Anyone Add a Second Landing Light?

[cactusman]

Working on my wings and I was just wondering if anyone added a second landing light for the wigwag function in the other wing.

Am thinking about running extra wires for a future mod and wondering if there is any issues with the wiring?

Spacing for wiring?

Voltage/draw issues?

Issues with stall warning vs landing light, etc?

Maybe the answer yea or nay will present itself as I progress.

[rvbuilder2002]

A decision was made to not market a second (right side) Skyview screen based on available surplus of the alternator output. I imagine the power requirements of a a second landing light would be a similar concern.

[cactusman]

Originally Posted by rvbuilder2002

A decision was made to not market a second (right side) Skyview screen based on available surplus of the alternator output. I imagine the power requirements of a a second landing light would be a similar concern.

Interesting...any idea what the surplus amps are?

I see the sky view consumption is 3.5 amps (plus more for batt backup), but the AeroSun is 2.5 amps max.....and I can power it with a 9V battery.

If the wigwag function is used - only one light at a time would be lighted also in theory.

[J.Coles]

I have placed a second light. You will be surprised how much extra wiring is needed. I did it for a few reasons. The main one was I think the plane looks strange with one light. Second reason was to take advantage of the wing wag.

At this stage in the wing wag mode I feel it wont use any extra power. It might be a problem if you wanted to run with both lights on at the same time. I have not used it yet to provide you with any more information. My sky view was powered up yesterday for the first time. I didn't have the wings on to test the lights. I may be able to give you some more information when the LAME does that check.

Cheers
Julian 120316

[erikpmort]

Aero led sells beautiful lights that wag and will reduce or use much less energy than your current set up. I had one for my Varieze it was awesome.

http://www.aeroleds.com/products/lan...erimental.aspx

[aerofurb]

Erik, the thread concerns the RV-12 that uses AeroLed lights as 'standard' - but the lighting kit includes just one AeroSun landing light.

You are correct in that they are awesome!

[Ralph Inkster]

If yours is a tail dragger, it's pretty much needed to have two lights. One aimed for landing configuration, (to light up the runway on approach), & the second would be aimed lower for effective Taxiing.
If you are an 'A' model, you could get away with one landing light, aim it about 150ft down the taxiway for taxiing & it is about the right angle for seeing the runway on approach.
Adding the second light does look better, offers better lighting & recognition, does give the option of WigWag for more safety, & wire really doesn't weigh that much...
As for the surplus amperage item mentioned above, he is talking about totalling up all the power requirements of all your onboard equipment (radios, efiss, boost pumps, lights, pitot, etc) & seeing if your alternator can keep up with some surplus safety factor.

[Avenger V]

I installed the left wing landing light but I am just using the pulse and landing. My Viking engine has a forty amp alt. so not worried about amps. Yesterday was the first day I flew after a long grounding with the landing gear SB. The one problem I notices was the pulse noise in my head sets. I'll call Vans tomorrow to see how to remove.
Ron Russ RV12 Viking

[N223JH]

I installed a left wing landing light after my 5 hours were up on my ELSA RV-12. I have the Dynon 180. Since I knew this would be added, I ran a pull-string thru the left wing grommets during the wing build.

I guess Vans saved 1/2 an ounce total by using small grommets but it was a chore getting the wire in there with the nav, strobe and stall vane wires. Fuel lube and creative cussing got the job done. Took this opportunity to install conventional electrical connectors in place of the Mickey Mouse set-up at the wing roots.

My plane has neither Skyview nor autopilot. No electrical problems noted. I use the wig-wag for TO and landing only. No night flight so I can't speak to extended use current draw. Expensive add-on but visibility in the pattern is priceless.

Jim
RV-12 #264
flying 154 hours

[DonFromTX]

I expect to add one also like my friends Jim and Ron have done. Just seems to be a better visibility factor for the buck, and that is the only reasons us old pilots flying on our drivers license can use it for, since we cannot fly at night (of course we cannot help it if we misjudge our sunset time once in a while)