LED's in wingtip?

ScottSchmidt · #1 10-03-2008, 01:46 PM

I am looking for alternatives to my wingtip lights in my RV-10. I have the HID lights from duckworks in my wings and the stock Van's bulbs in my wingtips and it seems like they burn out quite often.

What I really want is a bright LED that I can wig wag in my wingtips and then have my HID's for landing.
I've thought about the HID's from Planelights.com but recently found these on the website below.

http://www.theledlight.com/12volt-led-bulb.html

It looks like they will fit the standard Van's wingtip assembly. Has anyone tried these? Are there better options out there?

Also, what wig wag systems works the best?

Dean_aeroleds · #2 10-03-2008, 02:12 PM

Have you looked at our AeroSUNLite units? They have built-in wig-wag functionality.

http://www.aeroleds.com

Dean Wilkinson

Norman CYYJ · #3 10-03-2008, 08:10 PM

The MR-16 LED replacements work really well except they generate so much noise that they will render your radios to being useless. I had to modify the ones in my plane to make them work and would not do it again.

ScottSchmidt · #4 10-03-2008, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean_aeroleds

Have you looked at our AeroSUNLite units? They have built-in wig-wag functionality.

http://www.aeroleds.com

Dean Wilkinson

Dean, I have seen your products and visited your booth at Oshkosh.
I am looking for an economic solution. I don't use my wingtip lights right now since I use my HID's work so great. I am also trying to find something I can easily retrofit into my wingtip.

Your systems look very nice and appear to be very high quality.
Great products!

ScottSchmidt · #5 10-03-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman CYYJ

The MR-16 LED replacements work really well except they generate so much noise that they will render your radios to being useless. I had to modify the ones in my plane to make them work and would not do it again.

Thanks for the comments on that.
I'll keep looking and thinking about a solution.

petehowell · #6 10-03-2008, 09:58 PM

Hi Scott,

I just changed out the halogens in my tips for MR-16 LEDs. I am not experiencing any noise. This model MR-16 has 3 Cree 1W LEDS and are very bright. I think they are good for recognition, but not so good to see a long ways out in front. I have an HID for that.

I paid about $25 each and am satisfied with them. These will not give as much light as the MR-16 75W halogens, but will run cooler, draw less amps, and last a long time. I think it was a good $60 exchange.

Next, I am looking to buy/make a strobe/wigwag module for these LED's.

rleffler · #7 10-04-2008, 04:50 AM

Scott,

There are a group of us that are currently experimenting with Nova W600s and X1100s for position lights and strobes. CreativAir also has a new product line based upon the W600s.

These LEDs also have a strobe mode. In the strobe mode, they do appear to radiate some noise. Shielding the in line circuit appears to minimize the radiant noise. I'm currently looking to buy/borrow an ocilliscope to see if anything is on the wires themselves. Since I'm quite a way off from flying, I can't comment on radio interference yet. I would think that if you are going to leave them in the solid on mode and use an external wig wag flasher, you should be fine.

Nova claims that the X1100 can output over 1,100 lumens.

http://www.strobesnmore.com/nova-w600-hide-a-led.html

http://www.strobesnmore.com/nova-x1100-hide-a-led.html

http://www.creativair.com/position-s...tem-p-104.html

http://www.strobe.com/index.php?opti...d=55&Itemid=32

If anyone is interested in joining the off board discussion on testing these products, PM or email me.

bob

DanH · #8 10-04-2008, 06:28 AM

Hmmm, noise and no noise.

Pete, what brand/source/vendor for your MR-16's? Norman, how about yours?

Norman CYYJ · #9 10-04-2008, 09:10 AM

The problem with the MR-16 replacement is the DC-DC inverter in them. They generate a lot of noise. If the raio signal is strong you will hear just fine but on distant stations forget it. I have looked at the noise on the DC line feeding them with a scope and it is terrible. The inductors in the inverter are too small and are saturated. Also there is no filtering in the circuit to speak of. The inverter is built into the base of the lamp incase you are wondering where it is.

L.Adamson · #10 10-04-2008, 09:35 AM

I was flat out told, a few weeks ago, that my old style strobe location, which are mounted about halfway back on the outboard edges of the wing tips; are a lot easier to see than the new built in types on the front corner. And I can see why! The wing tips just hide part of the strobe light. Mine might not look as fancy, but appear to be more visual. Just something to keep in mind.

L.Adamson