LED Nav and Strobe light options
- Thread starter tbone
- Start date
CamTom12
Registered User
Huntsville, AL
Unfortunatley no. Disregarding the reflector, the base is a goofy BAY15S, where the "Y" stands for the offset posts on the sides. I couldn't find one anywhere.Is there a NAPA Airmotive equivalent to one of these flat-sided wingtip nav light bulbs?
I ended up getting a reasonably cheap set of bulbs (~$50 for the 3) that were aviation specific, but now I'm dealing with radio noise. I've debated on running shielded wire in the wings, but it's a flying plane and I honestly don't want to deal with that right now (unless it's a super easy task - is it?)
Does anyone have any recommendations for position LEDs that don't make radio noise?
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Your nav lights are making noise?
LED's don't make noise. I've only seen a couple of cases of that and it was in internal problem with the light assembly.
If you want to wire your wings for LED's use three conductor shielded wire. Use a fiberglass rod to pull the wire through the wing. Use a solder sleeve and jumper wire on the shield braid. One conductor for nav light power, one conductor for strobe power, one conductor for the synchronize function, and the shield as the ground conductor. 20 gauge seems to pencil out for most nav/strobe combo's.
Web
mike mcs repair
Registered User
chugiak AK
technically... if you use the shield as a conductor like you say, it's no longer able to be a passive? shield...
shields should only be connected to ground at one end...
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
How do you inspect the interior of the wings every year?
If they can show that it meets the color, range of visibility and brightness in the AC, then yes. I can’t do the testing, that is up to the applicant. For all certification work, “The applicant must show, and the FAA must find, compliance to the regulations”
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
CamTom12
Registered User
Huntsville, AL
There’s more than enough cut inspection holes for the Piper 100hr (what we use for my condition inspection), especially near the controls and turnbuckles.
Just not a lot of them that are already cut near where the existing wiring is run. The rings are in the fabric, though I’d hate to cut them for a one-time, not flight-critical project.
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Correct, it's no longer a shield but the technique works. Still only a single path to ground for the light so it does not produce a squeal in the audio.
Web
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Describe the noise? It goes on/off only with the LED's?
It's a pain to pull a new wire into a covered wing, but that's what the fishing pole is for. Rout the wire along the back side of the main spar. Another advantage of using the shielded wire, as above, is that if the wire wears against the structure, it only touches the shield ground NOT a power wire (at least at first!).
Web
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
I've had that same report from friends who've installed LED nav lights.
EMI, static, whatever....noise on the radio is noise on the radio.
CamTom12
Registered User
Huntsville, AL
Sounds like I don't want to mess with pulling new wiring then. I'll see if I can find the aeroLEDs for a more reasonable price. The Whelen Chroma are supposed to be quiet as well and might be a little cheaper.
Web, it's exactly this. Static on the radio and reduced radio reception. I have noticeably quieter reception on the radio and a quiet static in the background with the Nav switch on. Disappears when the Nav switch is off. No other change aside from installing the LED bulbs.
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Can you tie the old wire to new and pull them into place?
Check the routing of your lights power wires and the antenna coax. They might be bundled together. Separate them as much as possible. Another idea is to go around and unplug each light, one at a time, and see when the noise stops. That light/wire is causing the problem.
Web
Check the routing of your lights power wires and the antenna coax. They might be bundled together. Separate them as much as possible. Another idea is to go around and unplug each light, one at a time, and see when the noise stops. That light/wire is causing the problem.
Web
CamTom12
Registered User
Huntsville, AL
Will do. Hopefully should get some time at the hangar this weekend, though the weather isn't looking like a flight will be possible.
supercub1999
Registered User
Same issue I have with my truck, headlights on radio goes to hell, lights off good reception
CamTom12
Registered User
Huntsville, AL
I emailed the company last night to see if they knew of anything that I could try. The replied this afternoon and said more than likely a bulb was bad. They’re shipping me new bulbs and a return label for the originals. He said they’d check them out when they got them. My assumption is to see if they need to clean up any manufacturing processes.
I still plan to troubleshoot a little with the current bulbs before I swap the new ones in. Just for curiosity’s sake.
I still plan to troubleshoot a little with the current bulbs before I swap the new ones in. Just for curiosity’s sake.
Paul Heinrich
PARTNER
Illinois & Wisconsin
I’ve been looking for experimental nav/strobe lights and the cheapest for the three is pushing a grand. Aveo daylighter from chief or spruce is about $1,000 USD!!!
Plus $650 USD for the taxi/landing light bulbs.
isnt there a better and less expensive option?
Its just crazy!!!
Suggestions or directions to used parts would help.
Thanks.
Paul Heinrich
Plus $650 USD for the taxi/landing light bulbs.
isnt there a better and less expensive option?
Its just crazy!!!
Suggestions or directions to used parts would help.
Thanks.
Paul Heinrich
bob turner
Registered User
Paul - Aircraft Spruce sells LED bulbs for $35 each. They cycle between flash and steady.
If you are experimental, I submit that you can build your own, including strobes, for under $200. The bulbs won't be aircraft quality - more likely they will be truck quality - often a higher standard for ruggedness.
You can buy LED position lights for five bucks - again, truck ruggedness, not airplane ruggedness.
If you are experimental, I submit that you can build your own, including strobes, for under $200. The bulbs won't be aircraft quality - more likely they will be truck quality - often a higher standard for ruggedness.
You can buy LED position lights for five bucks - again, truck ruggedness, not airplane ruggedness.
skywagon8a
MEMBER
SE Mass MA6
Did you look here? https://www.kestrobes.com/triple-3-light-magnum/ A lot less than $1000.
Wig-wag landing light control. $50. https://www.kestrobes.com/ltr-landing-taxi-recogniton-light/
Landing light bulbs are extremely bright. https://www.superbrightleds.com/ Lots of stuff to look at.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/par-led-bulbs/filter/Bulb_Type,AR111,30,3370:
bob turner
Registered User
I believe you must have either. No requirement for both.
Beacon is nice for ground ops. I hate strobes on taxiing aircraft, even in daytime.
Beacon is nice for ground ops. I hate strobes on taxiing aircraft, even in daytime.
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Eddie Foy
MEMBER
South Florida
I can't approve them per se, but if they have evidence that they meet AC20-30B, I'll give them night, and if requested IFR.
Cardiff Kook
PATRON
Sisters, OR
This stuff work for certified cub? Need to update my lighting.
