position lights etc.

[Nick]

Hey there folks,

I'm assembling my upper wings and started thinking about my position lights, meaning I have to start thinking about electrical systems as well. I am looking at a pair of 12V wing tip lights from ACS&S http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/el ... htkits.php and wonder if anyone has recommendations, ruminations or advice.

I have been thinking about lighting for a while and have had the advice not to be flying my Hatz at night, however I think it's a good idea to be prepared in the eventuality that it gets dark before you find your destination. Anyone else have any thougts on this? What about landing/taxi lighting? Strobes?

Nick

[splischke]

Sorry, no answers -- just more questions. This will be a thread that I'll closely follow since I too plan to install position lights. Not that I plan to fly at night but to fly in the calmer air during the long dusk hours of Summer.

I've been watching the aircraft LED position light industry expand over the past few years and it seems LEDs are the future. Low cost (at least for some), long life, and minimum current draw make them very attractive to the inexperienced and easily influenced advertisement reader like myself. I've been particularly drawn to the Kuntzleman Electronics, Inc (http://www.kestrobes.com) TRIPLE MAGNUM 3 LIGHT STROBE model. They meet FAA regulations for use on an experimental and if mounted correctly, a white tail light on the rudder is not needed.

Has anyone had experience with Kuntzleman Electronics products and/or quality of service?

Does anyone have experience with another LED manufacturer?

-Scott

[dougm]

I've been thinking about this recently as well. I like some of the LED options as they are highly visible, low weight, low electrical load, and look ok on a biplane... though I hate some of the prices
http://www.aeroleds.com/navigation-ligh ... ental.aspx

I'm still undecided on the idea of position lights and landing lights, but I'm leaning towards installing them. I live in MA and it can be pretty busy airspace (especially in the summer) so anything to improve my chances of being seen by others is a benefit.

As you mentioned, arriving after dark, flying near dusk, hazy days, or just having other pilots be able to see you when you are in the pattern are all reasons to have them. I'm sure we can all relate to times when another aircraft was all but unnoticed if it weren't for its position or landing lights. I know I've had a few of those instances.

[Nick]

Here's a set of LED position/strobe/nav lights with a good price. 14V only.
http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/el ... rburst.php

Nick

[Nick]

But this set looks way, way better
http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/catalog/el ... hultra.php

Lifetime warranty. If any LED fails, they replace the unit, for the life of your aircraft. Also works from 9-32 volts, and NO external power supply or strobe unit. Pretty swich. A little more than I was planning to spend, but they seem worth it.

Nick