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Old January 6th 06, 03:03 AM posted to rec.aviation.piloting,rec.aviation.homebuilt
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Default Can I fly it at night?

If the wing wires are indeed installed, 90% of the work is already done..

We ran wires in Leo's BC12D Tailorcraft using 1/4 x 1/2 inch spruced capstrip
stock as a pusher. We worked the wires from one inspection plate to the next.
His wings already had the bulbs installed - but no wires. Go figure...

Somebody else already mentioned the light socket question. The bulbs (12 volt
only) and mounts are available from Aircraft Spruce.

A Plain Jane pair of tip lights ruin a hundred bucks or more.
Fancy ones are available with built in strobes (!)

I'm curious if the strobes would fill the anti collision ewquirement?

We didn't rig up a rotating collision light.
But a small roller from an EMS/police supplier (or your local truck stop?)
should prove serviceable. Or dig deeper and get a "real" one.

Mounting it is problematic. Depends on the light, and the airplane.

Where would you put it on a Champ? On the belly metal?

Your choice of power sources. Wind driven generators are heavy
(at least the originals were!) and add a lot of drag.

A Gel Cell 12 volt battery is the simplest solution.
And it is not necessarily a permanent installation. (Think "Hand Held")

One last thought...

How will you light the panel?

Richard