Whelen releases NEW LED Landing light and test data

Kahuna · #1 07-13-2014, 10:34 PM

Whelen has released its new PAR 36 Plus Landing and Taxi light for your round hole leading edge lights. These new lights are 40% brighter than previous versions, greater than 40% brighter than the competitors, and were also tested by a 3rd party lab for performance. You may have seen this thread on the strobe performance against competitors and this article on the subject.
Below is the data from the test lab on the performance of the new Par 36 Plus LED landing lights. A fancy brochure on the lights here. These lights are now available with leading edge kits as well as individually. Light has a new release price of $240.00.
Compare price, Compare performance. Compare quality.

Clarkie · #2 07-13-2014, 11:33 PM

Can I trade the one I/we just installed and the one yet to be installed??

kjlpdx · #3 07-14-2014, 12:09 AM

so is the total light output the area under each curve? next question, is 60,000 that much more usable than 40,000? I have no idea. how does this compare to a car headlight, for instance?

az_gila · #4 07-14-2014, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjlpdx

so is the total light output the area under each curve? next question, is 60,000 that much more usable than 40,000? I have no idea. how does this compare to a car headlight, for instance?

A certified, old-fashioned 12v aircraft 4509 bulb is 110,000 candela, so LEDs are almost getting there in light output.

The 4509s have a 12 degree horizontal angle (presumably at the 50% output point) so the Whelen LED one is about the same or perhaps a bit less.

LEDs have them beat on price, lifetime, power used and heat though.

tomhanaway · #5 07-14-2014, 11:20 AM

Do the new lights have a pulse feature built in or do they require a separate wig-wag box?

Kahuna · #6 07-14-2014, 11:32 AM

Flashing with LED's can be tricky due to the wide variety of light loads. Whelen's Model 71700 is an electronic solid state light flasher (no noise) for use with Whelen LED lighting products. The flasher operates two outputs steady on or will flash outputs alternately. This has the operating ability to handle up to 5 amps of power. Sure is great to have a purpose built wig-wag flasher specifically for LED products! Wiring diagram is here.
Experimental use only
Weight 0.14 lbs
Dimensions H x W x L 0.54? (14mm) x 2.04? (52mm) x 2.74? (70mm)
Operating Voltages 14 or 28 VDC
Combined Alternating Flash Rate 90 FPM (+ / - 10 FPM)

flytoboat · #7 07-14-2014, 02:41 PM

Will the VP-X wig-wag circuit work with these lights?

Kahuna · #8 07-14-2014, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flytoboat

Will the VP-X wig-wag circuit work with these lights?

You would have to check with the Vertical Power folks. You can advise them that each PAR36 Plus Light at 14v pulls ~1.2 amps. With that they should be able to tell you if it was designed for the low amp draw of LED landing lights.