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  #11  
Old 03-30-2009, 09:46 AM
chaskuss chaskuss is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: SE Florida
Posts: 1,499
Default Needed lens and retainer found on next page of link

Quote:
Originally Posted by jthocker View Post
I just checked, and I have the Pro series 606 Str. n Mr 60 watt pwr supply.
So maybe all I need is the Lens and retainer.
Looks like a comparable system might then be had for half the Whelen price!

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...robeparts1.php
Jon,
Glad to hear that you can improve your system without buying the whole thing.
Two items to mention. The lens and retainer I mentioned in my previous post can be found here.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...robeparts2.php

Jon's link above is one page before. When I purchased my lens several years ago, Vans price was nearly $10 cheaper than it is now, so I bought the lens from them. The price difference for the lens is only 50 cents between ACS and Vans now. Vans doesn't carry the retainer, so it's really cheaper just to get both parts from ACS, to save on shipping. You might want to call Vans in regards to the A628 retainer. They may now carry it, or would consider carrying it, if they perceive a demand for it. ACS part number for the lens is A612.

The second item is that Jon's Nova power supply will produce full power for a two strobe head system, but will be reduced to half power on two of the three strobes if used on a 3 strobe head system. This is because two of the strobe heads will be forced to "share" one discharge capacitor. If you plan on three strobes, get a 90 watt (or higher) 6 strobe system.

A nice feature of the Nova systems (I think the Whelen automotive systems also have this) is the ability to select different flash patterns and to reduce to intensity of the strobe flash. Reducing the intensity can come in handy while flying in or near clouds or at night. Reflected strobe flash is a bad thing.
Charlie Kuss
PS If anyone finds lower prices at another vendor, please post it to this thread.

Last edited by chaskuss : 03-30-2009 at 09:48 AM. Reason: edited previous post location
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  #12  
Old 03-30-2009, 10:46 AM
wv4i wv4i is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Palm Beach County, FL
Posts: 304
Default Whelen coverage chart

I believe Whelen publishes a chart that shows required visibility coverage swathes for strobes and nav lights, i.e. above/below/behind/ahead. With a RV-9, you may be able to get by with wingtip mounted combo nav/strobe lites (i.e. Whelen) if you have the tip extension. Alternatively, you may need both wingtip and tail strobe/nav combos.

As to power supplies/strobe units, the Strobes N More unit works great. I seem to recall it pulls 8A, and control circuit an additional amp or two (was on 1st RV6). Sure those specs on their site.

The other very important item is good quality shielded cables to the strobes with very good grounding of shield. Else radio RFI could result.
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Link McGarity
Wellington, FL (FD38)
RV6/N42GF bought flying, sold
RV6/N72AT bought flying, sold
B737-800/NxxxAN
Sonex TD w/Aerovee/N732SX bought flying
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  #13  
Old 03-30-2009, 11:03 AM
RScott RScott is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Estacada, OR
Posts: 787
Default

With some more research, I found that according to 'Lectric Bob, the FAA requires 20 Joules at each bulb.

If I get all my questions answered, I'll post a comprehensive discussion of what I learn.

I hope someone will address my original questions, one by one.
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Richard Scott
RV-9A Fuselage
1941 Interstate Cadet
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  #14  
Old 03-30-2009, 12:13 PM
vlittle's Avatar
vlittle vlittle is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Victoria, Canada
Posts: 2,251
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by chaskuss View Post
Jon,
Do you have Whelen strobe heads? If not, do you have the Whelen strobe lens placed over your Strobes N' More strobe bulbs (aka heads)? The Strobes N' More units do not come with any lens. The Whelen lens diverts most of the light into the horizontal plane, as specified by the FARs. Without a lens, more light is lost to the vertical plane.
Which Nova power supply do you have? (model number) Their less expensive ones only put out half the power of the more expensive units (which equal the Whelens).

Charlie Kuss
My experience with the Whelen lens underneath the plexi on the wingtip of my RV-9A is that it lead to excessive heat buildup and cracking of the strobe tubes (both in the same place).

I have removed the quartz lens and rtv'd the strobe base in place. So far, so good.


Vern
__________________
===========
V e r n. ====
=======
RV-9A complete
Harmon Rocket complete
S-21 wings complete
Victoria, BC (Summer)
Chandler, Az (Winter)
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  #15  
Old 03-30-2009, 03:35 PM
fkyser fkyser is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Enterprise, Alabama
Posts: 6
Default Anyone researched the new Whelen Vertex Lights?

Has anyone researched the new Whelen Vertex Lights? I talked with a salesperson today for Fleet Safety about strobes, and I told him that I was going to use it on my RV7A that I am building. He recomended the new Vertex Lights. I was just wondering if anyone has any input on them. From what I understand they are fairly new on the market.

Quote:
Originally Posted by chaskuss View Post
Jon,
Glad to hear that you can improve your system without buying the whole thing.
Two items to mention. The lens and retainer I mentioned in my previous post can be found here.

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...robeparts2.php

Jon's link above is one page before. When I purchased my lens several years ago, Vans price was nearly $10 cheaper than it is now, so I bought the lens from them. The price difference for the lens is only 50 cents between ACS and Vans now. Vans doesn't carry the retainer, so it's really cheaper just to get both parts from ACS, to save on shipping. You might want to call Vans in regards to the A628 retainer. They may now carry it, or would consider carrying it, if they perceive a demand for it. ACS part number for the lens is A612.

The second item is that Jon's Nova power supply will produce full power for a two strobe head system, but will be reduced to half power on two of the three strobes if used on a 3 strobe head system. This is because two of the strobe heads will be forced to "share" one discharge capacitor. If you plan on three strobes, get a 90 watt (or higher) 6 strobe system.

A nice feature of the Nova systems (I think the Whelen automotive systems also have this) is the ability to select different flash patterns and to reduce to intensity of the strobe flash. Reducing the intensity can come in handy while flying in or near clouds or at night. Reflected strobe flash is a bad thing.
Charlie Kuss
PS If anyone finds lower prices at another vendor, please post it to this thread.
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  #16  
Old 03-31-2009, 10:52 PM
fkyser fkyser is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Enterprise, Alabama
Posts: 6
Default

Has anyone researched the new Whelen Vertex Lights? I talked with a salesperson today for Fleet Safety about strobes, and I told him that I was going to use it on my RV7A that I am building. He recomended the new Vertex Lights. I was just wondering if anyone has any input on them. From what I understand they are fairly new on the market.
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