Melting Wingtip Lens...time for LEDs?

[mike3715]

My RV7 appears to have a "standard" lighting install, and the builder may have place the strobes a tad close to the lens, resulting in some melting.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3541muaQipAKrM9H2

I'm planning to replace the lenses, but think it's about time to upgrade to LEDs. https://www.teamaerodynamix.com/shop...ight-wing-tip/ seems like a pretty good deal with decent documentation.

Anyone have any experience and/or recommendations upgrading the standard intstall to LEDs? Thanks!

Mike

[Larco]

Not a big deal really, the wires are already there. If you have the power supplies on the wing tip it's probably easier, if you have the main strobe power supply in the fuselage then you can connect the proper wires together when removing the power supply. IIRC all three strobe wires were not needed but left the harness in place rather than running new wires. Maybe 2 were necessary?

[alcladrv]

You've got a whole lot more screws holding those lenses on than necessary. I've got 1 screw in the corner on both top and bottom, 2 screws total, that have held without any issues for 1300 hrs.

[Ironflight]

I recently did a full LED upgrade on the Valkyrie using the kits from Team Aerodynamix, and it all worked out well. Yes, a little re-wiring in the fuselage where I had the single strobe power supply, but all the conductors you need are already pulled, so it's just doing a little re-assignment at the ends.

It was about a one day job to change everything - strobes, nav, and landing lights.

[mike3715]

Thanks for the info!

Agreed on the number of screws....I try to look on the upside and say the builder/previous owner left me a bunch of spares on the wingtip

[RV8Squaz]

Originally Posted by mike3715

My RV7 appears to have a "standard" lighting install, and the builder may have place the strobes a tad close to the lens, resulting in some melting.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/3541muaQipAKrM9H2

I'm planning to replace the lenses, but think it's about time to upgrade to LEDs. https://www.teamaerodynamix.com/shop...ight-wing-tip/ seems like a pretty good deal with decent documentation.

Anyone have any experience and/or recommendations upgrading the standard intstall to LEDs? Thanks!

Mike

Don't blame the builder. On those old style wingtip nav/strobe installations, there isn't much wiggle room, maybe 1/4" in either direction. I've got mine as centered as they could be and my lights still melted the lens on a hot day. I replaced the lenses and now I don't turn them on until just prior to taking the runway and they're the first thing I turn off when clear.

[mike3715]

Good to know leaving light off a bit longer can fix the problem. And my apologies to the builder for implying blame!

[flyboy1963]

My tip lenses were melted much like yours, by the nav light focusing the suns rays on the lens.
....of course, you'd have to be outside for this to happen.
I replaced the lens, and covered the bulb when not in use, solved my problem.

[snopercod]

OT but I noticed you have some of that white stuff on the inside of your strobe lense. On mine, I went to clean it out and solvent wouldn't touch it. I had to use 600 grit wet-or-dry to remove the stuff.