J model landing light

[Ron_Dace]

Is a PAR 46 the correct size for a J model? Where can I confirm size?

[LANCECASPER]

21 minutes ago, Ron_Dace said:

Is a PAR 46 the correct size for a J model? Where can I confirm size?

Depends on the year. If you have one, it’s probably a PAR46 (5.75 inches). Measure it to be sure

[EricJ]

51 minutes ago, Ron_Dace said:

Is a PAR 46 the correct size for a J model? Where can I confirm size?

You can confirm just about all parts in the Illuistrated Parts Catalog for the J model, which is available online for free.   Specific parts may depend on the serial number of your aircraft, but generally J models are PAR46, if it is in the nose cowl.

 

[MikeOH]

You might consider an LED replacement PAR46; I got tired of changing the filament bulb.

[1980Mooney]

3 hours ago, Ron_Dace said:

Is a PAR 46 the correct size for a J model? Where can I confirm size?

 

2 hours ago, MikeOH said:

You might consider an LED replacement PAR46; I got tired of changing the filament bulb.

 I concur.  And the change to LED benefits more than reliability and filament life.  If your J model is 12 volts then the original GE4509 is 100 watts and draws about 8 amps.  If you are running a lot of avionics and have your strobes on at the same time you can see a large voltage drop when you flip on the original incandescent landing light - everything dims a little. The light gets crazy hot and the wiring is warm too.  The LED PAR46 replacements regardless of brand draw less than 3 amps.  There is less load on the alternator (or generator depending on model) and battery when flying at night.  

There have been a lot of improvements in General Aviation LED's in just the past few years and there are more competing suppliers. Read only the most up to date comparisons.  LED's still cost more than the old incandescent bulbs but are worth it. 

 

 

 

 

[Guest]

7 hours ago, Ron_Dace said:

Is a PAR 46 the correct size for a J model? Where can I confirm size?

Cowl installed bulbs are PAR46, wing installed lights are PAR36.

Clarence

[LANCECASPER]

14 hours ago, M20Doc said:

Cowl installed bulbs are PAR46, wing installed lights are PAR36.

Clarence

Except when they aren't on this 252 with two PAR 36 in the cowl 

I think if there's one in the cowl it's a PAR46. If there's two in the cowl they are PAR 36. If they are in the wing they are always PAR 36.

Always measure before buying. Take the diameter across the bulb and multiply by 8 and you have the PAR number.

4.5" x 8 = 36 (PAR 36)

5.75" x 8 = 46 (PAR46)

[Guest]

3 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Except when they aren't on this 252 with two PAR 36 in the cowl 

I think if there's one in the cowl it's a PAR46. If there's two in the cowl they are PAR 36. If they are in the wing they are always PAR 36.

Always measure before buying. Take the diameter across the bulb and multiply by 8 and you have the PAR number.

4.5" x 8 = 36 (PAR 36)

5.75" x 8 = 46 (PAR46)

I was going to add that caveat, but the OP was asking about a J model.

 

clarence

[Ron_Dace]

Thanks all. Par 46 led light on order. Should be able to get it installed this week. 

[PT20J]

You might also check to see it Service Instruction M20-41 has been complied with. On my 1978 M20J it had been installed, but incorrectly. 

SIM20-41.pdf

[EricJ]

5 minutes ago, PT20J said:

You might also check to see it Service Instruction M20-41 has been complied with. On my 1978 M20J it had been installed, but incorrectly. 

SIM20-41.pdf 1.02 MB · 0 downloads

Interesting, I hadn't seen this before.   It's probably a lot less important with an LED lamp that doesn't have a filament.    Mine kinda flops around in there, anyway.   I suspect some pieces may be missing, let alone any silicone padding.

[haymak3r]

4 hours ago, Ron_Dace said:

Thanks all. Par 46 led light on order. Should be able to get it installed this week. 

What light did you order? I just installed a parmetheus plus and their documentation is pretty spot on. it is basically the same brightness as the incandescent. I was hoping to be able to see the ground a little better than stock.

[RobertGary1]

On 12/5/2021 at 9:24 AM, MikeOH said:

You might consider an LED replacement PAR46; I got tired of changing the filament bulb.

I’ve always wondered about this. In 20 years of ownership I’ve changed mine once. But I don’t fly with the light on all the time. Are some using it full time?

[MikeOH]

1 minute ago, RobertGary1 said:

I’ve always wondered about this. In 20 years of ownership I’ve changed mine once. But I don’t fly with the light on all the time. Are some using it full time?

Yes, I turn it on just before entering the runway and turn it off as part of my after landing check-list.  I figure it's cheap insurance against a mid-air (especially now that it's an LED!)

[Bunti]

Since I have the LED landing light, I switch it on as soon as the airplane starts moving. I switch it off when at the parking position prior engine shutdown. Same peocedure day and night.

[EricJ]

Yeah, mine's on all the time from entering the runway until shutdown, unless I turn it off earlier on the ramp after landing.   From this perspective an LED landing light is a safety enhancement if left on all the time.

[RobertGary1]

My understanding with LEDs is that there are two choices? Wide and dim or narrow and bright?

 

-Robert

[Shadrach]

1 hour ago, RobertGary1 said:

I’ve always wondered about this. In 20 years of ownership I’ve changed mine once. But I don’t fly with the light on all the time. Are some using it full time?

I never used my incandescent full time.  I was careful to orient the filament vertically (don't know if that actually helps) and only used for ground, approach and departure ops.  I usually got ~50 hours of usage out of a light but some failed prematurely (<25 hours).  I have a Xevision 50W HID that I installed in 2007 (FAA no longer approves these installations for some reason).  I use it whenever the engine is running unless I'm concerned about blinding opposing ground traffic.  It probably has about 1000hrs of use so far. I have seen no noticeable degradation in output. 

[jaylw314]

2 hours ago, RobertGary1 said:

My understanding with LEDs is that there are two choices? Wide and dim or narrow and bright?

 

-Robert

 

Be aware, I used the first generation Parmetheus PAR46 light and it was like a laser beam.  Great at seeing the hangar down the taxiway, but anything off to the sides was pitch dark.  Made taxiing surprisingly exciting!

I've since switch to Aero-Lights PAR46 light which has LED's that are mostly narrow, with some diffusers over a few elements to give some wider taxi lighting.

Life is all about shades of grey  

FWIW, I just leave the taxi light on except when holding short of the runway.  Makes it easy to see if you've left the master switch on during the daytime.

Edited December 7, 2021 by jaylw314

[larrynimmo]

13 hours ago, jaylw314 said:

 

Be aware, I used the first generation Parmetheus PAR46 light and it was like a laser beam.  Great at seeing the hangar down the taxiway, but anything off to the sides was pitch dark.  Made taxiing surprisingly exciting!

I've since switch to Aero-Lights PAR46 light which has LED's that are mostly narrow, with some diffusers over a few elements to give some wider taxi lighting.

Life is all about shades of grey  

FWIW, I just leave the taxi light on except when holding short of the runway.  Makes it easy to see if you've left the master switch on during the daytime.

I had the exact same experience with the parentheses 2 bulb…that’s why I switched to Aero lite…

whelen much brighter, but offered zero taxi help