Nu-Lites: Anyone install yet?

[scottfromiowa]

I purchased Nu-Lite bezel instrument lites for my six pack.  Anyone install these yet in their vintage Mooney?  I plan on having them connected to the previous post-lite rheostat and wondered if anyone has done this and if it worked fine or there were any issues?  Thanks for the feedback.

Scott

[DoctorJ]

I had them installed in a 1968 M20G model a couple years ago and removed the flood lights.  Nu-Lites was great to work with as I had to modify a couple to make them fit and ended up grinding through the bezel.  They replaced them at no charge.

[MooneyMitch]

Hi Scott.

Looking at the electrical area of the Nulites web site, it appears that your existing rheostat will be just fine.  We installed Fiberlites [similar bezel design] on Jolie's E model a few years ago.  The Fiberlite system uses LED's as the light source so we had to install a separate solid-state dimmer for that system.

 

[DaV8or]

I was going to put in Nu-Lites until my avionics shop turned me on to the electro-luminesent ring lights by UMA. Very similar concept except they use an electro-luminecent technology that lasts for 10s of thousands of hours. They cost the same and they are a little smaller. They layed out the the panel with both brands and with the Nu-Lites it would have required me to cut a bit of the structure for airseed indicator clearence. I wasn't wedded to either, so I said go with the UMAs. I will give a PIREP. Here's the link to UMA's lights.

Attached is the CAD drawing showing the difference of the Nu-Lites vs. the UMA lights. The Nu-Lites are outlined in red and the UMAs are in blue.

[N601RX]

Quote: scottfromiowa

I purchased Nu-Lite bezel instrument lites for my six pack.  Anyone install these yet in their vintage Mooney?  I plan on having them connected to the previous post-lite rheostat and wondered if anyone has done this and if it worked fine or there were any issues?  Thanks for the feedback.

Scott

[scottfromiowa]

GREAT comments!  Thank you.  Damn, Dave I wish I had posted this before purchasing as your solution sounds better with a smaller footprint.  Glad feedback is good on the use of the existing rheostat.  I will let group know how it comes out. PS-Air said 4-5 hours to install.  That sounds about right to me, especially if there is some necessary modification of the units for fit.

I did order the 14 volt and also ordered with correct cut-outs...I hope.  Didn't think about gauge diameter for the three gauges without a cut-out.  Hope that works out O.K.

My floods are functional so I think I will leave them.  I had post lights before panel re-do and they worked O.K., but after seeing the Nu-Lite bezels had planned on doing them...

Dave, any concerns with depth regarding the yoke?  My yoke at max travel taps one of my gauges....NOT GOOD.  With a little more space would not be an issue.  I'm a little nervous about the additional depth from the Nu-Lite.  Your plan/print is awesome.  More advanced than my install (prep).  Looks great.

[PTK]

Quote: DaV8or

Attached is the CAD drawing showing the difference of the Nu-Lites vs. the UMA lights. The Nu-Lites are outlined in red and the UMAs are in blue.

[N601RX]

I just checked my CAD Drawing.  I placed my instruments on 3.425 center to center spacing in the horizontal plane and that gave me .015 inches of clearance between the nulites.  I used 3.510 inches center to center spacing vertically to allow for the wiring.  If your spacing is less than this you will have to machine the sides of the nulites down a little to get them to fit.

If you do have to trim them down be sure to paint the raw edge back back white so it will reflect the light.

[PTK]

Quote: DaV8or

Attached is the CAD drawing showing the difference of the Nu-Lites vs. the UMA lights. The Nu-Lites are outlined in red and the UMAs are in blue.

[MARZ]

I put the nulites in my panel - I looked at the other but wasn't too thrilled in the converter that was required - if it goes bad all your lites go out - if one nulite burns out .... well you get the drift.

Trimming to fit the nulite is a non issue - a fine grinding wheel makes it quick work, I even repainted the portion I trimmed - white first then black.  I used the 4" bar lite to illumintate the 6pack guages on the right panel.  A vast improvement over the post lites (mmmm is that one really out or do I have to wiggle it to get it to go)

[eldeano]

I have the Nulites in my 63C, but they were installed by the previous owner.  They work great though.

[Ned Gravel]

I had Nulites put in my panel as well when I bought the aircraft in 2005.  The Tach and MAP gauge on the right do not have them because of the restriction on space so one of my shoulder lightes is pointed at them.  BTW, these are the new shoulder LEDs so no issue there.

I have a separate rheostat on the panel for the Nulites.  The one for my shoulder lights is in the cabin headliner. 

System gets better and better every year.

[scottfromiowa]

Maropers...if they all go out I can sport my fancy multi-red lights that clip on my brim cap.  I have never used, but have as a back-up along with flood lighting.  Good stuff on the light grinding and painting.  Thanks.

[takair]

I installed Nu-Lites in my Cherokee a number of years ago and absolutely loved them. I was going to install them in whatever Mooney I bought but the existing lights - a combination of post and internal - light the panel up so nicely that I have no need to switch. But if I didn't have the lighting I have I'd definitley install them.

Pros:

• 
  
• Not hard to install but time consuming
  
• Individually powered (loose one, loose only that one)
  
• Great instrument lighting
  
• Bright enough to read charts by if turned all the way up
  

Cons:

• 
  
• Thick - pushes instrument back in panel if installed between panel and instrument
  
• Short pilots close to panel can have top of instrument obscurred depending on installation location
  

[FlyDave]

Quote: takair

I installed Nu-Lites in my Cherokee a number of years ago and absolutely loved them. I was going to install them in whatever Mooney I bought but the existing lights - a combination of post and internal - light the panel up so nicely that I have no need to switch. But if I didn't have the lighting I have I'd definitley install them.

Pros:

Not hard to install but time consuming

Individually powered (loose one, loose only that one)

Great instrument lighting

Bright enough to read charts by if turned all the way up

Cons:

Thick - pushes instrument back in panel if installed between panel and instrument

Short pilots close to panel can have top of instrument obscurred depending on installation location

[fantom]

The real FlyDave has now stood up!! (Craig...Craig....Anyone....Anyone....)

 

Gotta check the upper right side of the screen when you sign on to make sure you're you...it's in red.

At least for a while longer. For what we pay Craig, it's a minor inconvenience, IMO. 

Given his day job and tending to a wife who's due next month you can understand his challenge finding any time to work on our website.

[jelswick]

Scott, I don't think you'll be disappointed.  I had the Nu Lites installed in my '63C and loved them, so when I bought my J, out came the post lights except I believe one the installer left and in went Nu Lites again.  I've had no issues with them ever and love the clean look they give the panel and lighting.  Good luck on the install!

[FlyDave]

Quote: fantom

[danb35]

I installed NuLites in '48Q last year, and I'm very happy with them.  I did have to trim them all for clearance, and since my tools were in storage, I borrowed my A&P's belt sander.  Not the quickest way to do it, bt it worked just fine.  As mentioned, you'll want to paint the trimmed area white (and optionally black over that) so it still reflects properly.

[jamesm]

Do the Nu-lites use the same overhead  dimmer that original lights overhead  (red) instrutments lights use?

Do they connect then in parallel with my existing instruments? if so do they cause the original overhead instrument lights to dim?

Does the Nu-lites require a seperate dimmer?

 

Thanks in Advance,

James

'67 M20C

[rob]

They can be wired however you like. I have mine on their own dimmer, and left the floods on the overhead.

[DaV8or]

Quote: jamesm

Do the Nu-lites use the same overhead  dimmer that original lights overhead  (red) instrutments lights use?

Yes, they can.

Do they connect then in parallel with my existing instruments?

If you mean in parallel with your existing panel lights, then yes they can do that.

if so do they cause the original overhead instrument lights to dim?

No. They draw very little current, so your other lights should look the same.

Does the Nu-lites require a seperate dimmer?

No.

 

Thanks in Advance,

James

'67 M20C

[MARZ]

Quote: jamesm

Do the Nu-lites use the same overhead  dimmer that original lights overhead  (red) instrutments lights use?

Do they connect then in parallel with my existing instruments? if so do they cause the original overhead instrument lights to dim?

Does the Nu-lites require a seperate dimmer?

 

Thanks in Advance,

James

'67 M20C

[scottfromiowa]

My panel was just off (vertical separation) so Nu-lites were a no-go.  Dave, I just ordered same UMA lights.  Should have in two-three days and be installed this week or early next.  Thanks again for posting and letting me know these were out there.  Blue PMA-light should be easy on the eyes at night...Like my old VW's and Honda's...

[scottfromiowa]

-UPDATE-Lights still NOT yet installed.  My panel does NOT allow for installation of bezel ring on DG...The instrument will "hit" the yoke...Bummer.  Installers say "You need a separate rheostat".  Apparently ceiling mounted unit won't work (eye roll)...Oh well, this will be a compromise with DG NOT illuminated.  Waiting on the rheostat from Spruce.  I have overhead cabin lighting too so this will provide some DG illumination.  I primarily use 696 to navigate so NOT a huge deal, but am disappointed at the hurdles on this install.  What seemed pretty straight forward is taking more time and money...like all things aviation.