M20J LANDING LIGHT REVISITED

[joegoersch]

I gave up on the GE incandescent light several years ago.  Tried everything, but the cowl-mounted filament broke too often.  I switched to the Parmetheus  Par 46 LED bulb.  It still works well, but I still would like more light output--last night landed on a runway full of deer...I want the best taxi light possible.  Willing to pay a little extra if need be...one bulb on M20J use for taxi and landing.

Has anyone switched from the Parmetheus to the Parmetheus Plus ?  Any big difference ?  (Anyone want to buy my old Parmetheus ?  LEDs work forever...)

How about Aeroleds Sunspot 46 LX ?  Alphabeam II ?  Anyone using either ?  Thoughts ?

Anyone replace their recognition lights with LEDs ?  Does this help with taxiing ?  (When I bought plane, lenses were melted, I don't use the recognition lights for this reason)

One last question, mildly related.  Do you turn off your landing light before shutting down or leave them on until after mags off ?

 

Thanks !

Edited November 9, 2016 by joegoersch
addition

[Robert C.]

Aviation Consumer recommends the AeroLed Sunspot unless you really, really need HID lights.

http://www.aviationconsumer.com/issues/45_5/maintenancematters/HID-vs-LED-Brightness-Costs-Bucks_6750-1.html

[Zwaustin]

Lopresti boombeam is probably your brightest choice as long as it is one of the new ones and they make one for your model. 

Will cost a lot more than an LED bulb though

[ArtVandelay]

I wigwag the recognition lights to prevent melting.

[Andy95W]

1 hour ago, Robert C. said:

Aviation Consumer recommends the AeroLed Sunspot unless you really, really need HID lights.

http://www.aviationconsumer.com/issues/45_5/maintenancematters/HID-vs-LED-Brightness-Costs-Bucks_6750-1.html

Their test was before the availability of theWhelen Parmetheus "Plus" model.  I wonder how that one stacks up?

[Hank]

Since I put in the Whelen LED landing light, the only time I remember turning the switch Off was during the pitot static and transponder check (about an hour after turning on the master switch).

Right now, she's parked in the hangar, Master Off, Landing Light On. I will pull her out, turn Master On, check fuel selector, Press to Test, look around and turn the key. Yes, the low-draw LED landing light will be On the whole time. It's been that way since late April 2014. Great product! But then again, my last GE bulb hung in for several years--I only replaced it once between July 07 and April 14, and I do fly at night.

[joegoersch]

1 hour ago, Hank said:

Since I put in the Whelen LED landing light, the only time I remember turning the switch Off was during the pitot static and transponder check (about an hour after turning on the master switch).

Right now, she's parked in the hangar, Master Off, Landing Light On. I will pull her out, turn Master On, check fuel selector, Press to Test, look around and turn the key. Yes, the low-draw LED landing light will be On the whole time. It's been that way since late April 2014. Great product! But then again, my last GE bulb hung in for several years--I only replaced it once between July 07 and April 14, and I do fly at night.

thanks, i'm going to start doing the same.

[joegoersch]

1 hour ago, N1395W said:

Their test was before the availability of theWhelen Parmetheus "Plus" model.  I wonder how that one stacks up?

Yes.  I also wonder if the LED recognition lights would help with taxiing ???

[NotarPilot]

On 11/9/2016 at 1:44 PM, joegoersch said:

I gave up on the GE incandescent light several years ago.  Tried everything, but the cowl-mounted filament broke too often.  I switched to the Parmetheus  Par 46 LED bulb.  It still works well, but I still would like more light output--last night landed on a runway full of deer...I want the best taxi light possible.  Willing to pay a little extra if need be...one bulb on M20J use for taxi and landing.

Has anyone switched from the Parmetheus to the Parmetheus Plus ?  Any big difference ?  (Anyone want to buy my old Parmetheus ?  LEDs work forever...)

How about Aeroleds Sunspot 46 LX ?  Alphabeam II ?  Anyone using either ?  Thoughts ?

Anyone replace their recognition lights with LEDs ?  Does this help with taxiing ?  (When I bought plane, lenses were melted, I don't use the recognition lights for this reason)

One last question, mildly related.  Do you turn off your landing light before shutting down or leave them on until after mags off ?

 

Thanks !

Joe, I'm one of the few people who had a Parmetheus on my J installed back in 2012 and upgraded to the Parmetheus Plus last year when I went to Oshkosh (Gotta have the latest and greatest, right?). I did a side by side comparison before switching lights. The plus is a little brighter but the difference is small. If you're deciding between the two, get the plus. If you're thinking of upgrading from the Parmetheus to the plus I'd say save your money unless the small increase in brightness is really important to you. If you really want a bright drop in LED replacement I'd go with the Aeroleds Sunspot 46. That's your brightest option without dealing with the added hassle of installing an HID and having to concern yourself with the heat issues.

[joegoersch]

On ‎11‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 6:27 PM, NotarPilot said:

Joe, I'm one of the few people who had a Parmetheus on my J installed back in 2012 and upgraded to the Parmetheus Plus last year when I went to Oshkosh (Gotta have the latest and greatest, right?). I did a side by side comparison before switching lights. The plus is a little brighter but the difference is small. If you're deciding between the two, get the plus. If you're thinking of upgrading from the Parmetheus to the plus I'd say save your money unless the small increase in brightness is really important to you. If you really want a bright drop in LED replacement I'd go with the Aeroleds Sunspot 46. That's your brightest option without dealing with the added hassle of installing an HID and having to concern yourself with the heat issues.

Thanks, that's very helpful. 

My biggest problem is that it's hard to see unlit turnoffs at poorly lit airports.  I think having something better in the wingtips would be the best solution.  Maybe Xevision HID recognition lights, but I'd prefer more of a "drop-in" solution...I wonder if LED recognition lights would help in this regard or if I need to go all-in with the HIDs ???

[NotarPilot]

7 hours ago, joegoersch said:

Thanks, that's very helpful. 

My biggest problem is that it's hard to see unlit turnoffs at poorly lit airports.  I think having something better in the wingtips would be the best solution.  Maybe Xevision HID recognition lights, but I'd prefer more of a "drop-in" solution...I wonder if LED recognition lights would help in this regard or if I need to go all-in with the HIDs ???

I really can't help you with the recognition lights since I don't have them. I just know you have to be mindful of the heat on the plastic lens so LEDs are definitely the way to go there. If you're really concerned with brightness at dark airports I think you should bite the HID bullet.

[mooniac15u]

7 hours ago, joegoersch said:

Thanks, that's very helpful. 

My biggest problem is that it's hard to see unlit turnoffs at poorly lit airports.  I think having something better in the wingtips would be the best solution.  Maybe Xevision HID recognition lights, but I'd prefer more of a "drop-in" solution...I wonder if LED recognition lights would help in this regard or if I need to go all-in with the HIDs ???

https://www.amazon.com/Armasight-Nyx7-ID-Goggles-Improved-Definition/dp/B007SYIOJ0/ref=pd_sbs_200_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B007SYIOJ0&pd_rd_r=2QW92XXWWTYFCHB8YYCB&pd_rd_w=xAsui&pd_rd_wg=mkiEK&psc=1&refRID=2QW92XXWWTYFCHB8YYCB

[Daniel Low]

I have both the boombeam and halogen recognition lights. I installed the recognition lights before the boombeam was available and because I was having problems seeing the taxiway at night. The recognition lights worked well, they especially helped when turning and taxiing by obstacles. They got hot, though, so I put some reflective tape inside the wingtip lens to help reflect some of the heat away. I was still not happy and bought a boombeam when they became available.
One word: amazing! The difference in light output allowed me to see like I was 20 again! Landing, taxiing, no problem.
I now only use my recognition lights when I want another plane to spot me, the heat problem keeps me too nervous to keep them on full time. I will likely replace with LEDs in the future, but the boombeam will stay.


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[joegoersch]

On ‎11‎/‎20‎/‎2016 at 3:43 PM, Daniel Low said:

I have both the boombeam and halogen recognition lights. I installed the recognition lights before the boombeam was available and because I was having problems seeing the taxiway at night. The recognition lights worked well, they especially helped when turning and taxiing by obstacles. They got hot, though, so I put some reflective tape inside the wingtip lens to help reflect some of the heat away. I was still not happy and bought a boombeam when they became available.
One word: amazing! The difference in light output allowed me to see like I was 20 again! Landing, taxiing, no problem.
I now only use my recognition lights when I want another plane to spot me, the heat problem keeps me too nervous to keep them on full time. I will likely replace with LEDs in the future, but the boombeam will stay.


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I have only one landing light on my 201 cowling.  Right now I use an LED. 

Do you have the Taxi lens (wide spread) or Landing light lens (narrow spread) ?

I would have to choose one or the other.  Any thoughts ?  Thanks for your input.

Also how many hours labor to install ?  Any problems getting the FSDO to approve the paperwork ?

 

Thanks again !

[Daniel Low]

I believe I have the landing light configuration.  The boom beam light was stc'd so paperwork wasn't a problem.  Installation is relatively quick, the light is a drop in, but there is a power supply that was installed on the firewall.  The light is unplugged at the power supply to enable the lower cowl to be removed. 

[Daniel Low]

I apologize, I looked at the website and didn't find the stc. I have a 337 and the boombeam was installed at a Mooney shop, so they may have gotten field approval easily.


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[kevinw]

I have the Whelen Parmetheus landing light and last year at annual had Whelen Orion series LED recognition lights installed. They are much brighter than the old ones but as far as help during taxing, not a whole lot. Biggest advantages are other planes will see you easier, 4-5 lb gain in useful load, very little electrical draw and most important they look really cool! My A&P told me he installed three more sets to guys that stopped by his shop while mine were getting installed; they were that impressed.

[joegoersch]

 

3 hours ago, kevinw said:

I have the Whelen Parmetheus landing light and last year at annual had Whelen Orion series LED recognition lights installed. They are much brighter than the old ones but as far as help during taxing, not a whole lot. Biggest advantages are other planes will see you easier, 4-5 lb gain in useful load, very little electrical draw and most important they look really cool! My A&P told me he installed three more sets to guys that stopped by his shop while mine were getting installed; they were that impressed.

Do you know the part number of the Whelen Orion series LED recognition lights ? 

Anyone know if the microsun aero leds would fit where the Wheelen recognition light fits ?

Edited November 29, 2016 by joegoersch

[kevinw]

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/orion650eseries.php?clickkey=22748 for the wing tips. Both 12 and 24v are available in green and red.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/orion500series.php?recfer=8881 for the tail.

Labor to install was a couple of hours I believe. These went on a '82 J with the wing tip lens covers.