(B737) Hardware for the lower subpanels

[raymondvanderploeg]

Hi All,

The glareshield is nearly done, was thinking about a new project: the lower subpanels.

I see many panels available on the web, but what kind of hardware do I need to control the lightning? I want to make use of dimming lights. I will make use of a LED strip, 12V.

Thanks for the help !

Regards,
Raymond

[fordgt40]

Raymond

I use these to dim my led strips and they work very well

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-8A-LED-Light-Dimmer-Adjustable-Bright-Controller-/320745348928?pt=UK_Light_Fittings&hash=item4aade99f40#ht_3837wt_1163

You can strip these units to get at the little circuit board and pot to use them easily in your sim

David

[Sean Nixon]

I'm using these exact same dimmers too. They are great little units. As David has mentioned, get rid of the box and they can be mounted straight into the sim.

[Westozy]

Good link and tip guys, I just ordered 5 units for the growing Boeing!

Cheers,
Gwyn
Aerosim Solutions

[blueskydriver]

I have this type of dimmer as well and here are some pointers:

1. The normal knob on the lower panel has a bigger inside diameter than then that of the dimmer box shaft, so all you need to do is place a small flat piece of plastic or metal as a shim in the hole of the knob before placing it on the shaft; assuming your knobs have an allen wrench set screw to hold them onto the shaft.

2. You can just remove the dimmer's knob and lid, and then cut the wires from the pot and make an extension wire from the same size/type wiring and place it in between the distance of where you want the actual dimmer pot to be and the location of the box. There is no reason to dispose of the box; especially, since it has four mounting holes to mount it somewhere different from the pot itself. Once you have the pot with the extension wire made, place the box wherever you need it and run your extension wires to pot.

3. Use a less-than 8 Amps blade type circurt breaker and holder in between the DC power source and the box. Thus, you will not chance burning your box components and led lighting from shorts or spikes.

4. Make sure the Amps of the Led Lighting are not over that of the box and only use one strip per box; be conservative, otherwise you'll shorten the lifespan of the dimmer box and Led Lights.

5. Always order one more than you need as you might get a bad one in your order, and you're now left waiting for the replacement, as opposed to having the extra one on hand. When it comes to working on a MIP, which most times have to be pulled out or moved forward to access the back, it is better to get all the work done at once and not be waiting for a replacement part, so you can pull the MIP out again and again.

I have learned it is best to pull the MIP as little as needed, but then again, my MIP has no access to the back without doing so; therefore, the only way to work on it is by pulling it out.

BSD

[raymondvanderploeg]

Thanks for the tips guys !!

Other question, what shall I do? I can buy a LED strip with 60 led's per Meter or 100 per Meter.

Regards,
Raymond

[Corne323]

Hi Raymond,

I use the same dimmers, but i dont use a PC Power unit. I use Led Driver Power Supply Transformers 220 - 12V DC. Works perfect
I have used these Ledstrips http://www.ebay.nl/itm/5M-500CM-Warm-White-3528-SMD-LED-Strip-Lights-300-leds-/150571299400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230ebfb248

This is the result -
6553
6554

On these photo's the Leds are far dimmed they could be much brighter.
I like them :)

Regards
Corné

[raymondvanderploeg]

Hi Raymond,

I use the same dimmers, but i dont use a PC Power unit. I use Led Driver Power Supply Transformers 220 - 12V DC. Works perfect
I have used these Ledstrips http://www.ebay.nl/itm/5M-500CM-Warm-White-3528-SMD-LED-Strip-Lights-300-leds-/150571299400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item230ebfb248


Just ordered the flightstrips from Ebay, the dimmers will follow shortly.

Thanks for the tips!

Regards,
Raymond