Fly Engravity AFDS - How to connect...

[notgotaclue]

Hi,
I have just received the AFDS from FLY Engravity and the instructions to connect it are as clear as mud.
Now I have quite happily connected other modules to the MIP737 board but the AFDS has some - peculiarities.
1) To Positive 12V - Ground 12V.
Can I just use the PSU i already have for the backlighting panels and connect it to a spare wire or do I need another PSU?

The rest is ok until I get to

2) to positive 12V (backlight) - Ground 12V (backlight)
Once again can I just use the same PSU as above?

I dont really want to run any more seperate power units as the amount of plugs is getting rediculous.
Allan

[Efe Cem Elci]

Does this help at all?
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/showthread.php/22322-Engravity-AFDS

[notgotaclue]

Does this help at all?
http://www.mycockpit.org/forums/showthread.php/22322-Engravity-AFDS

I did a search and found that topic, however it does not really give me the answer I need.
What I really need to know is if it is ok to connect the PSU to power both the module and also the added backlight using the PSU i currently using to power the Fly ENgravity panels backlight.
I dont want to "test" it and blow up a perfectly good (and expensive) AFDS unit.
Allan.

[dnoize]

Hi,
I have just received the AFDS from FLY Engravity and the instructions to connect it are as clear as mud.
Now I have quite happily connected other modules to the MIP737 board but the AFDS has some - peculiarities.
1) To Positive 12V - Ground 12V.
Can I just use the PSU i already have for the backlighting panels and connect it to a spare wire or do I need another PSU?

The rest is ok until I get to

2) to positive 12V (backlight) - Ground 12V (backlight)
Once again can I just use the same PSU as above?

I dont really want to run any more seperate power units as the amount of plugs is getting rediculous.
Allan

yes to both questions.
The engravity AFDS needs 2 12v sources.

One for the backlight leds. We made this a seperate one, because our ICS interfaces (and before our backlight controller) have a seperate output for the afds so that the brightness can be controlled together with the other panels (our ICS interface has seperate controllers for the brightness of the captains panels, first officers panels and the glare floodlight).
We have only split the powersource to the backlight leds on the pcb to enable customers to control the brightness of the leds. If you dont want that you can use the same 12 volts source
(the afds panel does not have an internal pcb for the backlighting, unlike all other panels that do have an internal pcb)

the other 12 volts is for the logic on the afds module. We dont use the output of your interface to light the leds in the afds module. we only use it to trigger the ssr's on the pcb to light the leds with its own powersource.
This way the afds module can be used with all kinds of output levels from interfaces, ie. 2v, 3v, 5v, 6v, etc., without having to worry about resistors needed for the leds in the switches.

Stef

[dnoize]

yes, no problem at all if the powersupply outputs a stabilized 12v.
If you use a dimmer to adjust the brightness of your backlit panels, than you can use that source only for the backlight section of the afds module. the other input needs a fixed 12v source.

[notgotaclue]

Thanks for that.
I really think you need to update the instructions to make it clearer for us electronics numpties.
Allan.

[notgotaclue]

Hi,
I have now installed this AFDS unit. It is working (sort of) but I have a few problems.
When I disconnect the A/T not only does the light work as expected but the LE FLAPS EXT light wil also flash. I have checked and double checked the wiring and it all seems ok, also when I disconnect the autopilot the RIGHT GEAR light will flash.
Any ideas?
Allan.

[dnoize]

check for shorts in your wiring.
check for possibly mixed commons in the connections.

[notgotaclue]

check for shorts in your wiring.
check for possibly mixed commons in the connections.

Hi, The wiring seems ok.
I dont understand what "mixed commons" mean. I have wired it up as per the instructions.
Allan.

[dnoize]

usually when i see this happen (ghost lighting of leds), it happens because a common from one group crosses the common of another group.
How did you wire ? what wire did you use ?
The afds unit will not make other annunciators light, so the problem must be sought elsewere.