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  #1  
Old 12-07-2008, 12:24 PM
T.O.Craig T.O.Craig is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 165
Smile LED lighting

I'm to the point where it is time to order lighting for my wings. HID from Duck Works for the leading edge. I have already bought Vans Landing lights in the tips which I will also keep and maybe oscillate. There will also be strobes at the tip. The real question is, has anyone used LEDs for position lights and how effective are they. Any input would be appreciated. Good to be back in the forum
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Craig Rufi
FLYING NOW AFTER 13+ YEARS. NICE FLYING AIRCRAFT!!
RV-10/Empennage/Wings/QB Fuselage/Wiring/Doors done finally, Cowling done. Stein panel complete, and connecting all those wires :-))Thousand Oaks, Ca. Dues paid for 2019
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  #2  
Old 12-07-2008, 03:00 PM
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craigvince craigvince is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Stockton, CA
Posts: 1,207
Default

There are several recent threads on LED lighting for RVs, including links to the various manufacturers. Do a search on "LED" and see what pops up.
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  #3  
Old 12-07-2008, 04:48 PM
T.O.Craig T.O.Craig is offline
 
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Posts: 165
Default LED

I will see what I can find. Thanks for the tip
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Craig Rufi
FLYING NOW AFTER 13+ YEARS. NICE FLYING AIRCRAFT!!
RV-10/Empennage/Wings/QB Fuselage/Wiring/Doors done finally, Cowling done. Stein panel complete, and connecting all those wires :-))Thousand Oaks, Ca. Dues paid for 2019
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  #4  
Old 12-07-2008, 06:52 PM
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bweiss bweiss is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 155
Default led lighting

I am using LED for my nav lights. SInce the lights are fairly narrow beam it is important that you orient them in multiple directions. Last night I was following another RV into oiur airport at dusk and he saw me land. His comment was that my nav lights worked wonderfully and he had no problem seeing me.
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  #5  
Old 12-07-2008, 09:17 PM
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petehowell petehowell is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 2,269
Default Roll your own!!

Here is a link to some lights that look an awful lot like what Bernie has in his wingtips. No complaints on not being able to be seen.

Cost is not bad for some luxeon LEDs and a big resistor. I have 380 hours on mine and I run them pretty much night and day.





More pics here.......
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Amateur Plane - RV-9A N789PH - 2350+ Hrs
Amateur Radio - KD0CVN
Doggies Delivered - 25+
St. Paul, MN
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  #6  
Old 12-08-2008, 07:32 PM
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petehowell petehowell is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 2,269
Default LED Stuff

Hello - I've been gettting quite a few PMs asking about the materials used to make the LED nav lights. Here is the scoop:

Here are the resistors you need: link

here are the Green LEDS: (use cyan, not green) link

here are the Red LEDs: link

The luxeons should be mounted to an AL sheet with heat conducting, but electrically insulating compound: link

Mirrored Plexi can be found here: link

Here is the schematic:




More construction pics here

Questions:

Do they meet the FARs? - No idea - but they are crazy bright

Do they get too hot? - Mine have not - I run them whenever I fly - no issues in almost 400 hrs - the resistor tends to underdrive the LEDs. The resistor gets warm, but not hot.

Total cost? - LED prices seem to vary a bunch - I have about $60-$70 in both sides of mine.

My standard 1 beer fee applies - payable in the upper midwest (during the summer)........
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Pete

Amateur Plane - RV-9A N789PH - 2350+ Hrs
Amateur Radio - KD0CVN
Doggies Delivered - 25+
St. Paul, MN

Last edited by petehowell : 12-27-2008 at 09:50 AM.
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  #7  
Old 12-20-2008, 11:56 PM
Flying Scotsman Flying Scotsman is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,256
Default

Your links are broken...

Quote:
Originally Posted by petehowell View Post
here are the Green LEDS: (use cyan, not green) link

here are the Red LEDs: link
Are the parts these?

http://www.luxeonstar.com/luxeon-iii...00ma-p-281.php

http://www.luxeonstar.com/luxeon-iii...00ma-p-282.php
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RV-7A N660WS flying!
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  #8  
Old 12-21-2008, 12:13 AM
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craigvince craigvince is offline
 
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Location: Stockton, CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Scotsman View Post

Hi Steve,
Those are the ones I just ordered.
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  #9  
Old 12-21-2008, 12:32 AM
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petehowell petehowell is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 2,269
Default Fixed the Links

Not sure what happened - those are the right ones.
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Pete

Amateur Plane - RV-9A N789PH - 2350+ Hrs
Amateur Radio - KD0CVN
Doggies Delivered - 25+
St. Paul, MN
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  #10  
Old 12-21-2008, 11:57 AM
striplic striplic is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 14
Default Forward Voltage Total

Question: How does the cyan led with 3.9 forward voltage work when you only have a 12 V (14.4 V) supply? The total for 4 leds adds up to 15.6 volts. I don't doubt they light up as you have demonstrated, but why/how? I understand very little about electronics (perhaps only enough to get me into trouble) and can use the help in understanding. I want to use leds in my wingtips also. Thanks! Cliff
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