Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: Kilo42 on February 28, 2007, 10:08:09 PM
Title: Landing Lights
Post by: Kilo42 on February 28, 2007, 10:08:09 PM
I am installing baggage pods on the EZ. Looking at installing some landing/taxi lights in the nose of the pods. Anyone done this before? Pics?
Running the electrics to the pods is no problem. A simple plug-in, hid in the pylon to an outlet under the wing will work. Something the size of maybe a headphone jack in an I-Pod. Any ideas on what type of connection would work?
Not looking at installing huge lights just some small, round lensed fog lights that have cool burning bulbs. Really mostly for taxi lights. Opening the canopy and holding up my D-cell mag light to taxi around works but I can only hold my arm up for so long :lol:
Kilo42 Long Ez N81HM
Title: Landing Lights
Post by: Waiter on March 01, 2007, 04:04:25 PM
Go down to the 24 April 2005 entry and look on the landing gear leg.
These are a 55 watt fixture and bulb (driving lamp). These are "Pilot #PL-2038. They were $30 for the set (2 lamps wiring, switch) I purchased from the local "Murreys" auto parts store.
ALSO, If you fell like getting your hands dirty (epoxy), Think about placing these in the leading edge of the wing. I did this with my original "Camaro" high beam lights.
Scroll down to the bottom, there are a couple photos of the original wing modification, and some text.
Good Luck
Waiter
Title: Lights
Post by: cloudman on March 01, 2007, 04:47:39 PM
If you want a pair of really bright halogen lights that do put out lots of light and heat try the PIAA egg shaped driving lights. I installed one in the nose of my Varieze with fiberfrax and some venting for heat. They are as small as any I have been able to find other than possibly a motorcycle light. They could cost a couple of hundred, but you will be seen in the air !! I got my pair (shared with hanger partner for about $170) on ebay. Our planes are hard to see in the air and closings speeds are usually over 300mph. W Johnson
Title: landing lights
Post by: Charles Davis on March 01, 2007, 05:37:51 PM
Has anyone ever installed landing lights in the nose of the wheel pants?
It seems like cooling would be good, and no reflection off the canard.
Title: Landing Lights
Post by: Kilo42 on March 01, 2007, 10:52:32 PM
I was thinking something like this would be perfct for the front of the baggage pods.
http://www.cardomain.com/item/HELH71010131
The tips of the pods could be cut just right to accept the round housing and the shape would be somewhat aerodynamic instead of flat. Not to worried about the glare as I will test partially covering (painting) the lens to prevent this from happening if needed.
Aiming will be key and can be accomplished by adjusting and tacking the light in place prior to final installation. I can pretty much see the finished product. There will be a pigtail at the top of each pylon that wil plug into the wing. Once attached the slack will set into a small cut out area in the top of the pylon allowing for flush mounting.
Just not exactly sure what typ of plug-in to use. It will have to be compact and sit somewhat flush when mounted into the wing as not to extrude when the pods are not installed.
Kilo42 Long-EZ N81HM
Title: Landing Lights
Post by: jack f. on March 02, 2007, 04:24:36 PM
Quote from: Kilo42
...as not to extrude when the pods are not installed.
I am also planning on putting the lights in the pods. But I don't anticipate removing the pods often. If you ask around I think you'll find that after the first year most people just leave them on. My plan was to make a plug from the pods and have Todd at Todds canopies make a cover.
FWIW Jack Fairchild
Title: Landing Lights
Post by: Waiter on March 02, 2007, 04:54:38 PM
2x2
Title: Landing Lights
Post by: Waiter on March 05, 2007, 10:06:15 AM
I thought about doing something similar to what you describe; i.e. A terminal block or connections area that can be accessed for use with the baggage pod mounting hard points. The more I think about it, I will most likely do this while I have the wings off for my retrofit program.
This could be used for any number of things; Lights in the Pods, Cameras in the pods, TP ejector for ribbon cuts, (Berry Weber actually had one of these in his baggage pods :-) DF antenna that mounts on the pod hard points, etc etc.
Here are my thoughts on this:
Cut a small opening/cavity in the bottom of the wing, 2 inches behind the spar cap / shear web. The cavity would be 3x3 inches by 1 1/2 deep, and would be located so that the baggage pod would cover the opening when it was mounted on the wing. Cut the opening carefully, as the 3x3 inch piece that is cut out will be used to make the cavity cover.
Clear the foam inside the cavity and allow for a 1/4 inch flox corner all the way around. Glass four layers of BID all the way around inside of the cavity. Make a 3/8 inch lip all the way around.
Superglue small 2 layer BID tabs that are cut out with scissors into position to form the lip. Then add three or four layers of BID to the inside to secure the lips. When cured, this should form the 3/8 lip all the way around the cavity.
Any number of methods can be used to secure the cover. I will probably install a couple nut plates, one in front and one in back, then use countersunk stainless bolts to hold the cover on.
From the inboard end of the wing (inside the engine compartment) drill a small hole that intersects and goes into the cavity. Enlarge this hole and insert a 3/4 aluminum tube. This tube now runs from the cavity to the engine compartment, inside the wing.
The 3/4 tube should allow coax, power lines, or any number of control wires.
To access the wing pod from the cockpit;
Route the wires thought the cockpit, through the firewall, and into the engine compartment. Once in the engine compartment, the wires can then be routed into the 3/4 conduit that runs to the cavity.
The baggage pod will need a corresponding hole cut in the wing mounting pad that matches up with the cavity hole. If the pylon goes back this far, its a straight shot from the pylon lip straight down into the pod.
HOWEVER, FROM MEMORY:::
I don't think the pylon portion of the pod goes back this far. I think the pylon ends in front of the spar cap. If so, I may need to add a small hump on the trailing edge of the pylon right up against the pylon / wing mount lip. The "hump would actually be a piece of 1 1/2 inch tubing that would act as a wire conduit. If this is the case, I may need two holes in the pylon/wing mounting lip, The back hole would line up with the wing cavity, and the other hole would be above the pylon itself. Wires would then drop out of the wing cavity into the aft pylon hole. the wires would then route through the "hump and into the forward hole. The wires would then be routed straight down into the pod.
I'll make up a drawing and post it here or on my web site.
Waiter
Title: HID Lights
Post by: Delta Mike on March 10, 2007, 11:18:40 PM
Check out the HID (high intensity discharge / xenon) lights being sold very competitively on the internet.
The HIDs have twice the brightness for 2/3 the wattage and heat. They do require a small ballast, but last twice as long as the halogen bulbs.
They come in all sizes, pretty much a plug and play setup, except for finding a place for the ballast.