LED Recognition Lights--Are you interested?

[Parker_Woodruff]

Here's the issue.  This was after a hot summer day running the lights on the ground for a while.

 

 

[hansel]

The recognition lights can be retrofit on mooneys having sculpted tips. I think the parts from mooney are about $600 before labor (which is minimal from what I understand). Given your grievances above-- is this a waste of money? I'm considering having them installed with the boom boom power pulse http://speedmods.com/PowerPulse.htm

[fantom]

Quote: hansel

....Given your grievances above-- is this a waste of money? I'm considering having them installed with the boom boom power pulse http://speedmods.com/PowerPulse.htm

[fantom]

Oh, and the LoPresti lights are NOT for the wing tips, where the factory recognition lights are mounted. I've asked them that specific question recently.

[Buster1]

Sorry for my naivety here, not yet owning a Mooney.  Parker, can you explain the problem?  Are these just the red & green position lights, or something brighter?  Did they explode and/or melt the sculpted tips?  What happened? Thanks!

[hansel]

Quote: fantom

Oh, and the LoPresti lights are NOT for the wing tips, where the factory recognition lights are mounted. I've asked them that specific question recently.

[fantom]

There is no reason you couldn't pulse the recognition lights.

I really don't know how effective they are, but they can sure play havoc with the plastic lenses.

 

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: Buster1

Sorry for my naivety here, not yet owning a Mooney.  Parker, can you explain the problem?  Are these just the red & green position lights, or something brighter?  Did they explode and/or melt the sculpted tips?  What happened? Thanks!

[Buster1]

Got it, ouch!  They designed it this way?

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: Buster1

Got it, ouch!  They designed it this way?

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

Yup.  One of those plastic lenses runs $213 and about an hour of labor to fit if you're familiar with the process.

[fantom]

The reflector needs to be tight, not touching the lens, and you must keep them off on the ground. Forget once or twice, and you've got a small hole burned in the lens, or worse.

[MooneyMitch]

Quote: Mitch

Here is my experience with these lights melting the lense.  If the unit is disassembled, putting it back together just exactly right is most important. 

In other words, if the actual lamp is removed from the assembly, you'd better make sure it is seated in the spring flange correctly when you put it all back together.  Otherwise the lamp tilts up just enough, getting too close to the upper part of the clear lens and ..............viola.........the lens distorts from the heat of the lamp. 

[Parker_Woodruff]

Quote: Mitch

 Repeating myself here I know, but this is what actually happened to me.  Getting the assembly just right upon re-assembly was the key for me in preventing distortion from heat.  Hope this helps.

[LuvFlying]

Soooo.... anything new?  Sure is a GREAT idea.

[tyrefoote]

I havn't found a solution to this problem and I was wondering if anyone has come up with a better alternative yet ?  I'm to the point of trying to retrofitting a Cirrus LED recog from Whelen p/n 01-0271325-00 into the wingtip any thoughts on the legalities of that.    Thanks   T.F.

[Hank]

I saw some interesting options at SNF, if I flew an experimental. The Whelen guys said they are anticipating an LED that will fit the wingtip recess in another year or two. In the meantime, I don't want to put in the big, powerful blinkers with individual power supplies, since my VOR antennas are inside the tips. Too much interference. So I am trying to feel content with the LED belly strobe I've got on order since my Whelen  power supply only puts out voltage on a variable, irregular pattern. I'll submit a pirep about the install when it arrives, hopefully in another week or two.

[tyrefoote]

I talked with a couple of people at Whelen today and they said they have no plans to come up with a LED replalcment on Mooneys recog lights.  They suggested p/n 01-0771125-21 and do a form 337 for field approval. Has anyone gone this route yey or would I be setting the president ?

Hank I'm talking about Halogen recognition lights that get Hot they do not flash

[Hank]

You are right, I am looking to add wig-wag flashers to my wingtips. With the 201-style wingtips, there is only a small recess to put them in, and it will need to be a combination with the navigation light. Whelen said they will have an LED version out "soon,"once they come up with a strong enough system.

You must be talking about the cover-melting recognition lights that my short-body doesn't have.

[231Pilot]

Am curious as to why they are such a "hot item".  I have been looking at a 231 that has them, both protctive lenses are distorted fro melting by the recognition lights.  Why are these desirable if the nav lights, wingtip strobes, and landing lights are functioning properly.  The value to these lights would be.....?

[DaV8or]

Quote: 201Pilot

Am curious as to why they are such a "hot item".  I have been looking at a 231 that has them, both protctive lenses are distorted fro melting by the recognition lights.  Why are these desirable if the nav lights, wingtip strobes, and landing lights are functioning properly.  The value to these lights would be.....?

[231Pilot]

Quote: DaV8or

I think what they're looking for is LED replacement units so they don't melt the wing tip covers.

[carusoam]

Lew,

Good question...(why have recog lights?)

Landing lights and taxi lights, buried in the wing, are focused / aimed in particular directions, where the recog lights are somewhat wing tip mounted and spreading light everywhere.  This makes them, the plane, more visible from wider angles.

I have them and am afraid to use them because of the melting situation.  (was that Parker who posted pictures of the melted lens?)  My lenses are slightly deformed from before I got the plane.  Leaving them on after landing, is a real / expensive possibility.

Nav lights for the Ovation are not that helpful for being seen during day light hours.  When the nav lights are on, the information panel lights get dimmed.  It is difficult/impossible to see if any warning lights come on, including gear down light.  So Nav lights, unfortunately, are usually turned off until dark.

It would be really nice to have a cooler (LED) alternative.

Best regards,

-a-

[fantom]

Quote: carusoam

I have them and am afraid to use them because of the melting situation.

[tyrefoote]

They are not absolutly necessary for me to use although they do look good at night, I almost resemble a MD88 airliner !!    I  fly mostly at night and frequenly fly to KPIM (uncontrolled and unattended) where there is a problem with deer loitering on the runway  at night and I will tell you they don't help too much with the forward visibility when the landing light is out.  I fixed that problem with the Welen Parmetheus and am so impressed with the LED that I want to do the same for the Recogs.

 I have read a previous post from Parker that His AP was looking into STC  for this issue and that was a couple of years ago and mabee he has some new info by now?