Landing Lights for a flying Patrol

[kestrel]

I happened to have my wing top off so I took some pictures. It is a very simple and effective installation. No signs of water, not heavy, not complex, just works and works well. Perhaps could have been done with flush screws?

All the extra wiring and boxes are because I have HID lights. They made sense 6 years ago when I upgraded from the halogens, but today I would put in LEDs. I bought one of these to try in our RV-4:

https://www.larsenlights.com/par-36-hi-lo

If works well, I"ll buy three more to finish out the RV-4 and replace the 2 HIDs in the Bearhawk. I might have heard about them in another thread here?

[John Bickham]

Thanks for posting this. Any details on the housing/holder?

I'm trying to make the decision on location and weighing all the pro's and con's. I actually tried forming a lexan lens for the wingtips. The wife went on a trip and several us commandeered the kitchen stove, Russ Erb style. . Made several tries with less than adequate results. Any suggestions or details on wingtip lenses in actual installations?

[kestrel]

Thanks for posting this. Any details on the housing/holder?

For the lexan or the bulb?

The lexan is held in place with an aluminum strip at the top an bottom rear. Screws through the lexan and aluminum in to riveted nut plates. There is a strip of some sort of sealant/glue around the perimeter of the lexan, so it may be difficult to remove. Access is easy so removal isn't a concern and I see no signs of leakage.

The bulb mount is easier to see in the picture. A few strips of aluminum that offer place for hte adjustment/mounting screws. I don't know the source of the band around the bulb, but I'm sure there are numerous options.

A follow-up on the LED bulb I linked above. I'm not a fan. The beam is spread too much and doesn't penetrate for distance. It is adequate, but not what I'm looking for. I just ordered another singe/sample bulb. I'll report back after trying it:

https://www.aero-lites.com/product-page/sunsetter-ultra-g2-landing-light

Larsen lights does offer this which should be better than the one i tried:

https://www.larsenlights.com/high-output-par-36-spot-beam

[PaulSA]

Have a look at my latest post - shouldn't be difficult as a retro-fit.

[kestrel]

The Aero-Lites SunSetter Ultra G2 looks like a winner. In the picture, the left is the SunSetter at about 40 Watts. The right is a standard aircraft 100 Watt Halogen. I'll be order more of these to replace my other landing lights. My wife did a few night landings this evening in her RV-4 and approves.

[Cwilson]

New hanger looks great Tyson! I just bought a Patrol Quick build kit hope to get together with you soon and get some ideas an suggestions. Carl. ( the guy on lake Potanipo with the Stearman )

[kestrel]

Wow! Welcome to the Bearhawk club! I was thinking, "...Cwilson... ?? Carl ?? This rings a bell..." But on this forum you were out of context! My first suggestion for you is float fittings. ;-) Come by and see the hangar!