LED Aircraft Navigation Light | Replaces RA-7512 W-1290 | 14V/28V DC
Upgrade your dim, power-hungry incandescent wingtip navigation bulbs to high-intensity LED. The Handxen LED aircraft navigation light is a direct plug-and-play replacement for RA-7512, W-1290, 7079B, and A7512 incandescent bulbs — delivering dramatically brighter output with a fraction of the power draw. With a standard BAY15S base, 180° beam angle, and 12–24V DC compatibility, these bulbs fit most Grimes and Whelen wing tip fixtures on experimental aircraft and marine vessels. Available in red, green, and white for complete position light upgrades.
The Handxen LED nav light is one of the most popular wing tip navigation light upgrades for general aviation aircraft including the Cessna 172, Cessna 182, Piper Cherokee, Beechcraft Bonanza, Mooney M20 series, and Van's RV homebuilts. Drawing only 3W effective power versus 27W for the stock incandescent, it dramatically reduces electrical load while delivering noticeably brighter position light visibility. Built-in EMI suppression circuitry protects COM radios and avionics. Backed by Handxen's 1-year manufacturer warranty and shipped from our US warehouse in City of Industry, CA.
✈️ Why Choose Handxen LED Nav Bulbs?
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💡 Brighter Than Halogen 9 high-power SMD LEDs per bulb deliver significantly brighter output. Better visibility at dusk and night for safer flying. |
📡 No Radio Interference Built-in EMI suppression eliminates radio frequency interference. Your COM radio stays crystal clear — no squelch issues. |
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🔌 True Plug-and-Play Standard BAY15S (nav) / BA15S (tail) base. Drops directly into your existing Grimes or Whelen fixture — no rewiring, no modifications. |
⚡ Ultra-Low Power Draw Only 3W effective consumption vs. 27W incandescent. Reduces electrical load on your aircraft bus significantly. |
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🌡️ 12–24V DC Universal Compatible with 14V single-engine and 28V twin/turbine aircraft electrical systems. Also works on 12V/24V marine systems. |
🔆 180° Beam Angle Full hemisphere coverage meets aviation position light visibility requirements from all angles. |
⚡ LED vs. Incandescent Navigation Light — Why Upgrade?
Replacing your incandescent RA-7512 or W-1290 nav bulbs with Handxen LEDs delivers immediate benefits in brightness, power efficiency, and reliability. Incandescent nav bulbs are prone to filament failure from vibration and consume significantly more power. Here is a side-by-side comparison:
| Specification | Incandescent (RA-7512) | Handxen LED |
|---|---|---|
| Power Draw | 27W per bulb | 3W effective ✓ |
| Brightness | Dim, especially at dusk | Significantly brighter ✓ |
| Vibration Resistance | Poor (filament breakage) | Excellent (solid state) ✓ |
| Startup Time | Slow warm-up | Instant on ✓ |
| Voltage Range | Fixed voltage | 12–24V DC universal ✓ |
| EMI/RFI Protection | Not applicable | Built-in EMI suppression ✓ |
📋 Technical Specifications
| LED Wing Tip Navigation / Tail Light | |
|---|---|
| LED Chips | 9 × High-power SMD LEDs per bulb |
| Rated Power | 27W rated / 3W effective consumption |
| Beam Angle | 180° (full hemisphere) |
| Input Voltage | 12–24V DC (14V and 28V aircraft systems) |
| Bulb Base (Nav) | BAY15S (double contact, offset pins) |
| Bulb Base (Tail) | BA15S (single contact) |
| Colors Available | Red (port), Green (starboard), White (tail) |
| EMI/RFI | Built-in EMI suppression |
🔄 Direct Replacement For:
RA-7512 | W-1290 | 7079B | A7512 | MS25309-7512
Fits: Grimes fixtures, Whelen housings, most GA experimental aircraft, marine navigation sockets
✈️ Aircraft Compatibility
Compatible with most general aviation and experimental aircraft using RA-7512 / W-1290 position light bulbs, including: Cessna 172, 182, 210 — Piper Cherokee, Warrior, Archer — Beechcraft Bonanza, Baron, Musketeer — Mooney M20 series — Grumman Tiger, Cheetah — Van's RV-4, RV-6, RV-7A, RV-8, RV-10 — Glastar, Varga — helicopters and homebuilt aircraft. Also compatible with marine vessels using standard BAY15S navigation light sockets.
📦 Package Options
| Option | Contents | Bulb Base |
|---|---|---|
| Nav Bulb (1 Red + 1 Green) | 2 × Wing tip nav bulbs | BAY15S |
| Tail (1 White) | 1 × Tail position bulb | BA15S |
| Nav + Tail Set (Best Value) | 1 Red + 1 Green + 1 White | BAY15S + BA15S |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does this LED navigation light cause radio interference?
A: Our bulbs include built-in EMI suppression. A small number of aircraft may experience minor RFI depending on avionics configuration. If this occurs, adding a snap-on ferrite choke to the power wire typically eliminates it completely.
Q: Will this fit my Grimes or Whelen nav light housing?
A: Yes. Standard BAY15S (nav) or BA15S (tail) base — direct replacement for RA-7512 and W-1290. Fits most Grimes and Whelen fixtures. Some Whelen housings may require slight adjustment of the socket tension spring.
Q: What is the best LED replacement for RA-7512?
A: The Handxen LED nav light is a popular direct plug-and-play replacement for the RA-7512 incandescent bulb. It uses 9 high-power SMD LEDs to deliver significantly brighter output while drawing only 3W versus 27W for the original. Standard BAY15S base fits most Grimes and Whelen wing tip fixtures with no rewiring. Compatible with 14V and 28V systems.
Q: What aircraft is this compatible with?
A: Most GA and experimental aircraft using RA-7512 / W-1290 bulbs — Cessna, Piper, Beechcraft, Mooney, Grumman, Van's RV series, and homebuilts. Also works on marine vessels.
Q: Does this work with both 14V and 28V systems?
A: Yes. Operates on 12–24V DC — compatible with 14V single-engine and 28V twin/turbine electrical systems.
Q: What's the difference between Nav and Tail bulbs?
A: Nav bulbs are red (port) and green (starboard) with a BAY15S double-contact base. The tail bulb is white with a BA15S single-contact base. The Nav + Tail Set includes all three.
About Handxen
Founded in 2009, Handxen specializes in high-performance LED lighting for aviation, marine, and automotive applications. Trusted by thousands of pilots and aircraft owners across the United States. Based in City of Industry, CA with R&D facilities in China. We are committed to delivering quality products with superior customer service.
🏆 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty
If you experience any defect within 12 months, contact us at support@handxen.com for a hassle-free replacement.
Disclaimer: For Experimental Aircraft use only. Not FAA/PMA Approved. For certified aircraft, consult your IA/A&P — these bulbs meet original illumination specifications and may qualify under applicable regulations. Always verify with your mechanic before installation.