The International Cessna 170 Association

A friend has a 172 with a strobe unit on the verticle stab. The bulb has burned out and it appears finding a new bulb is unlikely. The strobe unit appears to be no longer mfg'd. He has the option of spending two to two and a half times more $ for an approved replacement unit OR buying one that will work just as well, but isn't approved for a 172 (but is for C-180/185). The out of pocket cost is around $250 for the unapproved one. What advise would you folks give this individual? I think I know what advise you will give, but I still want your input.

If it were mine I would bite the bullet and replace it with the same type or an approved replacement. I replaced an inop Whelen HRCFA with a 90520 LED. The light isn't a strobe, it flashes and it is absolutely the brightest anti-collision light I have ever seen. You can't look it when it flashes.
http://www.whelen.com/images/_avi/Self_ ... /90520.jpg

Read up on strobe bulbs and make your own from common parts available from quality electric stores.
It's jus a strobe bulb and can be had for $5. Then fit it to the base that the burnt out one uses.

170C wrote:A friend has a 172 with a strobe unit on the verticle stab. The bulb has burned out and it appears finding a new bulb is unlikely. The strobe unit appears to be no longer mfg'd. He has the option of spending two to two and a half times more $ for an approved replacement unit OR buying one that will work just as well, but isn't approved for a 172 (but is for C-180/185). The out of pocket cost is around $250 for the unapproved one. What advise would you folks give this individual? I think I know what advise you will give, but I still want your input.

Has this "friend" also installed a Bolen tailwheel conversion on his 172?

No, fortunately I have Whalen units on mine. This friend went ahead and ordered a Whelen unit similar to the one on my planes belly. A self contained one to fit up on his verticle stab.