KitLog pro

Powered By Kitlog Pro v2.0

Rob's REBVAIR Project
' style=
Date:  2-15-2015
Number of Hours:  4.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  Panel Wiring Part 8: landing lights

I have long since known I wanted landing lights on the plane; not because I plan on flying a lot at night, but more for the enhanced safety and visibility of wig-wag lights in and around the airport. At aircraft spruce, such devices start around $289 per light (aeroled sunray, 10 W, 1000+ lumens).
This just didn't seem right to me: LEDs are flooding the market, with prices dropping every year...how could such a simple LED array cost $289 EACH?
I started to look into LED arrays on eBay, and quickly found an 18 watt flood light that puts out more lumens than the aeroled unit.... for $35 a PAIR! Add a CEC EF30AL LED flasher unit for $15 (Image 2), and 4 1N5818 Schottky diodes, and I had a pretty robust wig-wag or continuous landing light set up for less than $60.
There were some modifications to reduce the weight (Image 1). Each lamp came in at a beefy 16 Oz (example on the left). When compared to the Aeroled weights and design, I realized the degree of heat-sinking on my units was probably overkill for this application, especially since these would be sheltered from the elements in the wing-tips. So 5 minutes at the band saw brought the weight of each lamp down to 6 oz.

I test-wired the whole thing up on the bench (Schematic in Image 3) and it worked marvelously! The flasher makes the same noise as it would in your car, which will not likely be heard over aviation headsets and the din of a running engine. Even if I do hear it, it'll remind me that the unit is on, which is not a bad thing. I also let the lights sit in continuous mode for an hour to see if I cut back too many cooling fins, but the units never got too hot to touch. Supported on analuminum bracket in the wing, I don't expect any issues, especially since they won't see the 'continuous' use for very long durations (taxiing, take-off, landing). This was a rewarding mini-project, and a reminder of the benefits to amateur-built aircraft!
' style=

16 v. 6 oz

16 v. 6 oz

' style=

CEC EF30AL flasher unit

CEC EF30AL flasher unit

' style=




' style=










Copyright © 2001-2024 Matronics. All Rights Reserved.