Cherokee 140 belly strobe replacement bulb?

Brent Perry

Brent Perry

Filing Flight Plan
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perrysplus
Good evening,
I noticed my "new to me" 1964 Cherokee 140's belly strobe does not work. I took off the lens and noticed the flash tube's wires were broken and it was just sitting in the lens itself. I am having a heck of time figuring out a good replacement for this flash tube. I have found a few spiral flash tubes on the internet and checked the measurements, which are close, but the shipping cost is pretty crazy for something that costs less than $20.

Surely someone has replaced one of these things before and has an idea where to get the replacement bulb.

Thanks in advance!
 
My 180 has the belly strobe. Looks like a coffee can with the light on the bottom. It was there when I bought the cherokee, so I don’t know if original or not. Next time at the hangar, I’ll take a photo.
 
Brent Perry said:
Good evening,
I noticed my "new to me" 1964 Cherokee 140's belly strobe does not work. I took off the lens and noticed the flash tube's wires were broken and it was just sitting in the lens itself. I am having a heck of time figuring out a good replacement for this flash tube. I have found a few spiral flash tubes on the internet and checked the measurements, which are close, but the shipping cost is pretty crazy for something that costs less than $20.

Surely someone has replaced one of these things before and has an idea where to get the replacement bulb.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Try Air Parts of Lock Haven
 
Brent Perry said:
Surely someone has replaced one of these things before and has an idea where to get the replacement bulb.
Click to expand...
Is it part of a whelen system? If so locate the power supply and use that P/N to find a replacement bulb. FYI: be sure to keep your fingers off the new flash tube or you can reduce its life.
 
My “new to me” 1967 Cherokee 6-260 has a belly strobe. The lens is cracked, but it still works. I don’t think it is original. It is wired to a breaker that appears to be an add-on. I think the original electronics are all fuses. I have a very thick parts manual at the hanger. I will see if I can find anything in there. I should get by there today.
197DCF65-46BE-4574-AFD9-9668D95B0235.jpeg
 
Just got to the hanger. It’s Whelen. Here’s a pic of the only numbers on the plastic cover.

D23E6849-D162-404E-B6AC-7ED6A81FD98C.jpeg
 
Looks like a Common unit.

Not Piper item.

Identify model and AC Spruce, Chief , Sky geek etc should stock.
 
Yeah, I was going to try and look through the parts manual to help the OP out, but mine is definitely not stock.
 
Motor6 said:
Yeah, I was going to try and look through the parts manual to help the OP out, but mine is definitely not stock.
Click to expand...
I appreciate it, mine is different though. When I get back to the plane I will see what I can do to take a picture of it and pull it out and check on the mfg.
Thanks!
 
After combing thru the mountain of files that came with my plane I found the strobe unit that was installed. Curious, the STC is for Cessna and I own a Piper…No matter. lol
This bulb seems expensive though, I found a few others that are close and might work just as well.
anyone know if there are LEDs that can go in place of this flash tube?
 

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The STC is for a Cessna 180; other aircraft require a Field Approval 337.

Says so in the ad and that’s how I’ve done them.

“Close” may be wasted money.

My guess is you’ll have to buy a complete unit to get LED.
 
Motor6 said:
My “new to me” 1967 Cherokee 6-260 has a belly strobe. The lens is cracked, but it still works. I don’t think it is original. It is wired to a breaker that appears to be an add-on. I think the original electronics are all fuses. I have a very thick parts manual at the hanger. I will see if I can find anything in there. I should get by there today.
View attachment 99964
Click to expand...
Yep, that looks just like mine.
 
Brent Perry said:
anyone know if there are LEDs that can go in place of this flash tube?
Click to expand...
LEDs won't work with this power supply. And more than likely the same with the "close" bulbs which could cause you more issues. If you're curious on the light install and have all the records, there should be a log entry on the install. And if you don't have all the records, you could also request the aircraft alteration history from the FAA which lists 337s, etc on certain equipment, however, not all light installs are considered a major alteration and don't require a 337 to be filed.
 
Bell206 said:
LEDs won't work with this power supply. And more than likely the same with the "close" bulbs which could cause you more issues. If you're curious on the light install and have all the records, there should be a log entry on the install. And if you don't have all the records, you could also request the aircraft alteration history from the FAA which lists 337s, etc on certain equipment, however, not all light installs are considered a major alteration and don't require a 337 to be filed.
Click to expand...
I have the records but there was no log entry for this install...Least not that I could find. I have the STC but not the 337 paperwork for it. I ordered all the 337s from the FAA, sounds like its gonna be a bit before I get that.
 
Brent Perry said:
I have the records but there was no log entry for this install...Least not that I could find.
Click to expand...
FYI: another possibility on the light mx entry could be it was installed at a repair station which could result in a different type entry than you are searching for. Sometimes researching old logs can be daunting, especially if you are uncertain if they are 100% complete. One tip is to sequentially track the TT/tach time/dates/entry page layout as you research. Sometimes it shows a break in the lineage.
Brent Perry said:
I have the STC but not the 337 paperwork for it.
Click to expand...
By "STC" do you mean just the cover sheet or the entire STC data package with install instructions, etc? FYI: as mentioned, not all STCs require a 337.
 
Bell206 said:
FYI: another possibility on the light mx entry could be it was installed at a repair station which could result in a different type entry than you are searching for. Sometimes researching old logs can be daunting, especially if you are uncertain if they are 100% complete. One tip is to sequentially track the TT/tach time/dates/entry page layout as you research. Sometimes it shows a break in the lineage.
agreed, Ive looked, nothing there. See what the FAA has when the CD arrives.
By "STC" do you mean just the cover sheet or the entire STC data package with install instructions, etc? FYI: as mentioned, not all STCs require a 337.
Click to expand...
By STC I mean the document that talks about the STC with the fancy writing on it. Not the alteration 337 that gets filled out by the IA and sent off to the FAA.
 
Previous 2 posts crossed with my slow typing.

How you move forward may depend on your relationship with your A &P/IA.

The unit is PMA for a Cessna 180.

If you have to pay to have a 337 for a Field Approval you might be better

buying an STC’d unit.

Somewhere in the “ gang files “ I have 337 s for Field Approvals for the

Flight Strobe.

They would likely not be “Approved Data” but could be “Acceptable Data”.

FSDO Folks often like a previous signature prior to theirs.

If needed; PM me.
 
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Magman said:
If you have to pay to have a 337 for a Field Approval
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Curious. Why are you so certain he needs a 337 for the 4400 light install as it does not seem to meet the requirements of a major alteration?
 
I’m not really “ certain” that you “need a 337”.

For me ; the copy machine is my friend.

As we have discussed; FAA policies do vary by region, FSDO and the calendar.

Don’t get me started on what I call “ Grandfathered 337’s”.
 
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