Wiring setup for overhead

[ozziesim]

Hey guys,

I was just wandering if anyone can share some opinions on the best way to wire up my overhead, perhaps a tutorial.

here are my thoughts, im going to use Phidget led64 for the leds,
and FDT for interface. I was thinking of using Phidget 0/16/16 interface kit however FDT looks alot more easier to configure.

im not too sure on how exactly to wire the switches,pots etc.

most of the switches are these type, 2position and 3 position

http://www.ozziesim.com.au/shop/images/uploads/switch.jpg

i was thinking of joining all the centre poles, PWR, in a serial kinda like a common wire and then each other pole to a input on the FDT board.

Not sure if this is the correct method ?

Also is there any tricks to connecting pots and rotary switches up.

Any sugestons, photos of your own setup or help would be greatly appreciated.

[dnoize]

the fdt boards can be wired one on one (ground and positive for each switch) OR with a common ground. You can use one common ground for all switches. Meaning you will wire the ground wire from switch to switch to every center pin of your switches and then wire it to a single ground pin on the FDT board (bottom row of pins)
And then wire the trigger wires to the individual inputs (top row of pins)

I prefer one on one wiring, because when the common ground failes you loose alot of switches at once with a common ground. Hard to trouble shoot.

But both methods are possible.

Stef


.

[Bob Reed]

Well as Stef has pointed out there is a down side to common ground, but....The positive side is if you are doing like a 737 OH.. You can eliminate over 70 wires from your OH to the interface card.... I like less wires!

[Matt Olieman]

As you can see in the couple of replies, there are choices and opinions :) Of course the choice is yours...

Did you do a search (here) on overhead wiring or Phidgets, FDT, etc. wiring? It seems there are diagrams here.... somewhere :)

[dnoize]

You could also make a compromise and use a common ground for one section. For example in the way the panels would be in real. So 1 common ground for the fuel pumps, one common ground wire for the generators, etc.

The old phidget led64 board had to be interfaced one on one, the new one is different i think.

The FDT output board uses 1 common for 8 led's, but the commoned group is spread over the side of the board and in my opinion it makes it look like a mess when using commons with this board.

The FDT forum has great tutorials on using commons.

Stef