LED landing/taxi lights

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Rezrider
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LED landing/taxi lights

Post by Rezrider »

Has anyone here got LED bulbs on their Maule? If so then lets hear which ones you've got and the good, bad, ugly on the bulbs' performance.
How about pulse lights? Love, it hate it, worth the expense?
I'm installing the second landing light at this year's annual and may go LED at the same time. Kinda $$$ though!
Your thoughts?
RR
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Hottshot
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Post by Hottshot »

Worth every penny. See and be seen!! They work less draw and more light. Highly recommend, don't have make or model but the difference is huge. Also big yes on pulse lights for same reason.


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st8cop166
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Post by st8cop166 »

Absolutely agree. Have the Pulse Lights AND the LED's. Leave them on all the time. Have had many good comments and have heard conflicting traffic comment to ATC that they had me in sight much quicker than usual before I had the Pulse Light System. Whelen LED Light Par 36 @ $231 each at Knots 2 U. Cheapest place I've found.
Former Maule owner . . .twice
1960 PA18 N87314

Rezrider
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Post by Rezrider »

How about those AeroLED's with the built in pulse system? then you get a 3 position switch and don't have to buy a pulse unit?
Does that seem feasible? It seems like a good way to go.
1980 M5-235
Four Corners

st8cop166
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Post by st8cop166 »

Wow. Those are nice but a little rich for me. $750 ea? Did I read that right? I guess when you figure the Pulse Light System, plus the install and the LED lights, you probably break even.
Former Maule owner . . .twice
1960 PA18 N87314

Rezrider
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Post by Rezrider »

The AeroLED's are about $440 each so very expensive when you have to buy two. Nice to have the pulse feature built into the bulb though.
Perhaps I could buy one now then the other in a few months time if there is a sale or something.
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crbnunit
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Post by crbnunit »

I have the Whelens also. Installed them with a pulse system after a close call or two. They last forever, very bright and the pulse system really gets your attention. An aircraft head-on is very difficult to spot. Any advantage you can give yourself is worth the price. I think I got mine for $187 each. I don't remember where though.
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Post by andy »

I have the Whelen Parmethius PLED1L landing light. Love it. I use it a lot during the day more than I did the Q4509 since I'm not worried about it burning out just when I need it. It's brighter and draws much less current. Not affected by vibration like a filament light.
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Undaunted
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Post by Undaunted »

At EAA this year we purchased the new and updated Promethius Plus. Part number P36P1L for the 14V landing light. They are reportedly 40 % brighter than the previous Promethius, they are a drop in replacement and they have a new STC for them as well.



Here is the STC:
http://www.whelen.com/pb/Aviation/STC/S ... 0344BO.pdf

A 10 minute install and they are in and look great, a huge improvement over the 4509's. We now fly with them on all the time, and they make the plane much easier to spot in the air and work great for landing and taxi. As you noted, they are a bit on the spendy side.

Show special pricing was $225 ea.
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LT4247
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Post by LT4247 »

Do the mounts have to be re-aimed for the LED lights or is the aiming point the same as the Q4509?
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Post by pilot »

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Undaunted
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Post by Undaunted »

Right now I am using the same aiming as the old lights. So far living this far north there has not been a lot of night flying yet. As this is changing rapidly I will be taking a closer look at the aiming. Having said that I bought the plane in late April and am not sure if the old lights were set where I would want them.

I was cautioned to make sure if one buys these lights from anyone to make sure you get the NEW ones not the old ones as there is a bit supply of the first version out there. I listed the new model number above. They can be identified by the color of the back of the lamp, one is gray the other is black, but I forgot which I have ? If I am in there adjusting them I will post the color.
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gbarrier
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Post by gbarrier »

Is there a Maule drawing number for the Whelen landing lights. Also, what P/N?

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galtpilot
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LED lights

Post by galtpilot »

I just installed the Whelen Prometheous Plus bulbs in my M5. I found the wig wag controller used on eBay for $100. Knots to us sells them for $450. Haven't got the wig wag installed yet. Hopefully tomorrow. I made one flight at night and they are definitely brighter than the 4509 bulbs. Pricey but I fly in the Chicago metro area and there is a lot of traffic around here.

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Duane
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Post by Duane »

The print with the Whelen lights is 9030E rev G.

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