Champ Anybody fly with a battery powered tail beacon?

[Low Lead]

As the new owner of a non-electrical L-16A I'm learning something everyday. It didn't take but one flight to realize that these aircraft have incredible visibility. It only took one more flight in a gaggle of other aircraft on a cloudy winter day to realize that I'm virtually invisible to others in the sky (as designed).

I have a floor mounted 12V lithium battery that runs my radio but otherwise no transponder - has anyone here wired an LED Whelen strobe or the equivalent to their rudder for a little more visibility in the pattern? I'm not an EE but with today's LEDs I can't imagine much of a power draw. Thanks!

 

[Bob Turner]

I tried one of those military hand-held strobes. It needs six volts of opposite polarity to the rest of the aircraft. Rather than carry an extra dry cell, I got a 12 volt to six volt converter from Frye's, and it worked.

But be advised - on a camouflaged aircraft you will need a lot more than a few strobes to be seen. We have a couple flight schools with black aircraft. Strobes all over them, and when they are below you they disappear. Ditto the warbirds in OD.

 

[Low Lead]

Thanks Bob and agreed on it taking more than just a strobe to be seen. It just seems a guy can't have a camouflaged aircraft and be seen at the same time. Can't believe Fry's just went out of business overnight. I loved that place!