Whelen Beacon

[Patrick Reilly]

Hi Kristin,

Quick question, Ive got a 1965 260 with the mechanical rotating becon above the baggage bay. The part number 010770900-4 I dont see on the Whelen list nor does it pull up anything on aircraftspruce.

On the Whelen parts list I'm trying to track down the part there but can't find it on the list. That part number you provided 010770900-4,what series of led is that on the list? Im assuming its the all red one, maybe the 90520 series or the white/red HRFA series. Not going to lie Im not feeling the white/red combo at first look but if its brighter/better then it may grow on me.

Thanks for your help, unable to call from overseas and trying to order online so I can have it ready for when I get back to the states.

Thanks,
Pat

[Matt Bogard]

Pat,

Call Whelen - they are very knowledgeable on the phone. I'm 99" sure you have the 3.7" base with three screws for mounting - they can give you the right part number in no time based on whether you want Red/Red or Red/White. I went with Red/Red and it's very, very bright.

[Kristin Winter]

Pat,

I second Matt's suggestion. Whelen must know their part numbers. I have a 2009 catalog which shows my beacon by the part number I gave you. It looks like they may either be phasing that one our, or have combined it as a part of another product line and changed the numbers. I can't make heads or tails of it either, though I bought one about a year ago so they were still available then.

[Alan Cheak]

As my airplane goes into annual next month I just discovered that once again my rotating beacon bulb has burnt out. Guess I'll replace it with a strobe. Took these photos of some airplanes last year at the ICS convention in Savanna.

Alan

[Patrick Reilly]

Finally got settled in back home and got a chance to track down this infamous whelen led beacon.

Talking to Whelen, the previous part number discussed earlier 01-0770900-04 has been superseded by 01-0771080-55. Unfortionately for me I'm unable to track one down. Aircraft spruce right by me in Corona said it looks like a 8 week lead time and they'll get back to me with pricing. Whelen stated it is retail priced at $795 but expect.

To find it for ~600's. (UPDATE: $665 from Aircraft Spruce)

I hope this helps anyone else trying to change out their beacon with the latest part number. Unfortionately my mechanical beacon lights but will no longer rotate the glass plates.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Pat

[Kristofer Duckett]

Thank you for that info Pat. I'm am in the market for the beacon as well as mine is seriously grinding! I'm about to get an annual done so hopefully I can work it out.

Kris

[9089P]

Hi Kris,

Have you tried Chief in Oregon? I believe that is where I bought mine.

Good Luck, Don

[Patrick Reilly]

Hello Kris,

Just to give you a heads up on Chief, they've informed me yesterday it'd be 4-6 weeks lea time and the price is $695. Seems like these things are selling like hot cakes or they only make them after ones been ordered.

Best Regards,
Pat Reilly

[Alan Cheak]

Emailed Whelen this morning and confirmed that the red LED to replace the rotating beacon on the fuselage is part number 01-0771080-55 for a 12 volt system. You'll also need the mounting ring model A440. Just put one one backorder from Aircraft Spruce here in Peachtree City. Total cost, $679.20. Hope I don't have to wait too long for it to arrive.

Alan

[9089P]

Hi Alan,

The mounting ring you referenced, is that a separate part to be ordered? When I did my install, it mounted fine but I felt it allowed for the possibility of allowing water to get in to the fuselage. I sealed it with silicone but I'm wondering if the ring(the mounting ring model A440) you mention is to solve the water issue.

Thanks, Don

[N3322G]

To all,

Whelen did re-design and 'improve' their beacon. The improved beacon was not a good fit for the housing on my twin because the screw holes had it sit too low in the housing. Yes, I got to install it twice and there is a longer story but for now ...

Whelen LED Model 709004 or Part Number 01-0770900-04 is a 100% 'red' LED beacon and fits in the Piper housing as delivered on PA39s the same way the old rotating beacon did. While this is not on the website or in the current catalog, Whelen tells me it is still available.

The 'newer' model is smaller and allowed a moat of water to sit around the beacon. When I shared this problem with Whelen two years ago, they said I was the first person to complain about this. Here is a photo comparison. Double click on the photos to make them larger and clearer.

[Alan Cheak]

Don:

Yes the mounting ring ( A440 ) is seperate. Cost is 20 bucks.

Alan

[MULEFLY]

Pat -- I'd bet that beacon slows you 5 kts!

Jim

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Just means they can see the beacon longer as she goes by...

[N3322G]

Jim and Zach - you guys are too funny - thanks for the laughs. Hope to see you both at Clifton in April. should be fun and always a learning experience.