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Anti - Collision Beacons

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  • Anti - Collision Beacons

    Hi Guys ,

    MY Question is...

    With the anti-collision lights is each beacon on a timer or a random timer , cos I've noticed with the 733's that they sometimes are in sync then all of a sudden they arent etc , yet the Airbuses both flick at the same time and so do the 73H's

  • #2
    methinks we need to recruit a mechanic to answer some questions in this forum.

    Comment


    • #3
      Someone asked this question on another site, the accepted answer had something to do with capacitors. If I remember correctly....The older they got, the more out of synch as they got older until they burned out. Newer aircraft lights are controlled better to keep the lights in synch until they fail.

      Of course, someone with actual experience should know how it all works better than someone whos just read about it on the internet

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      • #4
        Well, I've just completed an Avro RJ course in Airfame/Electrics. And you know what? They didn't mention anything about the anti-cols! As an engine fitter by trade, I find electrics mind boggling and a complete mystery! However, I would say they are set on a timer circuit which may vary from aircraft to aircraft.

        Perhaps an avionics specialist would be able to answer this tricky and somewhat awkward question!

        Andy

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        • #5
          yeah, I doubt that a regular A&P even could answer this. I bet its one of those things where if it isn't workin, you just replace a bulb, or another part of the system and hope it works again.

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          • #6
            Originally posted by screaming_emu
            you just replace a bulb, or another part of the system and hope it works again.
            Turn upside down and shake

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            • #7
              Right, made some enquiries and it would appear that anti-col lights (on our aircraft anyway) are mounted on a rotary motor. They have a silvered reflector behind and and one half of the bulb is also silvered. This gives the "on-off" effect.

              Hope this helps

              Andy

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              • #8
                Yes i understand that part Andy , but what I'm asking is how come sometimes the lights both bottom and top are syncronised then all of a sudden they arent

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                • #9
                  when I get home tonight I'll see if there is anything about it in the book I have on aircraft systems. They do have some obscure stuff in there, so you never know.

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                  • #10
                    Andy, that style of rotating beacon is rarely used on newer types due to the number of moving parts. The Tristar had two upper and two lower beacons to allow for redundancy and they were replaced from inside the aircraft!

                    Newer beacon lights (red anti-collision lights) use strobing units similar to the wingtip strobes, although usually not as powerful.

                    Mr Boeing states:
                    Red Anti–collision Lights
                    The red anti–collision lights are strobe lights located on the top and bottom of the
                    fuselage.
                    The sequence of the flashes depend on if each light has it's own strobing unit or if they are independent. Even independent units can flash together as they are powered up together and therefore will start flashing together. If a unit is on the way out it will then start to drop out of sequence.

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                    • #11
                      Why thank you AJ. Just goes to show the age of the aircraft I have to deal with! Avro RJ100's and Dash 8's. Ah well, one day BA Connect will re-equip and...........................................................pigs will fly!

                      Andy

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                      • #12
                        I checked and none of my books had anything about the operation of the anti-colision lights. Doesn't matter since AJ found the answer. Just making sure you didn't think I forgot.

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