ADB SAFEGATE’s LED Solar Wind Cone System (SWCS) delivers a highly efficient, self-sustaining wind direction indicator solution for airfields facing challenges with grid access, offering improved safety and compliance with FAA and ICAO lighting standards. At the heart of this system is the Solar Power Supply (SPS), a fully integrated photovoltaic power source specifically designed to operate Hali-Brite® ETL-certified wind cones—the WCS806 and WCS807—each equipped with low-voltage L-810 LED obstruction lights. This off-grid lighting system is ideal for remote or undeveloped airfields where reliable power supply is essential for continuous airfield operations.
The Solar Power Supply unit provides dusk-to-dawn operation, utilizing an ETL-certified photocell to maintain full light intensity per FAA illumination requirements. Designed with longevity and performance in mind, the SPS incorporates a 50- or 135-watt solar panel that carries a 12-year/90% and 25-year/80% power output warranty. A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) charge controller ensures optimal energy harvesting under varying sunlight conditions, and includes a custom-programmed temperature compensation feature for high-efficiency battery management. The onboard status indicators provide real-time monitoring of the battery, charging levels, and overall system performance. With a sealed AGM battery capacity ranging from 100 to 300 amp-hours, and designed for 4,000 charge/discharge cycles, the system offers approximately 10 days of nominal autonomy without solar input, ensuring dependable performance during extended periods of low sunlight. The solar panel can be precisely tilted from 25° to 65° in 10-degree increments and is factory-set based on the geographic installation location.
The WCS806 and WCS807 wind cone models offer different structural and lighting configurations while maintaining the ruggedness and quality required for all-weather airfield use. The WCS806 features a single 1.9-inch diameter steel pole with a frangible coupling at the base, designed to support an 18-inch diameter by 8-foot long windsock (Size 1). This configuration can be mounted directly onto an L-867 light base or a 2-inch NPT baseplate. The WCS807, designed for larger or more exposed locations, is a dual-post mount system featuring a center-hinged mast—4 inches in diameter at the base and 3 inches at the top—with a braked winch that enables single-person maintenance from ground level. It supports either a Size 1 (18" × 8') or Size 2 (36" × 12') wind sock, depending on the airfield’s visibility and wind measurement requirements. A factory-assembled four-bolt anchor structure simplifies ground installation, while frangible couplings and ASCE Exposure C wind load compliance enhance safety and structural reliability in demanding weather conditions.
The wind cones themselves are built to deliver long-lasting, low-maintenance performance. LED lighting systems provide between 50,000 and 100,000 hours of lamp life with multiple lamp circuits for redundancy, significantly reducing power consumption compared to traditional halogen lamps by 80–90%. Internal or external lighting options are available, or models can be configured as unlit. Each wind cone is fabricated with a one-piece welded aluminum basket with pre-installed bearings shielded by weather-resistant raincaps. The nylon socks are treated for rot, mildew, and water repellency, and are powder-coated in international orange for high daytime visibility. A long-life LED obstruction light and integral power adapter further enhance reliability and ease of integration with series circuit models. Both systems are ETL-certified and manufactured in the USA by Hali-Brite, Inc., ensuring quality assurance and compliance with FAA L-806 and L-807 specifications.
Each SPS is customized for its specific site requirements, taking into account local solar insolation levels, ambient temperature extremes, and mounting height. ADB SAFEGATE provides configuration assistance to ensure proper system design and compatibility. This solar-powered wind cone solution is not only sustainable and energy efficient, but also enhances operational resilience and safety for civil and military airfields, heliports, and other aviation facilities where reliable wind indication is critical.
https://adbsafegate.com/products/airfield/wind-indicators/swcs-solar-wind-cone
