Very Reasonably Priced LED Landing Lights?

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Sat Nov 07, 2015 10:50 am

Talk with YellowMaule. See if he is still happy with his choice of landing lights.

Pbfl510 · Post by **Pbfl510** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:26 pm

AJ,

I also chatted with the Teledyne guys, specifically Jonathan Muro. He now has the drawings and has sent them to his FAA contact. He said it should take a couple of months to get the approval since they have a good relationship with them.

We'll see.

I have not looked at all the specs, but what are some of the major differences between the Alphabeams and Prometheus Plus? Which one would you recommend?

Thanks,

PB

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 7:21 am

The Alpha Beams are much brighter, by far brightest LED Landing Light that I've seen... Priced about the same, non polarity, etc...

ajak · Post by **ajak** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 8:38 pm

I'm afraid I can't comment on the Whelen (Prometheus Plus) vs. AlphaBeam LED lights, as I haven't had the chance to directly compare them. My neighbor has switched over to the Rigid PAR36, though (Model 62010. Watts: 40, Ampere Draw: 2.90, LED's 4, Lumens: 3400). I was pretty much sold after watching him land in his VERY lighted up C-180 a while back- he had a Rigid landing light mounted in each wingtip, and the Prometheus Plus lights in both standard nose light mounts. From the ground while he was on approach, the Rigids appeared much brighter.

I just got a 337 approval for the Rigids, and am in the process of changing over from the old incandescents now. Here are a couple of comparison pictures I just took from inside my hangar, pointing across the taxiway. Hopefully I can get them to post... It was pitch dark outside, and there was no supplementary lighting on the taxiway.

Camera on tripod right in front of prop spinner. There was a bit more light from the incandescent than what it looks like, but it definitely looked dim next to the LED:

AJ

Mountain Doctor · Post by **Mountain Doctor** » Wed Dec 09, 2015 10:04 pm

My word that's impressive.

gbarrier · Post by **gbarrier** » Thu Dec 10, 2015 1:52 pm

Anybody use the AERO Sunspot 36LX yet. Looks like 45W and 1,500+ lumens.

Website Says: The PMA’d SunSpot 36 LX was designed as a PAR 36 drop in replacement. (Reference Incandescent Bulb Cross Reference Guide by clicking on link). The SunSpot 36 LX is available in a landing or taxi light.

captnkirk · Post by **captnkirk** » Thu Dec 10, 2015 6:40 pm

Gbarrier are thinking of using the pulse model for the wig wag effect or just straight landing/taxi light. I still want to add a wig wag system for visibility and I've installed my last two GE's. So when those burn out I plan on upgrading to LED's. Looks like the Aeros might kill 2 bird with one stone.

gbarrier · Post by **gbarrier** » Thu Dec 10, 2015 7:09 pm

Their website says this:

The Sunspot 36LX landing and taxi lights can be installed with just a log book entry if you can install the light in an existing mount and use the existing wires, switches, and circuit breakers.
The Sunspot 36HX landing and taxi lights can be installed with the pulse function enabled in models listed on the AML under STC, or in other aircraft models with a 337 that uses the STC as a basis for approval.

Looks like your iA should be able to Wig Wag you right up. I have the original Pulse Lite system so looks like I could do with the log book entry version. I would prefer to loose the old system and don't mind the 337 but hate stringing the additional wire through each wing.

Rezrider · Post by **Rezrider** » Thu Dec 10, 2015 9:52 pm

gbarrier wrote:Anybody use the AERO Sunspot 36LX yet. Looks like 45W and 1,500+ lumens.

Website Says: The PMA’d SunSpot 36 LX was designed as a PAR 36 drop in replacement. (Reference Incandescent Bulb Cross Reference Guide by clicking on link). The SunSpot 36 LX is available in a landing or taxi light.

Yip, I put them in at last annual and they are fantastic. I have them wired for wigwag then just flick a switch and they are steady on.
I have the taxi bulb on one side angled downwards for night taxi.
Kinda pricey but then you don't need the separate pulse unit, you take these bulbs with you if you change planes!

The enhanced visibility in backcountry situations is a huge safety benefit.

gbarrier · Post by **gbarrier** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 4:26 am

Thanks Rez for your input. Is the taxi unit necessary or could you do with two landing? How much wider is the field of light? My primary use will be for the "be seen" value.

Rezrider · Post by **Rezrider** » Fri Dec 11, 2015 8:15 am

The taxi bulb has grooved lines on the lens that spread the beam wider. I think it helps for taxiing but still has great visibility in flight.
I've heard from people watching me fly in that they saw me miles away due to the pulsing lights. They can't tell any difference from far away which bulbs are which.
I vote for one of each type.

Perhaps I should add that if you are only getting one bulb then get the landing one. If you are getting two bulbs then get one of each.
Part of the reason I did this upgrade was the fact that I was adding the second light to my Maule. It only had the one light on the left wing.

gdflys · Post by **gdflys** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 5:56 pm

Worked on some Christmas present upgrades today. I searched around for some comparisons but they are tough to find. Hope these may help anyone who hasn't already made the switch to LEDs.

4509 bulbs and old lenses

<a><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4639/254 ... 407c_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Whelen Prometheus Plus LED Upgrade"></a><script></script>

Whelen Prometheus Plus Landing Light on the left amd Taxi Light on the right with new lenses

<a><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4685/254 ... c9b4_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Whelen Prometheus Plus LED Upgrade"></a><script></script>

4509 pattern, color, and brightness

<a><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4693/254 ... 17a6_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Whelen Prometheus Plus LED Upgrade"></a><script></script>

LED Landing Light pattern, color, and brightness

<a><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4688/386 ... 0bd6_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Whelen Prometheus Plus LED Upgrade"></a><script></script>

LED Taxi Light pattern, color, brightness

<a><img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4729/386 ... 3719_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Whelen Prometheus Plus LED Upgrade"></a><script></script>

Quick video showing all the above

https://youtu.be/jprxet1HuuE

crbnunit · Post by **crbnunit** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 6:51 pm

Came across these today...

https://www.illumi-vation.com/product-p ... taxi-light

Claim to be 60% brighter than any certified LED. A bargain at only $3400/ea.

Chris in Milwaukee · Post by **Chris in Milwaukee** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 7:36 pm

Holy crap

Hale-Yes · Post by **Hale-Yes** » Tue Dec 26, 2017 11:56 pm

Yea, but you get 4 lights for that price! That brings them all the way down to $849.00 each ! I guess there made from graphene and unatainum. Ed Hale

Very Reasonably Priced LED Landing Lights?

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