Hey guys, just wondering if anyone has used solar runway lighting and which brand are good. The lights are for my grass strip, so don't have to be super high quality amd certified and all.
Thanks
David

I was wondering the same thing, but also, has anyone tried putting highly reflective DOT tape on the stake beneath the light to aid the illumination? If so, how did it work?

just wondering if anyone has used solar runway lighting

FWIW, when you need runway lighting, the sun is down. When the sun is up to provide power to the lights, you don't need runway lighting. Just sayin'.

Cary

I have a bunch reflective tape on the fence posts on the end of the runway, You know the kind they put on the side and back of the trucks.
Then I went down to BIG R, I think Wall Mart had them last time I was in one also, and bought a bunch of $6.00 redflashing LED solar lights on the end of some 2' white plastic tubes about 3/4" in diameter, they came with a pointed attachment to stick in the ground. Make a hole with a rod first as they will break real easy!!
They will flash until about 4 am in the morning with some going all night??
Problems!! Coyote pups seem to like to chew on them?? Birds sit on them and cover up the solar cell!!
Cheap, but works!
I had some white ones a few years ago, but these are easier to see and stick up out of the grass better.
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/moonrays-solar-driveway-marker-red/0000000092329
http://www.amazon.com/Blazer-377RDM-4-Side-Driveway-Fiberglass/dp/B006STTK6M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1380127017&sr=8-5&keywords=solar+driveway+markers

Thanks Cary. To clarify, I am not wanting to bury wire and go through all that work, and would prefer solar with battery lights that only turn on at dusk. You can buy them for almost any other application, just wondering if there is aviation specific ones that may be brighter or last longer. I'm sure with the vast majority of experience here, that someone at least has an idea.

I have a bunch reflective tape on the fence posts on the end of the runway, You know the kind they put on the side and back of the trucks.
Then I went down to BIG R, I think Wall Mart had them last time I was in one also, and bought a bunch of $6.00 redflashing LED solar lights on the end of some 2' white plastic tubes about 3/4" in diameter, they came with a pointed attachment to stick in the ground. Make a hole with a rod first as they will break real easy!!
They will flash until about 4 am in the morning with some going all night??
Problems!! Coyote pups seem to like to chew on them?? Birds sit on them and cover up the solar cell!!
Cheap, but works!
I had some white ones a few years ago, but these are easier to see and stick up out of the grass better.
http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/moonrays-solar-driveway-marker-red/0000000092329
http://www.amazon.com/Blazer-377RDM-4-Side-Driveway-Fiberglass/dp/B006STTK6M/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1380127017&sr=8-5&keywords=solar+driveway+markers

Awesome. That's the kinda stuff I'm looking for M6RV6. I habve some cheaper white ones, but they aren't bright enough. I will look for the red ones you speak of.

M6RV6 wrote:Then I went down to BIG R, I think Wall Mart had them last time I was in one also, and bought a bunch of $6.00 redflashing LED solar lights on the end of some 2' white plastic tubes about 3/4" in diameter, they came with a pointed attachment to stick in the ground.

Problems!! Coyote pups seem to like to chew on them??

Ok, adding Coyote pups to Hyenas (aka, tire eaters) on the list of "animals that are assholes for no good reason".

Luckily I don't have many coyote problems. I've got two of them already this harvest, and they tend to not stick around my place too much, lots of gun fire and a big dog.

A1
Jump on Ebay and look under LED Solar Spotlights, some pretty interesting lights, might put a couple of those on the approach end at what ever your Glide slope might be and build a bit of tube around to focus the light.

Thanks again M6. Will check it out.
David

At the powered parachute fly-ins (tow-in would be more appropriate) they used those cheap solar lights (like you might put along a walkway in your yard) to make an ad-hoc runway for night flying.. They are cheap, recharge during the day and turn on at night with a photosensor, They are low quaility but cheap (10 for $30 in harbor freight's aviation department), and each one is indpendent so if you lose one here and there no big deal.

scottf wrote:At the powered parachute fly-ins (tow-in would be more appropriate) they used those cheap solar lights (like you might put along a walkway in your yard) to make an ad-hoc runway for night flying.. They are cheap, recharge during the day and turn on at night with a photosensor, They are low quaility but cheap (10 for $30 in harbor freight's aviation department), and each one is indpendent so if you lose one here and there no big deal.

I concur with the "low quality" part. If you don't pull them and put them someplace safe when you aren't using them you should probably think of them as a purchase you make annually. I have no plans to put any lighting on my runway when I put it in (would make it too tempting to do night ops), but I do have nearly a runways worth of walking paths. We've been through multiple sets of these disposable lamps and I'm about ready to punt, rent a wire trencher and finally do the job right.

RW2, that's exactly why I was hoping someone may have experience with something a little higher quality that will last a few seasons, especially since they'll be out in -40 temps in winter. I love flying at night so I need lights on my strip.

We have solar runway lights at Seeley Lake, MT. They are commercially made. I think the lights and cones have been picked up and put away for the winter. If you are interested in the brand contact Montana Aeronautics, they own the airport and paid for the lights.

A1Skinner wrote:RW2, that's exactly why I was hoping someone may have experience with something a little higher quality that will last a few seasons, especially since they'll be out in -40 temps in winter. I love flying at night so I need lights on my strip.

I thought cheap was the word,
if you want to spend money
http://www.flightlight.com/airportlight ... /AV04.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/e ... tskit1.php

http://www.safegate.com/home/idman/sola ... duct/AV425

Well M6, I do like cheap, but digging in wire isn't, and finding that cheap ones don't work after I'm in the air isn'tuch fun either. So I guess I don't mind spending a bit to make sure I can land safely.

M6RV6 wrote:

A1Skinner wrote:RW2, that's exactly why I was hoping someone may have experience with something a little higher quality that will last a few seasons, especially since they'll be out in -40 temps in winter. I love flying at night so I need lights on my strip.

I thought cheap was the word,
if you want to spend money
http://www.flightlight.com/airportlight ... /AV04.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/e ... tskit1.php

http://www.safegate.com/home/idman/sola ... duct/AV425

I may or may not have an AV70 that walked home from Iraq. It's cool for yard parties!

Years back there were some plastic runway markers on the market.
Filled with water to keep them in place.
The approach side could be angled for the descent path.
The face was highly reflective like roadsigns and if you were on the approach you had designed, the landing lights picked them out from 3 miles out and only reflect back at the light source (your plane).
Placed at strategic intervals on left side of the landing path.
BUT, I can't remember who manufactured/sold them.

Hey guys, well im an electrician so I finaly have a forum I can put my hand up in and pretend to know something!

I actually service the runway lighting in remote outback aus for the Royal flying doctor service. they're using the avlite system.

http://www.avlite.com/

now i know its not cheap but the light out put is incredible. they will last days without sunlight to. and to be honest i personally feel they are better than most hardwired lighting solutions. they are as tough as nails to, ive seen them run over by cattle, horses, bull catchers and king airs. and the grand total of work required to get them going again is.......well standing them back up....

I know on some of the stations I service that have lighting on there strips, have come up with all sorts of alternatives for cheap lighting, and they just lay a few of these down, maybe one on each corner of the strip and a couple along the length so if all else fails.. atleast they have something to resort to.