[TowerTalk] Obstruction Lighting

[robrk@echomatrix.net]

12 volts and a NEMA box big enough to hold a deep cycle battery to keep
the lights on when 110 goes away, in the storm.


> Due to my proximity to a small airport, the FAA is requiring obstruction
> lighting (L-810 light or lights) on my tower; painting is not required
> though. The tower will be a Tri-Ex LM-354HDSP 54' crank-up with 15' of
> mast
> out the top.
>
> My first decision is where to mount the light(s). I was planning on a
> VHF/UHF vertical on the top of the mast. If I do this, then I'm going to
> need two lights since the light couldn't sit on the top of the mast. To
> cut
> the lighting cost in half, I will probably make a sidearm for the VHF/UHF
> vertical to mount on pointed downward, thus allowing the light to sit on
> the
> top of the mast.
>
> The next decision isn't quite as easy to make. I can use a standard 110
> VAC
> light that costs about $120 or a 12 VDC light that costs $223 (Dialight
> model 860-1R03-001 from www.unimar.com). Either option only requires a
> couple of amps.
>
> I will have mast mounted preamps for 6m, 2m, and 70cm mounted at the top
> of
> the tower, so I need 12 VDC there anyway. I could run 110 VAC to a NEMA
> box
> with a 12 VDC power supply in it to feed the preamps and use the 110 VAC
> to
> feed a standard L-810 light. A heavy outdoor extension cord, or stranded
> THHN, encased in flexible conduit would be used to run the 110 VAC to the
> top. The tower will already have 110 VAC at the base to run the winch.
> Alternatively, I could use the more expensive 12 VDC L-810 light and just
> run 12 VDC to the tower top for everything; running the preamps and light
> from a trickle charged battery would provide for emergency power.
>
> I'm leaning strongly towards the last choice (all 12 VDC on the tower),
> but
> looking for input from the collective wisdom and experience of the group
> before committing.
>
> Thanks,
> Doug
> K4DDR
>
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>
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