A320 MIP Ilumination

[luisgordo]

Hi guys,

I've seen in the Photo Gallery that some of you have achieved great effects in the lighting of the Captain and FO panels, as well as both lights located on the pedestal area of the MIP. (This particular pic is from Suggy)

http://www.mycockpit.org/photopost/data/528/DSC00719.JPG

I assume the best option for these are LEDs. Any particular idea or recommendation? What have you used?

Thanks!

[Trevor Hale]

I use white christmas lights :) I can dim them with a standard 120V Dimmer. Works nice in my pit.

[andarlite]

Hey Trev

Don't they generate a lot of heat.... oh wait, considering where you live with those long winters, I guess you need the heat. :)

Regards,
Henry

[Bob Reed]

Hey Trev

Don't they generate a lot of heat.... oh wait, considering where you live with those long winters, I guess you need the heat. :)

Regards,
Henry

Oh No!!!!! TOO FUNNY!!!!:-P

[Suggy]

Panels are lighted using EL sheeting. The lights illuminating the MIP are leds grouped togethr with each led fitted with an led light diffuser.

Regards,

Suggy

[luisgordo]

Hey guys,

Thanks for your inputs. Suggy, any particular supplier? How many leds are you using?

Thanks!

[Suggy]

My EL sheets and inverters were from UK Farnells -

http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search/browse.jsp;jsessionid=QI0VR3MQ2VIA5QFIAFNZLTQ?N=500004+1000147+111900+149515+8857&Ntk=gensearch_001&Ntt=el&Ntx=&_requestid=359529

There are six 5mm white leds for each of the two lights shining down from onto the MIP (from the underside of the glareshield). I put clear covers on them to diffuse the light better:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=2072&doy=26m11


Regards,

Suggy

[luisgordo]

Thanks Suggy, much appreciated.

[Trevor Hale]

Hey Trev

Don't they generate a lot of heat.... oh wait, considering where you live with those long winters, I guess you need the heat. :)

Regards,
Henry

LOL Yeah I do need it, however with them dimmed It isn't too bad. I am using 50 light strings, and it isn't too bad. I do have air conditioning in the sim. I am using 1 string for the overhead, 1 string for the pedistal, and one string for the mip.

150 lights total, less 1/5th of that on your Christmas tree, as you can see there isn't that much heat to worry about, even in the concealed cockpit shell.

Trev

[Michael Carter]

The early Boeing jets used both fluorescent tubes (3) and incandescent lighting under the glareshield.

My center and left sections each have an eight watt 15" fluorescent tube mounted in the original locations, and four 24VDC incandescent fixtures under each section.

The original fluorescent fixtures were unusable as they were wired for 115VAC 400 Hz power. They were removed and commercial fixtures were purchased and installed.

Each incandescent fixture has a rotatable metal barrel with a small rectangular opening for directing the lights individually.

[luisgordo]

Suggy, as for dimming, what are you using. Potentiometers, I guess. Any particular supplier? What specs?

Thanks!

[Goose]

I looked at eBay and I found that from China you can buy many lets at a very low price.
Look here: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZled-world2007

Anyone have experience with china LEDs?

[luisgordo]

Not so far...

[luisgordo]

Right now I am using a quite cheap LED dimmer (http://www.dotlight.de/shop/product_info.php/cPath/77_176/products_id/466). Not bad results up to date.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/luisgordo/homecockpit/PICT3965.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/luisgordo/homecockpit/PICT3995.jpg

[Goose]

How bright are those LED you guys are using for back light?

10000mcd?

[luisgordo]

An update on the lighting of my MIP... Used LEDs and the cheap dimmer I posted above.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/luisgordo/homecockpit/PICT4238.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/luisgordo/homecockpit/PICT4241.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v289/luisgordo/homecockpit/PICT4239.jpg

[W9XE/Project777]

Luis

This really looks nice!!! Easy one the eyes at night. Looks so real...:D

[luisgordo]

Thanks Larry! :)