More duckworks questions

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 4:14 am

I'm riveting the LE's together and need to make a decision soon about the duckworks lights. Definitely not going with the HID (would like them but can't justify the cost).
Any thoughts on the relative benefits / downsides to round vs. rectangular - i.e. bulb availability / interchangeability, brightness, etc? I'd like to get something that has readily available bulbs that are not terribly expensive but that have good light output (more for visibility than anything - I don't use the landing lights for landing at night anyway).

Thomas
-8 wings

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:20 am

Thomas, That is the way I fly too. I want something for taxiing around strange airports at night and for aircraft recognition purposes. If it casts more light out ahead of me, all the better!

I went with the DW-1 standard kit. The 55's are alot of light if properly focused. Go to Walmart and get the cheapo $20 clear fog lamp kit and try them out on your truck. That is the EXACT SAME (read: they will ship you the SAME PAIR!) light that comes in the kit!

With the standard reflector it casts a broad, flat beam... a fog beam. Itshould be fine for most needs.

Besides, when the LED landing lights come out, it should be an easy retrofit into the old brackets. That is what you are paying for anyways... the brackets and the plans.

You could VERY EASILY whip up your own. I chose this because it was a no brainer and many days, I don't have one!

CJ

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 7:12 am

Whew! Thanks for all the replies to my multiple questions - I'm glad someone else is awake this AM

I was getting tired of waiting for answers!!

Thomas

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:27 am

Ya, hey... what are you doing up at 3 anyways???

CJ

tshort · Post by **tshort** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:51 am

Working - my shift today is 0400-1200.
Then I get the afternoon off until I come back to do it again tomorrow AM.
Got a line on 2 cheap air conditioners today - hopefully I can pick them up to cool the shop, temps are going to be getting into the 90s this weekend...

Thomas

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:36 am

captain_john wrote: You could VERY EASILY whip up your own. I chose this because it was a no brainer and many days, I don't have one!

CJ

I'm in this category! I have the plans and plenty of spar AL sheet, so I'll be making my own brackets, per the DW instructions!

I'll be halogen until the LEDs come out as well...

Lorin Dueck · Post by **Lorin Dueck** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 12:41 pm

Thomas -
I plan to have a day/night VFR machine.

I went with two DW-2 (round 100W Halogen) - one at the end of each wing.
Not much difference in $$ compared to the rectangular DW-1, more light, and still works with Wig Wag.

Can't tell you how well it works since I'm just cutting out the first leading edge hole now.
I will say it is a little nerve racking -> putting a hole in the skin of something you just finished.
Kinda reminds me of the first countersink hole in the main spar....

Lorin D
9A Wings

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 7:32 pm

Lorin, that is a good choice. I opted away from it because that is a cone shaped beam like the ones in spammers. They throw a straight beam, one which I wasn't sure could be effectively aimed. It probably can and I am only being paranoid. I just wanted the flat, wide beam I guess.

CJ