Two questions

[bixmooney]

I have a 1975 M20F

i struggle to see the gear indicator without getting my eyes close to it and often shining a light on it. 
 

I saw this picture of an illuminated indicator on prior posts.   Is there supposed to be a bulb behind mine or is that a later thing or modification ? 
 

I do have this little post light that is supposed to shine on it but super weak lighting and getting at it looks hard to me.  

I thought the plane was clean until I see the close up picture

 

also,  get a normal looking centered green gear down in the box, but gear up, enroute, it looks like this now 

[Ragsf15e]

9 hours ago, bixmooney said:

I have a 1975 M20F

i struggle to see the gear indicator without getting my eyes close to it and often shining a light on it. 
 

I saw this picture of an illuminated indicator on prior posts.   Is there supposed to be a bulb behind mine or is that a later thing or modification ? 
 

I do have this little post light that is supposed to shine on it but super weak lighting and getting at it looks hard to me.  

I thought the plane was clean until I see the close up picture

 

also,  get a normal looking centered green gear down in the box, but gear up, enroute, it looks like this now 

The light under the floor indicator is accessible from the belly.  You’ve got to have small hands.  The bulb is cheap and available but has a very specific base.  I had to try two different types.  
so you would optimally do this at annual when the belly panel is off and you can watch underneath as the gear retract.  You can actually see the little plexiglass piece move out of the window.

I have a thread with pictures from a couple years ago. I’ll see if i can find it.

[Ragsf15e]

Well this isn’t my thread but it should help 

 

[PeteMc]

Be sure to try and find an LED bulb that works.  Odds are you'll never need to change it again. 

 

[Grant_Waite]

11 hours ago, bixmooney said:

I have a 1975 M20F

i struggle to see the gear indicator without getting my eyes close to it and often shining a light on it. 
 

I saw this picture of an illuminated indicator on prior posts.   Is there supposed to be a bulb behind mine or is that a later thing or modification ? 
 

I do have this little post light that is supposed to shine on it but super weak lighting and getting at it looks hard to me.  

I thought the plane was clean until I see the close up picture

 

also,  get a normal looking centered green gear down in the box, but gear up, enroute, it looks like this now 

This was one of the first things I upgraded on my 77J I replaced the old incandescent bulb with a bright white, 12v led.  A 12v led will be brighter than the 24v one since our planes are 12v. This is the one I used https://www.aero-lites.com/product-page/330. I also took off the plexiglass that covers the indicator and cut a new one out of some plexiglass I got off Amazon. Used a little green nail polish to make the line and looks really good now. I was able to get to mine just fine from on top. Not sure why everyone thinks you can’t. You just have to remove the correct screws. Be careful though because there’s 2 plexiglass shims that hold indicator on place. See the attached picture. If you remove all 4 of the screws in red then the whole plate will come off with the indicator and everything attached. If you remove all 4 of the green ones then you’ll lose the shims into the belly and have to end up taking off the panel. You can remove 2 of the green ones top or bottom and be fine. Just don’t do all 4. This is all of course assuming your plane is like mine… should be. I think it’s a 3/16 wrench to remove the nut for the light housing. 

[bixmooney]

Thank you all for the info and the info and the pictures.  
I am learning that I need my sqwuak list handy at all times to write things down, otherwise I never chase it down.  
I did not know that it was supposed to be illuminated.  

[Ragsf15e]

2 hours ago, bixmooney said:

Thank you all for the info and the info and the pictures.  
I am learning that I need my sqwuak list handy at all times to write things down, otherwise I never chase it down.  
I did not know that it was supposed to be illuminated.  

When you get a bright led in there, it’s a great feeling.  Checking gear down is a much more positive experience, however, if you night fly a lot, it’s pretty darn bright!

[PT20J]

One of the reasons that the 14V airplanes often have dim lights here is that Mooney used a 28V bulb apparently to avoid having it be too bright at night. 

[N201MKTurbo]

Just keep a coaster in one of the pockets and set it on window at night.

[Grant_Waite]

Here’s a picture of mine today. It’s not that bright or at least not to me whenever I’ve flown at night. In the day time though it makes a huge improvement. 

[bixmooney]

Sweet !    I can’t wait to have some light on the subject down there 

I love owning this plane : ) 

thank you all.