Let There Be Light! (Duckworks HID Conversion kit)
 

Back when I was building my -8, Creativair had just come out with their wing-tip mounted 2" halogen landing light kit, and I really liked the idea of keep all the lighting in the tips, as well as not having to cut into my beautiful QB leading edge! (I have since learned that the leading edge lights are pretty easy to install, and quite robust and effective - I would not be averse to using then in the future.) The installation worked fine, and the lights function OK, but when people ask how well they work as landing lights, I really have to admit - not very well. There just isn't that much light to be had from those 2" halogens! While they are OK for landing on a well-light airport, I was very uncomfortable at the idea of coming home to our dark-hole of an airpark well after sunset.

I started with Creativair, as I had heard that Bill Vondane had developed an HID replacement kit, but alas, he is having supplier problems, and rather than promising what he can't deliver, he has taken the high road and suspended those kits until he can sort it out. When I saw that Van's was having a clearing house sale on the Duckworks HID kits, I went and looked at their site, and lo and behold, they had a drop-in replacement for the 2" "MR-16" halogen in an HID form. Yes, you have to install the ballast and wiring, but the basic mount for the lamp is exactly the same.

I ordered the unit Monday night on line, and got an email immediately saying that th kit would ship on Thursday. $250 included two lights, ballasts, and shipping - and it arrive yesterday via USPS - it's a plus that the postal service still delivers on Saturday!

The kits are very simple, and didn't require instructions - the only thing I had to do to prep for installation was to cut off the power input plug (looked like an automotive plug for which I didn't have a "mate" and install a nylon connector from my shop supply. Then it was on to removing the wingtips. To make a long story short, there were no surprises - I started removing the tip at about 2030 last night, had the first one installed and re-assembled in an hour, and took half that time on the second one. I opened up the hangar doors, connected some ground power to the airplane so I could do some aiming without worrying about running down the battery, and voil?' !! Instant sun!

Light measurements are very tricky, so I'll give an unscientific estimate that these things have GOBS more light than the halogens. I was able to light up my ramp, the runway, and the backyard of the neighbor across the runway from me. Aiming was a matter of trying not to blind myself with reflected light while trying to make adjustments. I aim one for tail-high (Landing), and one for tail-low (taxi).

I have heard and read concern over the effects of RFI on wing tip antennas, so on today's breakfast run, I played with the lights and both the Nav (in my right wing tip) and the #2 Comm (in my left. Yes, you can hear the lights on the Comm. But that antenna is marginal anyway (only good for about 30 miles), and I have been thinking about putting a second belly antenna on - I paid enough for th radio, it's silly not to have a good antenna! the Nav locked up on stations at normal ranges, regardless of the light being on or off.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with the lights, the kit, and the choice - If you really need light, HID seems to be the way to go! (More light, less power - better than a beer commercial)

Comparison of the Halogen (left) and HID (right) lamps:


Duckworks HID Ballast:


Ballast installed on the outboard rib with three screws - took minutes!


The HID Lamp fits right into the Creativeair holder (this is the Halogen bulb):



Paul

Thanks Paul
 

Good write up. I think I am going for a leading edge light for my 8A.

Giddy Up Paul!
 

I love the HID in my leading edge and I am working with a local builder to put 2 HID MR16's, and LED position lights in each wing tip.

Just to make sure the Feds are OK with all the light pollution for this bird, we have filed an environmental impact statement............

Yes I'm the local builder working with Pete on my lights and I just ordered the install kits from Van's and the lights from Don at Duckworks last night. ...trouble is, I paid $275 for each set if two M16's rather than $250. HMMMM - I'll have to call him and see what's up!

I'll be anxious to see how they look!

Paul - After seeing them, do you feel if aimed properly, they will throw enough light down the runway on very short final to see an obstruction? ...bunch of geese etc.?

- Peter

I took the plane up for a short flight last night just after sunset to see how much light they give under night conditions, but alas, I went up a little to early, so it wasn't dark enough to give a good answer. I'll try again soon - but now the moon is waxing, so getting a dark enough night might take awhile!

Paul

But can you see directly ahead at close range?
 

Paul et al,

I have been debating this very issue for some time so your post is timely (and appreciated)! I have a similar (Creativeair?) LED nav light kit with halogens to what your 4th photo shows. I love the idea of the wingtip lights due to their simplicity and non-impact to the leading edge, but I am concerned about the ability to aim them, especially inboard.

It always seemed to me that there was no way to aim the beam inboard of a line parallel to the plane's axis (in other words, you MIGHT be able to get these to point straight ahead, but you would NEVER be able to get them to point inward, i.e. in front of the nose), which would result in a significant blind (or unlit) spot directly ahead of the cockpit. This leaves me concerned that I may not be able to see and avoid potholes, chocks, and the like while taxiing. This seems to be the result of the geometry of the Vans fiberglass tip, as the wingtip mounting plane angles outward at a 20-30 degree angle, and the light kit can't angle in all that much.

Can you comment on whether you think this is true and / or whether you think this is a problem. I had been more or less convinced that to light up the area directly ahead of the pilot, one would need a cowl-mounted or a leading-edge mounted taxi / landing light and I would sure like to avoid both of these approaches.

Muchas Gracias...

Noah - you are right - there is an unlit spot directly ahead of the spinner, for the very reason that you mention - since the lights are recessed back in the wingtip, you can't really point towards center. However, there are a couple reasons why this doesn't bother me:

1) There is a lot of side-light/reflection - you don't really have a black area, just one with less light.

2) I fly a taildragger - you can't see directly ahead of you at close range anyways. And if you turn to get the nose out of the way, the light goes with it and you can see what is there.

Paul

I'm guessing that Paul bought the 35W bulbs. Those are $240 plus the $12 shipping would be about $250. I bought the 50W bulbs which were $275 plus the $12 shipping. I'm hopeful that they'll give enough light that I don't have to cut into my leading edge and install another one.

PJ Seipel
RV-10 #40032

Roger that! I spoke to Don today and that's exactly the case. The question now is on the XePulse Flasher and if it will wigwag two banks of two 50 watters! :confused: The specs say it will handle up to 200 watts per side and I'll only be at 100 per side. (200 watts of HID between both sides should be enough I think)

Don's not 100% sure it will work. All my gear shipped today so maybe I can test it in a few weeks and let you know. ...that will of course depend on the schedule of our local RV Electrical / Lighting Guru Pete Howell's schedule! ;) He truly is "DA MAN!"

- Peter

OK for the record my source on the XePulse spec was INCORRECT!!! The XePulse can take 70 watts per side. ...two 35W's would be fine but it's not set up to handle two 50W's.

Rumor has it (I said RUMOR not fact) that Don is working on an updated wigwag solution that might work with two 50W's.

I'll keep you posted.

- Peter