daddyman
Well Known Member
My lights were working just fine.
This breaks one of my big airplane rules- DO NOT FIX IF IT ISN'T BROKEN.
In this case, I couldn't help myself because;
I was hesitant to use my lights near the landing pattern, or in other conditions that could have increased visibility and safety because the previous owner said the electrical system "couldn't keep up with the load". Still not sure if that was the case. Since all things electrical are mysterious to me as Merlyn the Magician, I accepted his words.
So, I took the old lights (landing and taxi) out and replaced them with LED lights.
I had previously changed the landing light bulb for a "higher intensity" one, but couldn't tell the difference when landing at night.
Fast forward to this upgrade.
The following are pictures are from my son and student pilot (read Guy in back) -Buddy.
This is our side by side comparison:
On the next pic, you can see the "old" version on the left side: (by mistake on the new one taken was the overhead lights off, whereas the original overhead lights on)
Here is a close up of the part itself:
I purchased on Amazon as a 12,000 lumen Hikari brand LED H4 replacement for about $90?
I am not compensated in any way by Amazon or the manufacturer.
https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-Headlight-Conversion-Lumileds-Warranty/dp/B077B3SNJR/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531785277&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=hikari+h4+12000
I thought they were also cool- literally as they had a built in heat sink and cooling fan behind the bulb.
The other feature that really interested me was the reduced electrical load.
Before: 130/90 W (high beam/low beam)
After: 58 W max?
Also designed to have reduced radio interference!
Claimed to be 270% brighter
VERY long lifespan
The kit also came with a pre-wired ballast.
This is the installation shot:
Whole job took less than 1 hr
WARNING: once done, do not look them directly- even in daylight - it will cause pain, and sun spots for 15 min. Insanely bright.
We have yet to night flight test (due to vacation and weather).
I plan on updating post flight testing.
Daddyman and Buddy
yea, dues paid, etc.
This breaks one of my big airplane rules- DO NOT FIX IF IT ISN'T BROKEN.
In this case, I couldn't help myself because;
I was hesitant to use my lights near the landing pattern, or in other conditions that could have increased visibility and safety because the previous owner said the electrical system "couldn't keep up with the load". Still not sure if that was the case. Since all things electrical are mysterious to me as Merlyn the Magician, I accepted his words.
So, I took the old lights (landing and taxi) out and replaced them with LED lights.
I had previously changed the landing light bulb for a "higher intensity" one, but couldn't tell the difference when landing at night.
Fast forward to this upgrade.
The following are pictures are from my son and student pilot (read Guy in back) -Buddy.
This is our side by side comparison:
On the next pic, you can see the "old" version on the left side: (by mistake on the new one taken was the overhead lights off, whereas the original overhead lights on)
Here is a close up of the part itself:
I purchased on Amazon as a 12,000 lumen Hikari brand LED H4 replacement for about $90?
I am not compensated in any way by Amazon or the manufacturer.
https://www.amazon.com/HIKARI-Headlight-Conversion-Lumileds-Warranty/dp/B077B3SNJR/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531785277&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=hikari+h4+12000
I thought they were also cool- literally as they had a built in heat sink and cooling fan behind the bulb.
The other feature that really interested me was the reduced electrical load.
Before: 130/90 W (high beam/low beam)
After: 58 W max?
Also designed to have reduced radio interference!
Claimed to be 270% brighter
VERY long lifespan
The kit also came with a pre-wired ballast.
This is the installation shot:
Whole job took less than 1 hr
WARNING: once done, do not look them directly- even in daylight - it will cause pain, and sun spots for 15 min. Insanely bright.
We have yet to night flight test (due to vacation and weather).
I plan on updating post flight testing.
Daddyman and Buddy
yea, dues paid, etc.