Looking to add driving lights - Your likes & dislikes.

[kojackJKU]

I'm at the point that me seeing trumps looks. But I'm going to make up a removable mount for a set.
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[Beamer pilot]

Anyone ever try an aircraft landing light? 24 volt, you can get them used off small a/c salvage, that will turn night into high noon as far as you need to see with a wide beam!

Make sure you get a landing light and not a taxi light, different pattern. I run an LED on my airplane, not as bright as my Lightforce on the Jeep...
A selection below, not cheap...
http://www.aircraftspruce.ca/categories/aircraft_parts/ap/menus/el/landinglights_whelen.html

 

[lugueto]

You know, a company here sells a light that is a GE landing light sealed beam on a casing that is pretty similar to KC daylighters made of plastic. These are 100W halogen lights. They're extremely cheap, have an awesome pattern and are really bright.

 

[Beamer pilot]

You know, a company here sells a light that is a GE landing light sealed beam on a casing that is pretty similar to KC daylighters made of plastic. These are 100W halogen lights. They're extremely cheap, have an awesome pattern and are really bright.

On the "heavies" we run wing landing lights that you can see for miles and turn them on as per standard operating procedures below 10,000 feet until touchdown. Unaffordable !!!
Most lights on small aircraft are no better than what we run on vehicles and often worse. As for GE you can cross match and see that it's the same as tractor spotlights!!!

 

[mog]

You know, a company here sells a light that is a GE landing light sealed beam on a casing that is pretty similar to KC daylighters made of plastic. These are 100W halogen lights. They're extremely cheap, have an awesome pattern and are really bright.

Aircraft landing lights are a different breed (I've work corporate aviation for 30+ years)
While they are bright (depending on bulb) if you look in the GE catalog, some only have a 'life' of 25 hours.
They are used for approach only and as soon as the plane has landed they are switched off and taxi lights are switched on.
They also general a crazy amount of heat. On our aircraft (a Falcon 50) if they are left on they will melt/distort the clear fairing in front of them
While they can hold up to the shock of landing (what, all pilots don't make butter smooth landings?) that is one shock (or 2-3) not the continues pounding of off-road driving.
Landing lights are not the way to go.
BTW- most of the 'real good ones' light wise are 24vdc

 

[Beamer pilot]

Aircraft landing lights are a different breed (I've work corporate aviation for 30+ years)
While they are bright (depending on bulb) if you look in the GE catalog, some only have a 'life' of 25 hours.
They are used for approach only and as soon as the plane has landed they are switched off and taxi lights are switched on.
They also general a crazy amount of heat. On our aircraft (a Falcon 50) if they are left on they will melt/distort the clear fairing in front of them
While they can hold up to the shock of landing (what, all pilots don't make butter smooth landings?) that is one shock (or 2-3) not the continues pounding of off-road driving.
Landing lights are not the way to go.
BTW- most of the 'real good ones' light wise are 24vdc

I concur...except the part about "butter smooth landings" I think I did two of them...in over forty years on the flight deck...Yep, close to packing it in to expedition full time.
Reason I follow this thread - need good lighting.

 

[craig333]

Back when I was evaluating PAR36 bulbs for flood lights (found some good ones) we also tried some aircraft landing lights. Aside from the very short life the pattern was such a tight spot it was not really useful for vehicle lighting. Bright though.

 

[kojackJKU]

I know sport compact car used them on a rally car project, melted the front grill wher they had them mounted.