X-Mozilla-Keys:                                                                                 
Nick wrote:

I have tried the red, green and blue LEDs in my airplane.   After
experimenting for many hours, I found blue (although brighter) makes the
inst. very hard to see.  Green is not bright enough (even the high power
ones). Reading approach plates with blue or green is tough,

I settled on the trusty red LEDs for my panel.  They are the cheapest
and I found they work best when used as a spot (a sort of track type) 
light.....  On my LongEZ the canopy closed down and I placed the LED's
on the canopy.  By taking some copper foil tape, cutting it in half, and
using it for power you can solder the led leads directly to the copper. 
Aim the LED and flox/micro in place.  Makes a neat little track light.  
Very cheap.

By using the 15 deg angle LEDs you can used 1 LED per inst.  They also
make a 120 deg LED which will wash almost the entire panel.

Don't worry about getting the super HIGH power LEDs.  Once your eyes get
adjusted to the night, I find they are too bright and I have to dim them
to the maximum extent possible.

For map reading, LEDs are too dim to make out the detail easily.  I
tried ganging them (3 high power) which is good for approach plates, but
I still keep a small flashlight with a blue/green filter for a backup.

Nick
N29TM

 
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