Stock instrument panel lights

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

I just removed the floating instrument panel, cleaned and repainted it and reinstalled it all with new shock dampers. I also took the time to run a ground wire to each of the stock instrument light sockets. Installed my Sharpie red GE1816 bulbs and I should be good to go for a night flight.

Problem is my airplane is now based at a daytime only grass field. Doesn't lend itself much to night flights to see how well these stock lights work. I didn't have stock lights in my last 170 so I'm wondering if the tips of 5 bulbs sticking through the panel really will light up the instruments.

Anyone else using the stock system? Are your bulbs transparent red, opaque red or clear?

[mike roe]

Bruce
When I removed my floating panel on my 52 it was painted white on the inside.Dont know if it was factory,but makes sense.
Mike

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Thanks Mike. I repainted the sub panel itself as well as the inside of the panel overlay a metallic silver. Figured it may not help but''t couldn't hurt.

I would have left the sub panel natural aluminum which one should to consider if they don't wire a ground to each socket otherwise the sockets probably won't get a good ground. I only painted it because it was actually severally corroded from a few years of an improperly installed leaky windshield years in the past.

[GAHorn]

Back when my eyes were much younger, the pipeline patrol 140's had that same lighting system and it was adequate. I made many return flights home late at night. (Of course, we didn't have Sharpies back then, so I cannot predict the results of that high-tech mod.)

[KS170A]

Bruce,
I did the same thing to my stock lights some years ago (running a ground wire). The lighting was "adequate," but my main dissatisfier then became glare on the windscreen at night from light that would escape between the floating panel and the overlay. I've cut out a new floating panel, sans socket lighting, and plan to go with either Nu-lites or Fiberlites.

[blueldr]

Install a glare shield and it will stop the instrument light windshield glare too.

[bsdunek]

IMHO, the stock lighting system is OK for the instruments, but it doesn't light the rest of the panel. I have an overhead light that illuminates the whole panel, and that with the stock instrument lights is much better.