Backlight Opencockpits MCP

[Goldmember]

As the OC MCP is not standard backlit some people add that later. Anybody here who has done that and if yes: how?

[Rodney]

Not on OC panels but on FDS ones. I used EL Sheets and a peach colored film. Worked well.

[Georg Schneider]

Hi Goldmember

I use these 3mm lamps in my complete sim for backlighting also in OC-MCP

Digi-Key part Nr.: 7220JK-ND

The lamps are driven with 18V and have only 0,26mAmps

a little more than a led and you dont need to care about +/-

Their life hours are : 16000hrs

You need only to drill a small 3mm hole in your lightplate at the position
the light is needed.

Then use self adhesive copper band one stripe for (+) and one for(-)

solder the legs of the lamps on the copper band.

Its a very easy and fast solution for backlighting also very easy dimable.

Kind regards
Georg Schneider

[fordgt40]

Georg

Very helpful and thanks - I have been wondering how to backlight my OC MCP and thought that EL Panels were the only option. I assume that you drilled the back acrylic panel and not the front one! Also, I am not certain on the spread of light through to the front - do you have any idea how many lamps you needed, it would be helpful to know.

Thanks again

Regards

David

[riche543]

Im thinking of using this stuff when i get to that stage http://cgi.ebay.com.au/5M-Reel-of-30...3A1%7C294%3A50 Cheers Riche..

[Georg Schneider]

Hi all !

The lamps have 360 degree lightspread and are also warm white.

I use one lamp on every position where the letters are.

You must experience a bit with the positions so all letters are lighted
homogen.

The idea with the smd led stripes is good but on the OC mcp you have no chance to get them to the right place.

These stripes are perfect for the TQ backlighting of flaps and speedbrake
lightplate.

And be carefull with EL sheets the electric converter is producing a bad peep noice.

Kind regards
Georg Schneider

[fordgt40]

Georg

Thanks again, I assume that for some letter locations ie "APP or LNAV", one light is ok, but for larger combinations of letters then 2/3 lights are needed?

Regards

David

[Georg Schneider]

Hi David

Yes , for example the letters "HDG / CMD A" needs one lamp and longer

letter compinations as "A/P Engage" needs 2 lamps .

Measure the ammoungt of combinations you would need one lamp and the

ammount you would normaly need 2 lamps then add extra 10-15 lamps and you have the ammount of lamps you need to order.

It`s all about trying out to get the best result.

You can test it with demounted lightplate and tape the lamps temporary on the lightplate to get exact positions.

Kind regards
Georg Schneider