Yesterday afternoon I saw a prototype of a red flashing
beacon sent in to Raytheon for evaluation. The light emitters
were an array of about 50 high intensity RED leds. The
total power draw of this beacon at 28v was .3 amps.
A 14v model would be .6 amps. Aside from the usual
glass dome over the lamps, there was only a small lump
on the bottom of the fixture to provide a housing for
flasher electronics.
As I watched the demonstration, I wondered if the intensity
and color requirements were being met but all-in-all,
the prototype was impressive. I've been pondering the
possibility of doing something similar on amateur built
airplanes. Xenon filled tubes, 300v power supplies, whining
noises in the headsets and $600 beacons need to go the
way of the dodo bird.
We may have witnessed the seeds of fulfillment of that
wish. Stay tuned.
Bob . . .
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