Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Gents,

Me again. Before noticing a hint of 100LL, I was out getting night current in my Thorp. Mine has a Grimes landing light that comes out of the belly. During preflight I checked and it does rotate out and come on as designed. However, while landing the beam seems non-existant. Anyone else have this configuration? if so, how well does it work for you? is there away to adjust the lamp for proper landing configuration alignment?

Ok, no more questions today.

Thanks.

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Sounds like a loose connection, Chuck - during preflight, jiggle it around and see if it is intermittent - toggle your switch a few times as well.....perhaps have someone watch a flyby, or a day wingman to see if it is deployed and working as advertised.
I'm practicing night landing without a landing light these days as well - am considering putting an actuator operated hinged landing light under my seat as well.....I think having it come down sideways (hinge in line with fuse) would be the way to go.

Chuck I had the same setup in N22DS/N589LW. Most of those grimes landing lights are 28V so mine put a GOOD load on. Not sure how you have yours setup but mine was on a toggle and adjustable (ON-OFF-ON) so it was adjustable in flight for whatever phase of flight I needed. Incidentally I happily removed it when N22DS became N589LW.

Don

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I went the Chuck Borden route (used his drawings) , except I used an LED landing lite that will out last me ! ATC likes the lite ! If you are going to take the trouble to install one , install one that will work and be seen ! BOOM !

RB

Lee, the toggle is indeed an on off on set-up. I found tonight that when the light came down it went to (I'm guessing) 120 degrees or so and the beam shines just forward of the landing gear and unable to be seen while landing . Is there an adjustment for the amount of deflection? I'll give it a look see this weekend.
@ Frase, also found that the light was intermittent with a bad ground? when I reached under the panel and touched the wires it would turn on (or off). So.....I wanted a winter project, guess I have one....or two.

Thanks again, the wealth of knowledge and support is greatly appreciated.

It's gettin cold heya ta nite! the kilt, she's a bit drafty.

Slainte.

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

Please no pics of a drafty Kilt !

RB

No worries....the landing light is too dim!

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

HOOT MON, HOOT MON ! Tis a bit chilly in San Diego tonite . Our first Winter Storm ! Time to turn on the electric blanket and take off the Kilt !

RB

I make my point for a landing/recon. lite in that you may never need it for nite ops , but during the day it will make you "seen and be seen" and when ATC sez turn on your "landing lite" it will help separate you from the rest of the pack in the pattern or arriving to land . I turn on ALL my lites during taxi as I operate out of KSEE which has a great deal of "Foreign Students" that fly out of KSEE . Nothing against the students...I was one ! I just like to make my plane as visible as possible ! I built mine...they rent theirs !

RB

It was cold there last nite. Bumpy as all get out. Glad I was in something a ill heavier than my Thorp.
Cubes

Another underpayed , complaining Airline Pilot ! I'll see if I can find you some smooth air and a warm bed !

RB

Lee: you mentioned your Grimes was "adjustable in flight for whatever phase of flight needed". Mine doesn't appear to be adjustable. When lifting the switch to the up or on position it deploys the Grimes Light and it only illuminates when it reaches the stop position. When switching to the down position it retracts the light, but also turns it off. Am I to understand that yours would stay on and you where able to "adjust" the beam while in landing configuration?

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI

The Grimes light is adjustable for angle. It is done by moving the contact points on the side of the housing. It's a pain to get to and you'll have to iterate a bit but it can be done. I located a Grimes manual & some other info on the web when I had a problem with my unit over the summer. This is my first attempt at attaching documents. If you can't get them send me a message with your e-mail & I'll send them directly. The light can be wired a few different ways. I set mine up with a external relay so that turning on the lamp would extend the light and turning it off would retract it.

Hank

That is one heck of a light ! Do you get any rumble/vibration when it is extended ?

RB

Hank,

Got the attachments and this should help tremendously. Already printed off the manual for the adjustment.

Thanks!

_________________
Chuck Kincer
Richmond, Me
575CK
KIWI