Nav Light cover needed

[sysrep]

I am trying to get my BC12D lit up for evening flying. I was so happy to have found a LED lamp to fit the socket and I was trying it out. While taking the red light cover off to try out the bulb, the un-thinkable happened. I need to find a red glass cover for my wing tip light. It is the type with a bail or wire retainer holding the cover. I am sending a picture of it.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Nav Light cover needed

If you still have the green one you can use it to make a mold and cast one from acrylic. It isn't the best solution, but if you are careful you can make one that is tinted like the original and can't be told from a glass one till you tap on it.
I wouldn't use an acrylic dome with a regular light bulb. I don't know how much heat they give off or how much heat the plastic can take.
Hank

[sysrep]

Re: Nav Light cover needed

I have no experience making a mold for casting a replacement. What would the mold be made of? What type of acrylic would be needed?

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Nav Light cover needed

Check out the local craft stores. There are several ways to do it and I have found the little old ladies working in those places just LOVE to help young studley pilots with unusual projects like this (they will even jump on us OLD not so studley pilots if given a chance!)
They have all the mold making materials as well as casting resins and small plastic pellets you melt into the mold in the oven. You will need to make a two piece mold (inside and outside).
I have used silicon for molds that was good for several casts, but the BEST molds I made were done with a dentist friend. We used left over mold material that was made from seaweed (one shot mold). We cast the parts from the plastic they use to make false teeth plates. Came out beautiful and we just did it with the left over materials he was mixing up to make a set of false teeth. I don't think the dental plate material comes in clear though.
Hank