Hello Backcountry Pilots,
I'm looking to install a wig-wag lighting system on my Maule. My M-4 has landing lights installed on the leading edge of both wings. Hate to say it but I have a friend with a Husky that has wig-wag lights that make him very visible. This is a great safety option. Even skud-running in the backcountry I'm obviously not the only airplane out there. Ever had a close call?
Anyway I'm looking for an inexpensive option. Some of the experimental aircraft wig-wag systems can be installed with a field approval. I was wondering if anyone has installed a wig-wag lighting system on a Maule and could offer some advise.

Thanks,

James

Did one of these in my cub. Fast, cheap, easy, and STC'd. Doesn't get much better than that.

Pluse it gives you the option to wig wag, or pulse together at alternating rates.

http://www.maxpulsemaxdim.com/maxpulseproduct.htm

Take care, Rob

Rob wrote:Did one of these in my cub. Fast, cheap, easy, and STC'd. Doesn't get much better than that.
Pluse it gives you the option to wig wag, or pulse together at alternating rates. http://www.maxpulsemaxdim.com/maxpulseproduct.htm

Checked the website, but no price listed ???
I'd like to have pulsing landing lights, it sure makes the Kenmore beavers that use them super visible in the daytime -- way more than any amount of strobes or flashiong beacons. Does the switch unit just replace your landing/taxi light switch(es)?

hotrod150 wrote:Checked the website, but no price listed ???
I'd like to have pulsing landing lights, it sure makes the Kenmore beavers that use them super visible in the daytime -- way more than any amount of strobes or flashiong beacons. Does the switch unit just replace your landing/taxi light switch(es)?

It's been a few years since I bought mine, and at that time you could buy them direct. Not sure anymore? I seem to recall paying about $150, and back then they had some kind of special going for supercub.orgers.. again not so sure anymore..

It can replace the stock switch, or the stock switch becomes the 'landing light master'

Spruce lists them here:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/el/ ... pulse.html

Side note;

Several years ago I was temporarily flying a Thrush for a guy who had his nose lights wired like this. One day he commented on how easy it was to spot me working the plane in the busy NE sky. He then chastised me for putting 'uneeded wear' on his expensive light bulbs and told me that henceforth we would fly with the lights off during daytime hours.


Take care, Rob

Most of the pulse light systems say that bulb life is extended by the pulsing action. I guess it lets them cool off for a half second without going full off.

Check out http://www.aveoengineering.com/ they have some late edition wig-wag landing lights...cant say much about price but they are high quality....top-shelf for sure.

These guys are in Boise http://www.aeroleds.com/home.aspx

I just installed an Teledyne Alphabeam as my landing light and its a great light for being seen.

Hope this helps.

I had the Precise Flite Pulselite module installed in my P172D 2 years ago. See http://preciseflight.com/general-aviati ... -aviation/ The version I bought is $295, and installation is pretty straight-forward--I think my IA charged me a couple hours of labor.

Because my airplane's landing and taxi lights are side by side in the left wing, I had it wired for both to pulse at the same time--otherwise it would look almost constantly on. But it's an attention getter, for sure. The module can be wired to alternately flash the lights if they're separated by any distance as in opposite wings, as well as simultaneously flash them.

Since I have HID lights, it's recommended that I turn them on for a few seconds before starting the flashing to warm up the lights' power supplies, so I turn them on with the landing light switch as I leave the run-up area, then immediately turn on the Pulselite switch, taxi to the runway, turn off the landing light switch, which starts the lights flashing. Returning to the airport, I first turn on the landing lights to warm up the power supplies again, then turn on the Pulselite switch, then turn off the landing light switch again.

At night I leave the landing light switch on until I'm in the air, and by turning it off, the lights start flashing. When I'm returning to the airport at night, I first turn on the landing lights to warm up the power supplies again, then turn on the Pulselite switch, then turn off the landing light switch again until I turn final.

The only glitch in my system is that if I try to shut off the landing light and turn on only the taxi light with the Pulselite switch still on, the "off" landing light starts to pulse. So before turning off the landing light, I just have to remember to shut off the Pulselite switch.

Cary

Hello Backcountry Pilots,
I found a very reasonable priced wig-wag system that looks pretty easy to install too. This system will require a field approval since it's manufactured for experimental aircraft and not a PMA part. This field approval process takes time not $$$. Anyway I think this is a great option for visibility. Looks like I'm headed to Joseph, Oregon next weekend for the airlift, and wish I already had it installed.

James





Wig-Wag (D) Light-Flashing Module Improves Aircraft Visibility
The popular Wig-Wag Alternate Light Flashing Module has now has been redesigned in surface mount mosfets, and made into a tiny epoxy-potted module complete with switch!

During World War II, Hudson bombers were outfitted with bright lamps in their Perspex™ noses and refitted clear leading edges. The lamps were adjusted to match the background brightness. This was deadly to submarines that could not see the attack bombers approach until it was far too late! Steady (non-pulsed) lights during the daytime can actually make an airplane nearly invisible!

But wig-wags alternately flash the taxi and landing lights to improve your aircraft’s visibility. Pilots are innately aware of motion, so this really gets their attention! Wig-wag lighting markedly improves flying safety, especially in airport traffic patterns and during limited visibility operations.

Not a wimpy 100W flasher; this tiny power module is 250 Watts per lamp!

Safety doesn’t get any simpler…or smaller. This Wig-Wag is built into the switch. And it will run on 14.5-28 VDC aircraft voltages.
Basic Specifications:

Body Dimensions: 1.25”X1.00” X 0.60”(32 X 25X 15 mm)
Weight: About 1.1 ounce (30 g)
Connectors: 0.250” male Fastons®
Input Voltage=10-30 VDC (Please Take Note!)
60VDC Load Dump Transient Capable
Maximum Switched Lamp Power=2X250 Watts



Actual Size:


USD$88.00;


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FOR EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT USE ONLY.


Installation and mounting—


The Wig-Wag module is designed to fasten to any convenient panel just like any other switch on your control panel. Wire as shown.

Notes:

At 250 Watts for each lamp,the module should only get to 48ºC (only 11ºC over human body temperature!), so for most purposes the module runs very cool. It is required that 250W lamps (on 14.5 VDC systems) have an inrush current limiter (such as Thermometrics CL-101) installed near the lamp to prevent the initial turn-on surge from damaging the lamp or the Wig-Wag device. No inrush current limiter is needed for lamps up to 150W or with 28 VDC aircraft. The device generates almost no EMI or RFI and the device is not static sensitive. The pulse timing is independent of lamp wattage or aircraft voltage. That’s about 42 flashes per-minute-per-lamp alternating. (FAA legal rate).

Thanks for buying our product.
Eric M. Jones
Perihelion Design
Revised 06APR04