Tag Archives: Backlighting

Rework of Poldragonet Overhead Panel

The Overhead Panel was purchased before Christmas and arrived 4 weeks later. I installed all switches, rotaries and fake gauges. When this was finished i realized that i might have a lot of gaps between the the switches and the holes. The first picture illustrates that problem. So i had to disassemble the complete hardware again and masked all switch holes. It took me 2 hours to disassemble and mask it.2 Hours waste time if i had done everything right the first time.

 

Gaps between the switches. Backlight shines though.

Gaps between the switches. Backlight shines though.

Disassembling the Front Panels again

Disassembling the Front Panels again

All holes have been masked and are ready for painting.

All holes have been masked and are ready for painting.

MCP Ver 1 finished

 Just some update on my project. The MIP is finished in terms of woodwork. Now i am ready to move the whole thing to my cockpit room for the wiring. For this i also ask for some suggestions how to approach the wiring. I have 2 BU0836X controllers from Leo Bodnar, OC Mastercard, OC USB Expansion card, OC Output card and 2 x Display card. I do not know how to approach the wiring in a good and organized way. I think i will place the 2 bodnar cards in the glareshiled behind the mcp as there are the most inputs at the moment which have to be connected. I also do not know how to make good connection which are connectable (and disconnectable) for fast connection of the components (should i go for 40 pin flatbed IDE cables ?).

Ok, as you can see on the pictures i most of the backlighting is done. I will install some 10 k potis to regulate the brightness of them.

The glareshield has been covered with black artificial leather over some 10mm softfoam matresses.

For the start i installed a 17 inch screen in the pedestal and will replace that with a touchscreen this year. The next steps will be wiring, installation of the missing components in the MIP, and getting the whole thing running with PROSIM737.

One major task will be to figure out how to mill the annunctiator holders and faceplates for them. I would like to see some gear indicators lighting up ; )

Detail of MCP. The backlighting is done with a stripe of white LEDS on a MDF sheet. This provides additional stability for the MCP.

Detail of MCP. The backlighting is done with a stripe of white LEDS on a MDF sheet. This provides additional stability for the MCP.

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First Test of backlighting is sucessful

First Test of backlighting is sucessful

First Version of MCP and some additional Informations

i think it is time to provide some updates for my project.

After i got my CNC machine running (with fixed chinese controller card TB6560) it is possible to do my own parts. So far the MIP structure is nearly finished and the first panel is backlighted. I use the SMD LED stripes for backlighting.

At the moment i work on the MCP. The front panel is finished and engraved (with 0.5 mm end mill) and backplate also ready. I do not use a 45 or 60 degree engraving mill because i have issues with the height of the panel. What i do is to set Z Axis to Zero for each new block of letter i want to engrave. The workbed is not 100% even so this is the solution which works good for me.

I did test with a self constructed engraving head but no big success.

Last week i received my first 500 € shipment from Open Cockpits with important components like master card, output card, switches, buttons and knobs. I did some molding tests to make my own knobs with silicon form and epoxy resin and you can see in the picture what comes out if you can´t wait till the mold is dried.

I try to get the MIP, MCP and EFIS Panels finished till i´ll move the whole structure into my cockpit room. For software i discovered the PROSIM 737 solution which seems perfect for my needs – not to mention that the package is free at the moment. Next steps will be all the wiring and of course many hours learning SIOC.

 

MCP Ver 1 front panel on the MDF router

MCP Ver 1 front panel on the MDF router

 

Engraved Letters and Backlighting

Engraved Letters and Backlighting

Gear LEver Panel and Backlighting

Gear LEver Panel and Backlighting

My first knobs fresh out of the mold

My first knobs fresh out of the mold