Recognition Lights (This is how it done)

[RoundTwo]

Got mine installed yesterday. It was time. I’m impressed with how bright they are, something that doesn’t come across in pictures.

[FLYFST]

If you guys are not interested in creating a whole new wingtip assembly for a different light, I now carry the LED direct replacement for the 70303 halogen bulbs that melt your wingtip lenses. You pick the LED lamp that corresponds with your ship power, nothing to do with the resistor that is found in a lot of Mooneys. So if your aircraft is 28V, you need the 28V version. 
https://www.gallagheraviationllc.com/WAT-Mooney-14V-Recognition-Light_p_140.html  https://www.gallagheraviationllc.com/WAT-Mooney-28V-Recognition-Light_p_337.html 
 

I’m planning to install the 14V replacements in my J model soon. Is there a wig-wag system available to augment the installation?
Hank


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[OSUAV8TER]

23 minutes ago, FLYFST said:

I’m planning to install the 14V replacements in my J model soon. Is there a wig-wag system available to augment the installation?
Hank


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I recommend the MaxPulse switch.

https://www.gallagheraviationllc.com/MaxPulse-9200-000-B-Ring-Terminal-Switch_p_266.html

[FLYFST]

Thanks!


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[Marc_B]

@FLYFST here is a great thread about various pulsing installs:

I purchased a Max Pulse from @OSUAV8TER and waiting to have it installed in the headliner ala @GeeBee. 
as an aside…aren’t ring terminals (the ones linked in previous post) the way to go for aviation rather than spade connectors. Curious why they offer both?

[OSUAV8TER]

9 minutes ago, Marc_B said:

@FLYFST here is a great thread about various pulsing installs:

I purchased a Max Pulse from @OSUAV8TER and waiting to have it installed in the headliner ala @GeeBee. 
as an aside…aren’t ring terminals (the ones linked in previous post) the way to go for aviation rather than spade connectors. Curious why they offer both?

I’m not sure but I recommend the ring terminal model.

[FLYFST]

[mention=7952]FLYFST[/mention] here is a great thread about various pulsing installs:
I purchased a Max Pulse from [mention=13533]OSUAV8TER[/mention] and waiting to have it installed in the headliner ala [mention=18744]GeeBee[/mention]. 
as an aside…aren’t ring terminals (the ones linked in previous post) the way to go for aviation rather than spade connectors. Curious why they offer both?

Thanks Marc, I will investigate.
Hank


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[FLYFST]

I’m not sure but I recommend the ring terminal model.

Thanks! I will investigate. I’m thinking of pulsing only the new LED recognition lights on the J.
Hank


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[OSUAV8TER]

11 minutes ago, FLYFST said:

Thanks! I will investigate. I’m thinking of pulsing only the new LED recognition lights on the J.
Hank


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I think Pulse lights add a ton of day and night time recognition capability and I can’t ever overemphasize how much I value that capability. They work great.

[PeteMc]

@OSUAV8TER  I was talking to a friend that's on the fence of changing to LED Recognition lights for his 252.  He was asking if it is considered a "bulb change" and if he could put in the LEDs himself or if it needs a signoff.  I couldn't remember/find if anyone else had asked this before?  

On another note...  I've been moved for weighing and Avionics SW updates.  So hope there's now progress on your plane. 

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by PeteMc

[Pinecone]

Whelen has a pulser unit.  You have to almost know it exists to find it.  @OSUAV8TER can special order them.

It works like the Pulselight in that you turn on the switch for the pulser and it pulses the connected lights.  Turn on the switch for that particular light, and it comes on steady, no matter what the pulser is doing.

So, I plan to set up my 2552 to pulse the recog lights with the taxi light.  So Recog - Taxi - Recog - Taxi etc.

If I turn on the Taxi light switch, the taxi light will come on steady, but the recog lights will still pulse.

Unit handles 4 circuits, but they are paired, so circuit 1 and 2 are on together and 3 and 4 are on opposite 1&2.

Whelen 711556.  James got it for me for around $650. 

Model 71156 Series LED Flasher Assembly For LED Lightheads | Whelen Aerospace Technologies (flywat.com)

 

 

[OSUAV8TER]

1 hour ago, Pinecone said:

Whelen has a pulser unit.  You have to almost know it exists to find it.  @OSUAV8TER can special order them.

It works like the Pulselight in that you turn on the switch for the pulser and it pulses the connected lights.  Turn on the switch for that particular light, and it comes on steady, no matter what the pulser is doing.

So, I plan to set up my 2552 to pulse the recog lights with the taxi light.  So Recog - Taxi - Recog - Taxi etc.

If I turn on the Taxi light switch, the taxi light will come on steady, but the recog lights will still pulse.

Unit handles 4 circuits, but they are paired, so circuit 1 and 2 are on together and 3 and 4 are on opposite 1&2.

Whelen 711556.  James got it for me for around $650. 

Model 71156 Series LED Flasher Assembly For LED Lightheads | Whelen Aerospace Technologies (flywat.com)

 

 

Yes this is also an option too if you don't like the MaxPulse switch. I have it on the shelf now but for $699.99. 

https://www.gallagheraviationllc.com/WAT-71156-Series-LED-Flasher-Assembly-4-Outlet-28V_p_375.html

[OSUAV8TER]

19 hours ago, PeteMc said:

@OSUAV8TER  I was talking to a friend that's on the fence of changing to LED Recognition lights for his 252.  He was asking if it is considered a "bulb change" and if he could put in the LEDs himself or if it needs a signoff.  I couldn't remember/find if anyone else had asked this before?  

On another note...  I've been moved for weighing and Avionics SW updates.  So hope there's now progress on your plane. 

 

@PeteMc good question and I've seen it gone three ways. The way I recommend is an A&P sign it off as a minor alteration. The other two ways are that the owner installs them as owner preventative maintenance with a logbook entry and in extreme instances some A&P/IAs insist on a time consuming and costly field approval. The bottom line is that it is subjective.

I saw your Mooney coming out of the hangar last week and they did a really, really, nice job with it. You'll be excited to get it back. 

[OR75]

20 hours ago, PeteMc said:

@OSUAV8TER  I was talking to a friend that's on the fence of changing to LED Recognition lights for his 252.  He was asking if it is considered a "bulb change" and if he could put in the LEDs himself or if it needs a signoff.  I couldn't remember/find if anyone else had asked this before?  

On another note...  I've been moved for weighing and Avionics SW updates.  So hope there's now progress on your plane. 

 

with all these LED options , the sky seems to be the limit and it can start looking like an over the top Chrismas tree.

I was wondering how all those stack against FAA basic requirements for position and angles of the different colors and flashing 

Edited December 26, 2023 by OR75

[PeteMc]

2 hours ago, OSUAV8TER said:

I saw your Mooney coming out of the hangar last week and they did a really, really, nice job with it. You'll be excited to get it back. 

Thx for the info.  And on the plane, yes, excited to see it!

Now I just need some good Wx to get up to WA!!!  Not going to be blasting into any clouds this time of year.

[PeteMc]

1 hour ago, OR75 said:

with all these LED options , the sky seems to be the limit and it can start looking like an over the top Chrismas tree.

I was wondering how all those stack against FAA basic requirements for position and angles of the different colors and flashing 

You sort of answered your own question on "LED" as you referenced the FAA's "basic" requirements.  So the LEDs would only be a step up from that "basic" or minimum. 

As for the flashing, my Pulselite has a FAA STC from decades ago and was installed with my original approved Whelen Recognition Lights.  Those original bulbs are being replaced with the new Whelen LED version. 

My LED position and strobe lights are also FAA Approved Whelen lights.  So not sure why you'd think the FAA would have an issue with any of this?  (Suppose people could be jerry rigging their own LED lights, but then that would be no different than people that have jerry rigged other things.  And if the FAA finds out, then I'm sure they'd have an issue with the installation.)

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by PeteMc

[OSUAV8TER]

There are two FAA TSO, or performance standards, for aircraft lighting that all aircraft have to meet depending on types of flight operations conducted (namely at night). There is a TSO for anti-collision lights (wingtip & tail strobe or beacon lights), and a TSO for navigation lights (red, green, white). There is no TSO for a landing or taxi light because long ago aircraft were certified with GE incandescent PAR-36, PAR-46, etc. lamps. Those GE part numbers are in your IPC and are considered a standard part based off an antique tractor standard (sometimes you see people joking about tractor bulbs). So to go LED, Whelen got an STC as an installation basis for their LED landing and taxi lights. That is highly debated whether one is needed or not but I always recommend a good quality aviation LED landing or taxi light. The Amazon $20 special are not even close in quality or brightness. When it comes to recognition lights, there is no FAA standard to speak of so parts and aircraft manufacturers are left with a lot of flexibility here.

[OR75]

5 hours ago, OSUAV8TER said:

There are two FAA TSO, or performance standards, for aircraft lighting that all aircraft have to meet depending on types of flight operations conducted (namely at night). There is a TSO for anti-collision lights (wingtip & tail strobe or beacon lights), and a TSO for navigation lights (red, green, white). There is no TSO for a landing or taxi light because long ago aircraft were certified with GE incandescent PAR-36, PAR-46, etc. lamps. Those GE part numbers are in your IPC and are considered a standard part based off an antique tractor standard (sometimes you see people joking about tractor bulbs). So to go LED, Whelen got an STC as an installation basis for their LED landing and taxi lights. That is highly debated whether one is needed or not but I always recommend a good quality aviation LED landing or taxi light. The Amazon $20 special are not even close in quality or brightness. When it comes to recognition lights, there is no FAA standard to speak of so parts and aircraft manufacturers are left with a lot of flexibility here.

thanks for the detailed  answered on the different TSOs .  I am sure all these new products are great quality.  

But as you rightly point out , this about see and avoid at night and more precisely for other pilots/aircrafts to see me and avoid me. I wonder how all these LEDs can play well together (let's call it installation STC compatibility) based on the different wing tips (I still have the square tip)

[Jetpilot86]

So what I’m gathering from this is since the Recognitions are not a required light for night flight, owner can change them like the Taxi/Landing lights. The Beacon, and position lights are a bit more of a grey area?

[OSUAV8TER]

5 minutes ago, Jetpilot86 said:

So what I’m gathering from this is since the Recognitions are not a required light for night flight, owner can change them like the Taxi/Landing lights. The Beacon, and position lights are a bit more of a grey area?

I believe it is more of am minor alteration, which require a logbook entry from an A&P mechanic, for switching the recognition lights but a lot of people do it as part of Preventative Maintenance IAW 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A (c) Preventative maintenance. (17) - Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights. (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-43) <-- Link to source.

Advisory Circular 43-12A - Preventive Maintenance has a lot of good information too. Copy and paste this link into a browser. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_43-12A_CHG_1.pdf

Bottom line is that this can be viewed many different ways to which I respect all aspects of each position based upon the merit of their arguments.

[Marc_B]

Regarding the above post...safest bet is to speak with the A&P/IA who will be doing your annuals to see if it's an issue with them.  Better to know ahead of time what their "perception" of the install will be.  Mine was just a minor alteration with a log entry from my A&P.

[LANCECASPER]

Choosing an A&P/IA and developing a mutual trust and understanding goes a long way. Every annual mine asks me, “What all have you done (or what are we doing) that I need to inspect and hopefully sign off on?” 

Having a clear logbook entry signed by an IA may not be necessary on some of these things but it will help when you go to sell the airplane someday.    

[William Munney]

I am nearly finished with the total conversion of factory exterior lights on a 1996 Ovation to the Whelen (WAT) LED’s.  I chose the latest, brightest Prometheus G3.  Whelen did the original exterior lighting on the Ovation and they produce high quality replacements for everything EXCEPT for the ice light and and the rear, white wingtip light.

First, let me say that you just do not know what you are going to get into until you begin.  Experience and/ or your AP standing by is highly recommended.  On the wingtips, at the very least, you are going to have to take out out the strobe boxes (x2) and any other wiring mess created by previous attempts at early LED lighting (if any).  If you want the wing tips and the tail recognition light/ strobe to flash together, a “sync”wire is going to be required.  We removed 8+ lbs of equipment and old wiring from the wings alone.

The landing/ taxi lights are done through access panels and are not hard but frustrating.  I chose to put 4 landing lights in vs 2 taxi and two landing lights.  The lights are set back in the wing a bit so there is plenty of light diffusion without the diffusion lenses on the Whelen taxi lights.

I did the beacon on my airplane too.  Not a “blade” design but highly visible.  My 27 year old beacon was cracked and dull.

Let me say that the lights are VERY VERY VERY bright.  And, i was skeptical of the claims.  You can’t even stare at the position lights.  The strobes…..are they too bright?  We turned out the lights in the hangar and turned on the strobes and its nearly disorienting.  They will definitely be OFF in the clouds at night.  They make several beacons.  ALL very bright.  No one is going to miss you on the ground or in the air.

The Ovation comes with a ton of lights to begin with and they are now 50X brighter and longer lasting.

Total cost:  about $3300-4000.  Some curse words.  A bunch of wire.  And, a LOT of crimping and heat shrinking.  I used waterproof butt splices with adhesive.

Pictures at a later date when its all done.

 

[Jetpilot86]

On 12/27/2023 at 10:53 AM, OSUAV8TER said:

I believe it is more of am minor alteration, which require a logbook entry from an A&P mechanic, for switching the recognition lights but a lot of people do it as part of Preventative Maintenance IAW 14 CFR Part 43 Appendix A (c) Preventative maintenance. (17) - Replacing bulbs, reflectors, and lenses of position and landing lights. (https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-43) <-- Link to source.

Advisory Circular 43-12A - Preventive Maintenance has a lot of good information too. Copy and paste this link into a browser. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_43-12A_CHG_1.pdf

Bottom line is that this can be viewed many different ways to which I respect all aspects of each position based upon the merit of their arguments.

Thanks!  Also learned yesterday that the 28V birds may not need 28V LED Recog lights as there is a stepdown? setup for them.  I'll probably get mine installed at annual and if it's there it will just be bypassed but it might come in handy to know down the road....

[LANCECASPER]

11 minutes ago, Jetpilot86 said:

Thanks!  Also learned yesterday that the 28V birds may not need 28V LED Recog lights as there is a stepdown? setup for them.  I'll probably get mine installed at annual and if it's there it will just be bypassed but it might come in handy to know down the road....

As @OSUAV8TER has mentioned, you need the 28v recog lights for 28v airplanes, regardless of the stepdown