Landing Light Replacement?

[aerobat95]

Quick question for you guys.....my landing light burned out and I was wondering how one goes about changing that?  Before I start getting to involved is it as easy as removing the lens cover and unscrewing?  Or do I need to remove the copilot side cowl?  Any info would be much appreciated.

 

Thanks

Ray

[rogerl]

On the "J" it's a simple matter of taking off the lense retaining ring (screws), removing the bulb retaining ring (I use a bent screwdriver as the access is a little tricky) and pulling the PAR46 bulb far enough out to remove the two wiring screws on the back of the bulb.  I use aluminum tape to lightly affix the lense to the lense retaining ring for reinstall.

[tony]

Ray, you're going to need to remove the copilot cowling.  The power wire is screwed onto the tab. 

[N7149V]

I just replaced the landing light on my M20F. The prices for the bulb, a GE 4522, 250W 13V  were all over the place. The retail for the GE bulb is around $111, but most places sell it for around $68. Aircraft Spruce had it for $30.95. Chief Aircraft Parts had it for $26.50! Take the co-pilot lower side cowling off for easy access to the screw fastened attach points on the bulb. Remove the front lens, remove the retaining ring, it has some very small self tapping screws that I would suggest replacing with stainless steel screws of the same size. If the screw holes are worn out, then I would go with the next size larger for all of the screws. There is a rubber gasket on the back side of the bulb. Make sure it goes on the back side of the new bulb and not between the bulb and the retaining ring as it is supposed to provide some shock absorption. Also, some mechanics say to mount the bulb with the element vertical as opposed to horizontal. Their theory is that shock from a hard landing or such is not as likely to break the filament that way. I guess it's a good idea, but I don't know for sure that it will make the bulb last any longer. These bulbs usually last at least 25 hours of burn time, but can last twice as long or more burn time. Hope this info helps you when you replace your landing light.

[Barry]

Good time to upgrade to one of the PAR46 LED bulbs ...  )

[dcrogers11]

Hey Ray,

It may sound silly, but hold onto the new bulb like it was ready to jump out of your hands, because it will try to.  Mine did.  105 degree heat and sweaty hands got me.  My C uses the 100W and just 13.95 so didn't kill me.  Picked up a spare the last time I was in Ft. Worth.  

PS-can't wait to see the 201 windshield.  

Don

[rbs4159]

When I bought my C 5 years ago, it had the GE 4522 250W lamp but the switch/breaker kept tripping so I installed the 100W 4537 lamp. I no longer fly at night, so if figured it didn't matter much. But it kept tripping the breaker, so I replaced the switch and the problem went away. Barry - or anyone else with this experience - if you replaced the OEM landing light with the Whelen Parmetheus PLED 461L, I would appreciate any information or tips on fitment or other installation issues, if any, as I think I'm going to spring for it in the near future.   

[1970m20e]

My 1970 M20E has the LED landing light.  I leave it on all the time.  Day or Night.  

[jetdriven]

we have the XeVision 50W.  it has maybe 5X the power of an LED light (750K CP, I think the LED's are like 125-150k CP) , and a 2,000 hour life.

[Highflight]

What size bulb for a 201J. Is it a 4509 or a 4522? How do you pull the retainer ring around the Bulb? Where can I get a new Retainer lens? How about the strobe light?

[orionflt]

I had an issue where I kept burning out bulbs, the ge bulbs lasted about 20 hours but the galaxy bulbs would only last 1 or 2 flights. I put in the led replacement and have not been happier. Mine is set up so you do not have to pull the copilots cowl to access everything but depending on how long the wires are it may be easier to get to them from inside the cowling.

Brian

[Hector]

Also have the LED light in my C. Easy to install and bright. Used to have the 250 watt bulb and would use it sparingly. Now I use the landing light anytime I'm in congested airspace. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[stevesm20b]

Also have the LED light in my C. Easy to install and bright. Used to have the 250 watt bulb and would use it sparingly. Now I use the landing light anytime I'm in congested airspace. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

Which LED light do you have?

[Hector]

I have the Whelen Parmetheus replacement for the PAR 46 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[DrBill]

There is a generic PAR 46 LED  bulb available from Amazon for $130.  Looks exactly like the aircraft version at less than 1/2 the price.

Made by Whelen too.

BILL

[DrBill]

Last night I gassed up the plane for a flight Monday morning.  I used the new LED light on the way back to the hangar.  I have to adjust it. WAY TOO HIGH.  I'd say about 5degrees up.  Nice bright spot on the middle of the trees on the other side of the runway !!

BILL

[mikesalman]

I lust had the scariest landing of my life, last Monday at 11pm 200 feet from the runway my landing light decides it has had enough. It felt like landing into a black hole, thank god everything went well but now with this experience I want a LED landing light. I currently have a PAR46 4522 bulb.Sarasota Aviation wanted $518 that seemed expensive. Does anyone have a better source? Any help would be appreciated.

[MB65E]

Depends on the brand, the best value par46 led lamp is the the Whelen- Aircraft Spruce $289, Skygeek - $325.

Aero LED is working on their PMA for their par 46 series. Should retail for about $600.

Teledyne, has their "Alpha beam" -$1600.

Once PMA'd I think the Aero LED brand will be a better light. But the whelen works great for me.

-Matt

[mikesalman]

Thanks Matt, I will give Aircraft Spruce a call today.

[Bob_Belville]

Installed 2 Whelan LEDs this week. An 8 deg x 8 deg flood/spot and a 20 deg x 60 deg flood. The first should be great for ldg/to and the second for taxi. Total cost $ 315.34 with freight. 

 

4 amps for 2 bulbs (@14V)

 

Thanks DrBill!

[TWinter]

Remove the co-pilot lower cowling. There are two adjustment screws around the seat ring of the light. You should be able to see them very easily. Pc of cake

I changed my OEM and replaced with LED. I also installed the clear plexi cover on the outside. The outside plexi cover was a SOB to get lined up right and fit flush. If you have an extra set of hands handy it will make a big difference and make for fewer swear words. Looks great when done and the LED is not only brighter, less amp draw. plus it looks much more modern.