LED Landing light?
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Ian Huss
About five years ago I promised my EZ a landing light for Christmas. Well, I've got some time on my hands now, does anyone have suggestions? -I would prefer to minimize any composite work, so a bolt-on would be nice. -I can put one in the forward access hatch but I'm concerned that it won't give good depth perception, does that work? - I'm pretty good with metal work & have a full welding & machine shop Ion 0-320 Long EZ 1615 hrs.
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Raymond Jimenez
I've been working on a landing/taxi light for my VariEze, I took some photos of testing it the other day: https://photos.app.goo.gl/PftK5xT7sf2hTj1U9 The LEDs are several lengths of this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PWVD357 Pros: - Extremely bright - No mechanisms required - Efficient, runs around 12W for that much light Cons: - Light not focused, so lots of spillover and possibly blinding folks on the ground - Needs 24V (solved this one as I made a 12V to 24V converter) Haven't flown it yet, but I'll let you know when I do. My plan is to seal & attach it to the front of the strut with some electronics-grade silicone (Momentive RTV5818) to allow it to flex, along with some clear wing tape for secondary retention. Raymond Jimenez N27GM
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Sunspot LED is the same size as a typical certified one so it’s a direct replacement for the plans design light.
toggle quoted messageShow quoted text
Any light will be plenty. Landing without a landing light altogether is not that challenging or dangerous since runway lights typically light up plenty IMHO. Taxi light? Open the canopy and hold a strong flashlight. Izzy
On Apr 27, 2020, at 10:24, Ian Huss via groups.io <lisnion@...> wrote:
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Del Schier
I had the plans incandescent light fail in my Cozy and I installed a pair of LEDs for $10 shipped on eBay. The pair are about 3000 LM and are available spot or flood. Before installing them I tested them for RF interference and they tested very good.
Attached are pictures of my install.
Del Schier Cozy IV N197DL Cannon Creek Airpark 15FL
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of Ian Huss via groups.io
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 10:24 AM To: members@canardzone.groups.io Subject: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light?
About five years ago I promised my EZ a landing light for Christmas. Well, I've got some time on my hands now, does anyone have suggestions?
-I would prefer to minimize any composite work, so a bolt-on would be nice.
-I can put one in the forward access hatch but I'm concerned that it won't give good depth perception, does that work?
- I'm pretty good with metal work & have a full welding & machine shop
Ion 0-320 Long EZ 1615 hrs.
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nosedragger48154
I would really like to see and hear how works for you after you fly it. I am not sure but by the looks of it on the ground, It may not luminate the runway effectively on your approach to the runway. Really interested in finding out how it worked!!
Sincerely,
Mike Scovel SE Michigan VariEze
Mbl (313) 608-7202 Email ezdriver@... Email info@...
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of Raymond Jimenez
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 11:28 AM To: members@canardzone.groups.io Subject: Re: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light?
I've been working on a landing/taxi light for my VariEze, I took some photos of testing it the other day:
The LEDs are several lengths of this stuff:
Pros: - Efficient, runs around 12W for that much light
Haven't flown it yet, but I'll let you know when I do. My plan is to seal & attach it to the front of the strut with some electronics-grade silicone (Momentive RTV5818) to allow it to flex, along with some clear wing tape for secondary retention.
On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 7:24 AM Ian Huss via groups.io <lisnion=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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nosedragger48154
Good morning Del, saw what you purchased, but nothing on your install. Looking forward to seeing that!
Sincerely,
Mike Scovel SE Michigan VariEze
Mbl (313) 608-7202 Email ezdriver@... Email info@...
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of Del Schier
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 2:45 PM To: members@canardzone.groups.io Subject: Re: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light?
I had the plans incandescent light fail in my Cozy and I installed a pair of LEDs for $10 shipped on eBay. The pair are about 3000 LM and are available spot or flood Before installing them I tested them for RF interference and they tested very good.
Attached are pictures of my install.
Del Schier Cozy IV N197DL Cannon Creek Airpark 15FL
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of Ian Huss via groups.io
About five years ago I promised my EZ a landing light for Christmas. Well, I've got some time on my hands now, does anyone have suggestions?
-I would prefer to minimize any composite work, so a bolt-on would be nice.
-I can put one in the forward access hatch but I'm concerned that it won't give good depth perception, does that work?
- I'm pretty good with metal work & have a full welding & machine shop
Ion 0-320 Long EZ 1615 hrs.
Attachments:
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Bob Holliston
What's wrong with the plans landing light? It's plenty bright and fully adjustable for landing or taxi. I've used mine only for taxi since I don't land on unlighted runways at night. In fact I don't fly at night unless due to (my bad planning) it ends up that way. I have used it a few times during the day when on a long straight in to a tower airport and the tower says they don't see me yet. That works, especially since I have an auto turn signal unit wired into the three position toggle.
On Tue, Apr 28, 2020 at 6:39 AM nosedragger48154 <ezdriver@...> wrote:
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Tom Smith
12V to 24V converter this one ok- https://www.ntctrading.net/shop/12v-to-24v-dc-to-dc-step-up-converter-3a-5a-10a $22.00 this one for 12.00
 Tom Smith A&P/IA
Long-EZ N12TS Cell-707-592-0869 KVCB KJ6PZN -----Original Message-----
From: nosedragger48154 <ezdriver@...> To: members@canardzone.groups.io Sent: Tue, Apr 28, 2020 6:34 am Subject: Re: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light? I would really like to see and hear how works for you after you fly it. I am not sure but by the looks of it on the ground, It may not luminate the runway effectively on your approach to the runway. Really interested in finding out how it worked!!
Sincerely,
Mike Scovel
SE Michigan
VariEze
Mbl (313) 608-7202
Email ezdriver@...
Email info@...
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of Raymond Jimenez
Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 11:28 AM To: members@canardzone.groups.io Subject: Re: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light? I've been working on a landing/taxi light for my VariEze, I took some photos of testing it the other day:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/PftK5xT7sf2hTj1U9 The LEDs are several lengths of this stuff:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PWVD357 Pros:
- Extremely bright - No mechanisms required - Efficient, runs around 12W for that much light
Cons: - Light not focused, so lots of spillover and possibly blinding folks on the ground - Needs 24V (solved this one as I made a 12V to 24V converter) Haven't flown it yet, but I'll let you know when I do. My plan is to seal & attach it to the front of the strut with some electronics-grade silicone (Momentive RTV5818) to allow it to flex, along with some clear wing tape for secondary retention.
Raymond Jimenez N27GM On Mon, Apr 27, 2020 at 7:24 AM Ian Huss via groups.io <lisnion=yahoo.com@groups.io> wrote:
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Ian Huss
Hi Bob, I'm not so keen on doing the plans landing light since I'm nursing a mild epoxy sensitivity. I try to save my epoxy exposure for more important repairs. A bolt-on solution is preferred. Ion 0-320 Long EZ 1617 hrs What's wrong with the plans landing light? It's plenty bright and fully adjustable for landing or taxi. I've used mine only for taxi since I don't land on unlighted runways at night. In fact I don't fly at night unless due to (my bad planning) it ends up that way. I have used it a few times during the day when on a long straight in to a tower airport and the tower says they don't see me yet. That works, especially since I have an auto turn signal unit wired into the three position toggle.
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Bob Holliston
Ion, bummer about the epoxy sensitivity. However installing the plans landing light should take less than an hour (messing with epoxy) time. That's only for closing out around the foam in the hole you cut for the light and glassing in a little piece of plywood that holds the nut plates for the hinge. All the mechanical stuff takes lots longer. If I was going to do it to a finished EZ I'd probably stand the plane on its tail and cut the hole from the bottom with a saber saw and do the fitting of the bracket.
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Steve Stearns
And I'll bet Ion could off load that epoxy work on someone less sensitive if he was inclined. I know where to look at an example install near Ion's hangar too... Steve.
On Wed, Apr 29, 2020, 2:17 PM Bob Holliston <bob.holliston@...> wrote:
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John ten Have
You can also replace the Plans light bulb with an equivalent form factor LED light. I did this mod, and you could weld with it, it is so bright. I sourced the lamp from Ebay as I recall - an after market LED automotive spotlight and then machined the fins on the alloy housing to fit into the original plans frame. Regards John
On Thu, 30 Apr 2020 at 08:17, Bob Holliston <bob.holliston@...> wrote:
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Steve Rothert
I've seen some guys put a landing light in the speed brake and another installation on the nose gear strut.
I have often thought about installing landing lights in the nose of the wheel pants but worried about the life expectancy with just normal vibration. If you have the wing pods installed, another thought would be to install the landing lights in the nose of the pods. Steve Rothert Colorado Springs, CO
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A R Goldman
Landing gear strut and brake light is great when you are in only landing configuration.
It, however eliminates one of the advantages of lights (both in day and night) and that is when close to a busy airport illuminated and possibly alternating lights are one more thing that might catch the eye of other pilots in the air.
I originally thought about wheel pants but dismissed that because of vibration (possibly not applicable to LEDs) but also increased heat in the pant via the brakes reducing life..
Pods, if you have them would be great.
I am putting them in the nose and am about to mold the plexi. We will see how that comes out.
Rich
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Del Schier
Steve, One problem that you may not anticipate is cold air gets in the holes for the plans install; not good flying near freezing temps. I do like the plans location as you can aim the light up or down and use it in daylight such as approaches to Sun N Fun or Oskosh. I don’t always use my speed brake down or have it down before I need a landing light.
Del Schier Cozy IV N197DL Cannon Creek Airpark 15FL
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of A R Goldman via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 11:11 AM To: members@canardzone.groups.io Subject: Re: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light?
Landing gear strut and brake light is great when you are in only landing configuration.
It, however eliminates one of the advantages of lights (both in day and night) and that is when close to a busy airport illuminated and possibly alternating lights are one more thing that might catch the eye of other pilots in the air.
I originally thought about wheel pants but dismissed that because of vibration (possibly not applicable to LEDs) but also increased heat in the pant via the brakes reducing life..
Pods, if you have them would be great.
I am putting them in the nose and am about to mold the plexi. We will see how that comes out.
Rich
In a message dated 5/6/2020 9:50:11 AM Central Standard Time, SWROTHERT@... writes:
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nosedragger48154
I personally would really like to see the process you went thru to put the lights in the nose, that is if you took pictures of the all the different steps. Also how you are forming the Plexiglass lens.
Sincerely,
Mike Scovel SE Michigan VariEze
Mbl (313) 608-7202 Email ezdriver@... Email info@...
From: members@canardzone.groups.io <members@canardzone.groups.io> On Behalf Of A R Goldman via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 11:11 AM To: members@canardzone.groups.io Subject: Re: [Canard Zone] LED Landing light?
Landing gear strut and brake light is great when you are in only landing configuration.
It, however eliminates one of the advantages of lights (both in day and night) and that is when close to a busy airport illuminated and possibly alternating lights are one more thing that might catch the eye of other pilots in the air.
I originally thought about wheel pants but dismissed that because of vibration (possibly not applicable to LEDs) but also increased heat in the pant via the brakes reducing life..
Pods, if you have them would be great.
I am putting them in the nose and am about to mold the plexi. We will see how that comes out.
Rich
In a message dated 5/6/2020 9:50:11 AM Central Standard Time, SWROTHERT@... writes:
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I agree, the nose is a very good location. No deployment mechanism, turn it on in any flight regime, no shadows, no vibration no heat.... I used a High beam/low beam so I get both taxi and landing angles. I turn them both on at once but that is easily changed. I did relocate the pitot to above and behind the nose a few inches but it works well. The calibration is reasonable and no pitot in the dirt when parking
On Wed, May 6, 2020 at 9:24 AM nosedragger48154 <ezdriver@...> wrote:
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Jenatepilot
Mike I have zero regrets with my Pitot/landing light install in my ez. Check it out under avionics chapter on my build log. Www.mykitlog.com/Jenatepilot
On May 6, 2020, at 12:48 PM, Keith Spreuer <kspreuer@...> wrote:
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Where is your pitot tube?
On Wed, May 6, 2020 at 10:58 AM Jenatepilot <jenatepilot@...> wrote:
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Jenatepilot
Under my canard on the left side in the position used by velocity aircraft.
On May 6, 2020, at 2:04 PM, Keith Spreuer <kspreuer@...> wrote:
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