What to do if strobe light is inop

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danno2000
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What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by danno2000 »

Hi all - I'm researching what's necessary in the event of an inoperative strobe light on a 2003 DA40-180. Did a search here and wanted to make sure I was understanding what people were saying correctly.

Specifically, if the strobe light is inop but the front and back position lights work, can you just replace the strobe portion? Is the strobe a plug-in bulb similar to what you'd find in a car? Or do you have to replace the entire combined assembly even though the front/back position lights work?

Thanks for your help as always!

dan
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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by yl472401 »

I think as a pilot, you can replace the light bulb. I’d be hesitate to fly without the strobe, although you might be able to fly without during the day VFR. I’m thinks it could be part of the combo for beacon which is required


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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by Rich »

I assume you have the original A600 units. The strobe lamp can be replaced but it's harder than the manual suggests. I've done it and it requires wingtip removal to get at the connector inside. Be careful when you remove the shell holding the strobe lamp in place, or the glass cover over the lamp will want to destroy itself by diving to the floor.

This is a repair you are allowed to do. And daytime flight is OK with one out for the time being.
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What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by yl472401 »

Rich wrote:I assume you have the original A600 units. The strobe lamp can be replaced but it's harder than the manual suggests. I've done it and it requires wingtip removal to get at the connector inside. Be careful when you remove the shell holding the strobe lamp in place, or the glass cover over the lamp will want to destroy itself by diving to the floor.

This is a repair you are allowed to do. And daytime flight is OK with one out for the time being.
I came across these pages in the POH as depicted in the picture. Will this be the KOEL or what list it is indeed otherwise?

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Rich
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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by Rich »

yl472401 wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:57 pm
Rich wrote:I assume you have the original A600 units. The strobe lamp can be replaced but it's harder than the manual suggests. I've done it and it requires wingtip removal to get at the connector inside. Be careful when you remove the shell holding the strobe lamp in place, or the glass cover over the lamp will want to destroy itself by diving to the floor.

This is a repair you are allowed to do. And daytime flight is OK with one out for the time being.
I came across these pages in the POH as depicted in the picture. Will this be the KOEL or what list it is indeed otherwise?

Image

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Image
That's why it's OK to fly day VFR with one (or both) inop. But you'll want to replace it, of course. IIRC the obnoxious part was that the connector, located inside the wingtip, didn't fit through the opening to the lamp portion itself, so I had to pull the pins out of the connector to replace the lamp.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by yl472401 »

Rich wrote:
yl472401 wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 3:57 pm
Rich wrote:I assume you have the original A600 units. The strobe lamp can be replaced but it's harder than the manual suggests. I've done it and it requires wingtip removal to get at the connector inside. Be careful when you remove the shell holding the strobe lamp in place, or the glass cover over the lamp will want to destroy itself by diving to the floor.

This is a repair you are allowed to do. And daytime flight is OK with one out for the time being.
I came across these pages in the POH as depicted in the picture. Will this be the KOEL or what list it is indeed otherwise?

Image

Sent from my iPad using TapatalkImage
Image
That's why it's OK to fly day VFR with one (or both) inop. But you'll want to replace it, of course. IIRC the obnoxious part was that the connector, located inside the wingtip, didn't fit through the opening to the lamp portion itself, so I had to pull the pins out of the connector to replace the lamp.
Hi Rich,
Please see the pictures I posted. Is this the MEL or the KOEL ?


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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by Diamond_Dan »

danno2000 wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 2:58 pm Specifically, if the strobe light is inop but the front and back position lights work, can you just replace the strobe portion? Is the strobe a plug-in bulb similar to what you'd find in a car? Or do you have to replace the entire combined assembly even though the front/back position lights work?
To answer your question specifically, the strobe bulb can be replaced a la carte but it takes some disassembly as mentioned here. Keep in mind that the problem can also be the strobe power supply. I have replaced one of each in the past 4 years. A new strobe power supply may get you halfway to a LED upgrade, at least for the parts, so think about that too. The other side is failing now on my '04 and total $$ spent on bulbs and power supplies rebuilding the things would have us at an LED upgrade.

My mechanic taught me to do the wingtip lamp work over my trash barrel which is usually filled with paper towels. May save you a broken lens.

Dan
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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by Rich »

yl472401 wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:07 pm Hi Rich,
Please see the pictures I posted. Is this the MEL or the KOEL ?
In the US, it constitutes the MEL.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by yl472401 »

Rich wrote:
yl472401 wrote: Fri Nov 06, 2020 4:07 pm Hi Rich,
Please see the pictures I posted. Is this the MEL or the KOEL ?
In the US, it constitutes the MEL.
Thanks


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Re: What to do if strobe light is inop

Post by Rich »

By the way, I have two A600s and the power supplies. They are left over from converting to the Orions, if anyone needs some parts.
2002 DA40-180: MT, PowerFlow, 530W/430W, KAP140, ext. baggage, 1090 ES out, 2646 MTOW, 40gal., Surefly, Flightstream 210, Orion 600 LED, XeVision, Aspen E5
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