Whelen vs Aeroflash

Rick RV-4 · #1 10-16-2007, 10:04 AM

About to order my lights - in either case I'm going with the "all in one" NAV/STROBE/POSITION light package, just to keep it simple.

Anyone have any pros or cons about the lighting packages from either of these companies? Looks like the Aeroflash units are about $200 cheaper, so I'm planning on going that route unless I hear some bad stuff about them.

Also, when wiring these lights, I'm planning on using a switch for NAV and POSITION together, and then a separate switch for the STROBES (I know you can use a progressive switch to do this but I'd like to keep them separate). Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance . . .

Rick

alpinelakespilot2000 · #2 10-16-2007, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick RV-4

Also, when wiring these lights, I'm planning on using a switch for NAV and POSITION together, and then a separate switch for the STROBES (I know you can use a progressive switch to do this but I'd like to keep them separate). Any thoughts?

I think this is a good idea and is how I am wiring mine. I don't think progressive switches make sense here, even though I think I saw something in Aeroelectric Bob's book suggesting this. There are going to be times when you want the nav lights on but no strobes (in clouds, for example), and times when you want strobes but no nav lights (daytime, for example).

frankh · #3 10-16-2007, 01:24 PM

I had nothing but trouble with my Aeroflash power supplies...I got real good at replacing capacitors.

So far the strobe package from www.creativeair.com (he buys them from police supply outfit that advertise on the web) has be trouble free.

Frank

Mel · #4 10-16-2007, 01:59 PM

I've been running AeroFlash strobes since the early '80s with no problems. My RV-6 will soon turn 15 years old and the AeroFlash strobes are still going.
The secret of strobes is to keep them working. Strobe power supplies that sit for months tend to have the capacitors go bad.
I have a set of strobes for my bi-plane on the shelf. I plug them in and let them run at least once a month.

Rick RV-4 · #5 10-16-2007, 02:38 PM

Thanks so far guys . . .

Mel, the gal I talked to at Aeroflash said the same thing. She said they were backlogged about 6 weeks, but encouraged me not to buy until I was just about ready to fly due to the "aging" effect on the components. Guess this is what she was talking about.

Curious to see if anyone has had this problem with the Whelen products.

frankh · #6 10-16-2007, 03:39 PM

Zodiac drivers had the same issue with the Aeroflash Power supplies.

frank

Chino Tom · #7 10-17-2007, 08:30 AM

I've got Whelen individual power packs in the tips of my -6. 9 years and 800+ hours with not one issue. They have always worked when the switch is up!
That being said, I'm going to buy the Aeroflash for my -8 (heh). Hard to justify the price difference.

JoeBlank · #8 10-17-2007, 11:23 PM

400+ hours on my doubleflash units and no problems. Also put a set of them on my old C-170B which operated for several hundred hours with no issues before I sold it. YMMV....

carguy614 · #9 10-18-2007, 06:41 AM

My AI buddy tells me that the Whelen products see far fewer service issues than the Aeroflash. I personally like the flash pattern of the Whelen Comet power supply, but they take a while to form up the caps if they sit idle for long periods. Good idea to turn them on during preflight runup to keep them in shape.
HTH...Chris

DSmith · #10 10-18-2007, 08:36 AM

Whelen will soon have A650s with LED nav lights available. Will be a different P/N.
Danny