LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

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Chris B
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LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Chris B »

Back in 2011, Gary mentioned that he'd swapped his incandescent bulbs for LEDs.
http://www.diamondaviators.net/forum/24 ... r%20outlet

Unfortunately, in a recent PM he indicated that the LEDs are not very bright. Unlike Gary, of course! :P

Fortunately LEDs continue to improve rapidly. So has anybody successfully replaced their interior lights with LEDs?

Also, has anyone considered replacing some or all of the lights with *red* LEDs? AFAIK, red LEDs are more power-efficient, and should pump out more lumens for equivalent current. They would offer obvious night vision advantages as well.

Chris
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Lance Murray
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Lance Murray »

They aren't super bright BUT they are bright enough.
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Chris B
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Chris B »

Lance Murray wrote:They aren't super bright BUT they are bright enough.
I'm not complaining about the brightness of the stock bulbs.

But LEDs should draw less current (important if you accidentally leave one switched on) and last essentially forever.
I am also curious if switching some or all of the lights to red LEDs is pure genius :thumbsup:

...or stupid. :oops:

Chris
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Steve »

Chris:

You don't see red instrument panel lighting much in aircarft anymore. This is due to a phenomenon called "night presbyopia". Military pilots are mostly hyperopes (farsighted), and illumination with red light requires more accomodation (which they are using some of already to correct the latent hyperopia). Confusing, I know. Bottom line is that dim white is better at night for most emmetropic and hyperopic pilots.

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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Gasser »

Steve wrote:Chris:

You don't see red instrument panel lighting much in aircarft anymore. This is due to a phenomenon called "night presbyopia". Military pilots are mostly hyperopes (farsighted), and illumination with red light requires more accomodation (which they are using some of already to correct the latent hyperopia). Confusing, I know. Bottom line is that dim white is better at night for most emmetropic and hyperopic pilots.

Steve
Good to know coming from a hyperope that is over 40 with some real presbyopia. 8)
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Rick
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Rick »

I also replaced my map lights with LEDs in my '04 a few years ago. I though the LEDs were as bright as the original bulbs, only whiter - the original incandescent bulbs had a more yellowish hue.

Just the opinion of another ancient presbyopic hyperope, though! ;)

I ordered replacements for my current bird back in late November, but they are currently out of stock (at BulbTown, at least). Supposed to be shipping any day now, they tell me. I'll let you know if these seem any brighter or not...
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Gary
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Gary »

Lance Murray wrote:They aren't super bright BUT they are bright enough.
I agree that they are bright enough, at least in white. If you chose a red LED lamp it might not be enough to read a checklist very easily. I wish I could find the supplier and part number but so far no luck.
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Moonshine »

I put in whichever one is the DA approved LED lights - seem bright enough for me. Definitely better than the original ones.
p/n
LM1024WB-W
item
LM1024WB-W LED MINIATURE BULB WEDGE BASE
bought 3 at $13.16 each a year ago
same price now, looks like they are in stock
http://www.bulbtown.com/LM1024WB_W_LED_ ... 24wb-w.htm
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Charles »

Just replaced mine. Wow, what an improvement!

I had to tinker quite a bit until I figured out how to get the polarity right though.
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Re: LED replacements for interior "map" lights?

Post by Rick »

Yeah, probably should have mentioned that before. The connectors only go on one way, but the bulbs go in 2 different ways, so you have a 50/50 chance of getting the bulb in backwards. The LED bulbs are not like regular incandescent bulbs - since the 'D' in LED stands for 'diode', if you put it in backwards, no current passes, hence no light! You won't damage the bulb, it just won't work - you have to pull it out, rotate it 180 degrees, and reinsert it. So, when inserting an LED bulb, you should hook it up and try it before you get it all mounted back in place! It's easiest to use the pilot-side plug to test all 3 fixtures, since it is always hot (the other 2 are not).
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