little neurotic about it.

[Guitarmaster]

12 minutes ago, Bob_Belville said:

There is at least one excellent thread here from 2-5 years ago. Many A&Ps are willing to sign off on Whelan's  non-aviation, less expensive, lamps. 

FWIW, I installed both a flood and a spot in my old E. The first for taxi, the latter for landing/TO.

 

I am so jealous of your two landing lights!  

[bjoseph604]

me too!!

[Guitarmaster]

I should mention that I gained 39 KTAS by installing LED lighting.

[Marauder]

5 minutes ago, bjoseph604 said: Can you tell me which Whelen landing light specifically that you purchased?  It seems like there are  few choices and I, not sure which one would best fit my airplane.  I could always call them but I like the info I get here.

Any PAR46 bulb will work.  I have the Whelan Prometheus.  I would rate it as bright as the incandescent, but no better.  However, it pulls 2.1A vs. 18A.  

Just walking around OSH, I think there are better (brighter) bulbs than the Whelan.  The plus model may be brighter.  They claim it is....

I installed the PSA paddle lamps in the existing fixtures and LOVE them (Let the LED debate begin!), but I already have strobes.  

One thing to note about the '75F: The "GEAR DN" light grounds through the bulbs.  When the nav lights are turned on, it chooses a different path and dims the light.  When you install LED in all three positions, the "GEAR DN" light will remain dim.  This is due to LED having infinite resistance and thereby lifting the ground.  To counter this, you need a shunt resistor installed in the light (or somewhere in the path).  I worked with Bob at PSA and developed a bulb with a built-in shunt resistor and it should be available in short order from them.  With those installed, the system works fine and draws a total of .7A vs 7.5A with the incandescent.  

Any place I can save amps, as most who live here can attest to, is a bonus for me.  Although, I am probably a little neurotic about it.

That is good to know about the Gear indicator light. It affects just the panel light, correct? Not the floor indicator as well?

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[Marauder]

Ready to install.

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[bjoseph604]

5 minutes ago, Marauder said:

Ready to install.

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Thats what Im talking about.  Are you doing the install yourself or having someone else do it?  When it comes to electrical/wiring I get a little nervous.

[Marauder]

5 minutes ago, Marauder said: Ready to install.

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Thats what Im talking about.  Are you doing the install yourself or having someone else do it?  When it comes to electrical/wiring I get a little nervous.

Technically I think it requires an A&P or IA to sign off the work. I can certainly run wire with the best of them, but the required sign offs will hang me up.

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[Oscar Avalle]

Marauder, good luck. The install is easy. Be careful to make sure that the nav lights are on the right side... I mixed them up and just noticed it when I went flying at night! Ups...

 

[Guitarmaster]

5 minutes ago, bjoseph604 said: Can you tell me which Whelen landing light specifically that you purchased?  It seems like there are  few choices and I, not sure which one would best fit my airplane.  I could always call them but I like the info I get here.

Any PAR46 bulb will work.  I have the Whelan Prometheus.  I would rate it as bright as the incandescent, but no better.  However, it pulls 2.1A vs. 18A.   Just walking around OSH, I think there are better (brighter) bulbs than the Whelan.  The plus model may be brighter.  They claim it is....

I installed the PSA paddle lamps in the existing fixtures and LOVE them (Let the LED debate begin!), but I already have strobes.  

One thing to note about the '75F: The "GEAR DN" light grounds through the bulbs.  When the nav lights are turned on, it chooses a different path and dims the light.  When you install LED in all three positions, the "GEAR DN" light will remain dim.  This is due to LED having infinite resistance and thereby lifting the ground.  To counter this, you need a shunt resistor installed in the light (or somewhere in the path).  I worked with Bob at PSA and developed a bulb with a built-in shunt resistor and it should be available in short order from them.  With those installed, the system works fine and draws a total of .7A vs 7.5A with the incandescent.  

Any place I can save amps, as most who live here can attest to, is a bonus for me.  Although, I am probably a little neurotic about it.

That is good to know about the Gear indicator light. It affects just the panel light, correct? Not the floor indicator as well?

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That's correct.

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[TWinter]

5 hours ago, Marauder said:

Ready to install.

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Just add the 46HX (if you haven't already) and you will have it covered...broke, but well covered

 

-Tom

[Guitarmaster]

5 hours ago, Oscar Avalle said:

Marauder, good luck. The install is easy. Be careful to make sure that the nav lights are on the right side... I mixed them up and just noticed it when I went flying at night! Ups...

 

Bahahaha!   I did the SAME thing!  I stood there looking at it like a monkey doing a math problem, knowing something didn't look quite right but couldn't quite pin it down.  Of course, this was AFTER I had cleaned everything up and put everything away.  

[Yetti]

9 hours ago, Guitarmaster said:

I should mention that I gained 39 KTAS by installing LED lighting.

Not possible.  Only chrome can add speed or horsepower at those levels.

Port=left=4 letters= red

 

 

[Guitarmaster]

1 minute ago, Yetti said:

Not possible.  Only chrome can add speed or horsepower at those levels.

Port=left=4 letters= red

 

 

No, it's really true!  If you don't believe me just ask me!  
 

The reduction in amps = reduction in load on alternator and more horsepower.  If you multiply the HP gain by the Coriolis force during a full moon then add in the specific gravity of the battery, you an see it is easily achievable!

 

[Yetti]

Polished stall strips will add more speed than that.

[Raptor05121]

If price isn't a virtue and you want THE brightest LED PAR46, this is it. I spent several hours at Sun N Fun comparing the Whelen models...they are barely brighter than the stock light. This is hands down, the winner.

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/sunspot46lx.php?clickkey=362898

[jetdriven]

Dear god, its 650$.  That would buy a lot of the competitor's bulbs. Heck for another 250$ get the HID, its 750K candlepower.

[Hank]

Love the LED belly strobe. Lusting for the Nav lite/strobe combo for my wingtips . . . Parmetheus landing light works well, and is On all the time.

[bradp]

Left leaning cities have red light districts.  

That how I remeber. 

I love leaving my landing light in all the time now.  

[Marauder]

9 hours ago, Guitarmaster said: I should mention that I gained 39 KTAS by installing LED lighting.

Not possible.  Only chrome can add speed or horsepower at those levels.

Port=left=4 letters= red

 

 

I learned a different version of this.

Port has 4 letters, Port wine is red.

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