Whelen Parmetheus™ G3 PAR 46 Landing Light - FAA-PMA

Hope this review helps owners of Antique Aircraft Contemplating an LED landing light upgrade: The Whelen Parmetheus PAR 46 LED light, is a game changer for older Aircraft with generators and fixed or limited electrical capacity. While the paperwork notes that the Cessna 170 is approved on the STC, this is no mean feat to install. (I doubt they tested the installation before approving it) In this particular instance, I was installing it on a 1948 Cessna 170 with a 35 Amp Generator and a Grimes D-3040-A retractable landing light assembly. While the backside of the Parmetheus PAR 46 is the same shape and form of the original bulb, the lens is significantly different in that it extends approximately 1/4” proud of the surface, where the original GE4522 only extends approximately 3/32”. Because the bulb must be forced back into the Grimes fixture compressing the spring holding assembly which forces the light tight against the snap ring, excessive force is required to force the new Whelen Parmetheus PAR 46 back into the Grimes light housing in order for the snap ring to be installed. In fact I had to ease/grind the inner snap ring ever so lightly so as to relieve a little of the tension. Thus this installation necessitates removal of the Grimes D-3040-A retractable landing light assembly from the wing so that the Parmetheus PAR 46 can be installed on the bench. You will also need a 12 volt bench power supply or 12 volt battery handy and plan on replacing the wiring unless it has recently been rebuilt with modern wiring. I am an experienced IA - this is not an owner diy project. It has taken me 12 hours labor including paperwork to install. But the result is a landing light that shines bright, lasts a long time and does not deplete the aircraft battery. Landing light current consumption drops from a whopping 19.2 Amps to 6-7 Amps.

Works fine. The rubber gasket made it really tight to install.

Jerome T Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Got rid of the lens melting incandescent bulbs! Super simple STC to do.

Micren D Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Nice and bright and she looks happy. The plane, not the wife.

Ciro H Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Light is very bright. Quality product!

Vision A Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

I installed this on my Travel Air and it was significantly brighter than the original incandescent light. I can see the whole landing area clearly now.

Rnp A Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Not exactly cheap but showed the expected level of performance. Quick delivery too. Time will tell about reliability.

Philippe C Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Installed this LED landing light on my 1975 C-172M yesterday. Current draw of the LED versus the GE 4522 incandescent was about half, 7.6A/15.8A. The LED was at least twice as bright as the incandescent in a simultaneous side by side comparison. Lower current and brighter output make the significant price difference worthwhile.

Roy B Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Directly compared 250W GE 4522 on left wing and G3 on right. This is the first LED to win in range and width of useful illumination.

Angel A Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Great light although I thought it was a little pricey

Duard H Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Real world numbers from my install last night- I replaced my 6 year old Parmetheus Plus lights with the new Parmetheus G3 lights. I have an older Bonanza with the two Par46 landing lights in the wings (one per wing) and the single Par36 Taxi light in the nose. Using my Greenlee Digital Light Meter 93-172, I measured the following: Before at 20 feet: 500 Lumens or 46 Foot Candles. Before at 100 feet: 8.6 LUX or 0.8 FC. After at 20 feet: 2000 LUX or 185 FC. After at 100 feet: 76.6 LUX or 7.12 FC. It makes a huge difference. Amp draw on the 2 landing lights together went from 5.2 AMPS to 12 AMPS on the 12V system, still within 80% of my 20A circuit breaker. Amp draw on the single taxi light went from 1.2 AMPS to 3.8 AMPS @ 12V. Just over double the current draw, but over 4 X brighter. Readings were taken on battery power only with no charging in between. My aircraft gained 1.2 LB.

Easy, no-brainer upgrade. Who doesnt want to see more at night and be seen better during the day?

Christopher Y Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC

Despite all the hype, LED landing lights generally don’t have the same penetrating light beam as a standard GE bulb. But I had $800 to burn so I installed two G3 par 46 bulbs in the Meyers. I took before and after pictures to demonstrate the bulb output against the old GE standby, but Spruce won’t allow photos as part of a review ?? so I guess if you want to see the pictures just text me and I’ll send them to you. Long story short, this bulb has the same penetration as a GE bulb but it’s much higher on the color temperature scale. Very white light. Amps are exactly half of the old bulbs. Does make some heat, probably enough to keep the snow melted off the front. Speaking of snow, I would like to see photos of someone flying with this bulb in snow. I bet the bright color of this light would make snow almost blinding at night. But then we may never know since there are no pictures allowed.

Dustin D Verified Purchase

Whelen Parmetheus G3 Par 46 Landing Light 14 To 28VDC