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Whelen Beacon
- Kristofer Duckett
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Kristin Winter- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Don
- 9089P
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Be sure to get the model Kristin quoted as other Whelen beacons do not have the same good fit.
Also put in their landing lights - another easy drop in - except for having to drop the tip tanks.
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer ICS 08899
PA-39 #10 Texas
N3322G- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Don
- 9089P
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer ICS 08899
PA-39 #10 Texas
N3322G- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Thanks for the replies!
- Kristofer Duckett
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Good luck, Don
- 9089P
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Page 26 of the Whelen catalog has more information - basically the beacons are made as a 2.6" diameter unit but most Comanches have a 3.7" dia hole for the old rotating beacons so you want to order the beacon that includes an adapter which fills that space. The beacon uses 4 screws to attach to the adapter and the adapter needs 3 screws to attach to the Comanche. From what I remember the catalog has the red/white model but not the red/red model - call Whelen and they will help you out on getting the right part number.
I also have the Whelen LED Parmetheus landing lights and they are a huge improvement over the old quartz units. I put "landing" lights on both sides but often wonder if I should have done a "landing" light on one side and "taxi" on the other - I think this would give you both the long-distance and wide-width beams to maximize your visibility. Also, I'd love to see a head-to-head of the Whelen versus the AeroLED landing lights as I think those may be even brighter yet.
For what it's worth, Whelen also told me that by next summer they intend to have an approved replacement for our teardrop-shaped nav lights that's a combination LED NAV/LED Strobe setup. I currently have the LED nav bulbs but would love the add in LED strobes as well but it has to be that specific-shaped unit to work with my tip tanks.
Matt Bogard- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Whelen Beacon
Randy Johnson- Posts: 176
- Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:57 am
- Location: Boston Area (BEV)
Re: Whelen Beacon
Kristin Winter- ICS member
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- Location: Northern California
Re: Whelen Beacon
Matt Bogard- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Whelen Beacon
Kristin I have a 62 PA 24-250. The 3.7" base looks right and I have no strobe on the top of the tail. Would guess the part number you describe above would work for me?
Randy Johnson- Posts: 176
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Kristin Winter- ICS member
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- Location: Northern California
Re: Whelen Beacon
Quick question, Ive got a 1965 260 with the mechanical rotating becon above the baggage bay. The part number 010770900-4 I dont see on the Whelen list nor does it pull up anything on aircraftspruce.
On the Whelen parts list I'm trying to track down the part there but can't find it on the list. That part number you provided 010770900-4,what series of led is that on the list? Im assuming its the all red one, maybe the 90520 series or the white/red HRFA series. Not going to lie Im not feeling the white/red combo at first look but if its brighter/better then it may grow on me.
Thanks for your help, unable to call from overseas and trying to order online so I can have it ready for when I get back to the states.
Thanks,
Pat
- Patrick Reilly
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- Joined: Wed Jan 11, 2012 2:28 am
Re: Whelen Beacon
Call Whelen - they are very knowledgeable on the phone. I'm 99" sure you have the 3.7" base with three screws for mounting - they can give you the right part number in no time based on whether you want Red/Red or Red/White. I went with Red/Red and it's very, very bright.
Matt Bogard- Posts: 110
- Joined: Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 pm
- Location: Omaha, NE
Re: Whelen Beacon
I second Matt's suggestion. Whelen must know their part numbers. I have a 2009 catalog which shows my beacon by the part number I gave you. It looks like they may either be phasing that one our, or have combined it as a part of another product line and changed the numbers. I can't make heads or tails of it either, though I bought one about a year ago so they were still available then.
Kristin Winter- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Alan
Alan Cheak- ICS member
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- Location: Peachtree City, GA KFFC
Re: Whelen Beacon
Talking to Whelen, the previous part number discussed earlier 01-0770900-04 has been superseded by 01-0771080-55. Unfortionately for me I'm unable to track one down. Aircraft spruce right by me in Corona said it looks like a 8 week lead time and they'll get back to me with pricing. Whelen stated it is retail priced at $795 but expect.
To find it for ~600's. (UPDATE: $665 from Aircraft Spruce)
I hope this helps anyone else trying to change out their beacon with the latest part number. Unfortionately my mechanical beacon lights but will no longer rotate the glass plates.
Thanks for everyone's help!
Pat
- Patrick Reilly
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Kris
- Kristofer Duckett
- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Have you tried Chief in Oregon? I believe that is where I bought mine.
Good Luck, Don
- 9089P
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Just to give you a heads up on Chief, they've informed me yesterday it'd be 4-6 weeks lea time and the price is $695. Seems like these things are selling like hot cakes or they only make them after ones been ordered.
Best Regards,
Pat Reilly
- Patrick Reilly
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Alan
Alan Cheak- ICS member
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- Location: Peachtree City, GA KFFC
Re: Whelen Beacon
The mounting ring you referenced, is that a separate part to be ordered? When I did my install, it mounted fine but I felt it allowed for the possibility of allowing water to get in to the fuselage. I sealed it with silicone but I'm wondering if the ring(the mounting ring model A440) you mention is to solve the water issue.
Thanks, Don
- 9089P
- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Whelen did re-design and 'improve' their beacon. The improved beacon was not a good fit for the housing on my twin because the screw holes had it sit too low in the housing. Yes, I got to install it twice and there is a longer story but for now ...
Whelen LED Model 709004 or Part Number 01-0770900-04 is a 100% 'red' LED beacon and fits in the Piper housing as delivered on PA39s the same way the old rotating beacon did. While this is not on the website or in the current catalog, Whelen tells me it is still available.
The 'newer' model is smaller and allowed a moat of water to sit around the beacon. When I shared this problem with Whelen two years ago, they said I was the first person to complain about this. Here is a photo comparison. Double click on the photos to make them larger and clearer.
- Attachments
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer ICS 08899
PA-39 #10 Texas
N3322G- ICS member
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:58 pm
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas area
Re: Whelen Beacon
Yes the mounting ring ( A440 ) is seperate. Cost is 20 bucks.
Alan
Alan Cheak- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Jim
- MULEFLY
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Zach Grant L1011jock- Technical Advisor
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Patricia Jayne (Pat) Keefer ICS 08899
PA-39 #10 Texas
N3322G- ICS member
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 1:58 pm
- Location: Fort Worth, Texas area
Re: Whelen Beacon
Does anyone have a copy of their 337 for the install they wouldn't mind sharing with me so I can compare it for my notes?
Just to update this topic with more info. I finally received my beacon today from Aircraft Spruce from Whelen ordered 1/8/13 P/N: 01-0771080-55 (Which superceded P/N: 01-0770900-04 the other LED beacon shown in previous pictures on this topic)
As Pat did a great job showing us the difference between the 2 it is definately smaller. My first reaction was I don't like it and want the other one seen but being its superceded, I waited 2 months to replace my old grimes one, and I cant get my money back from spruce for the special order I think it will grow on me! Ive attached some pics of the new assembly. Not much to it.
Ill add some pictures of it installed. Obviously some sealant will be going to fill in the possible "moat" Im not planning on having to take it out any time soon so I'll build it up so water can't rest in there, if/when it has to come out I will cut the caulk.
I guess the bright side it it will be less drag being it is smaller, I consider it a speed mod haha.
- Patrick Reilly
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Alan
Alan Cheak- ICS member
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- Location: Peachtree City, GA KFFC
Re: Whelen Beacon
Don
- 9089P
- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
I filled the moat with some caulk. Below are some pics, day and night video. My buddy followed behind me to another airport today and was very impressed with the light intensity and being able to see it so far away even during the day. Overall a great mod to do when your old style goes bad.
Hope this was helpful,
Pat
Day:
Day Video:
Night Video:
- Patrick Reilly
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Daniel Haumesser- ICS member
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Re: Whelen Beacon
Alan
Alan Cheak- ICS member
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- Joined: Sun Jan 12, 2003 8:17 pm
- Location: Peachtree City, GA KFFC