Homemade a C172 Lights switch Panel

[XOrionFE]

I have been looking around for a good template for the C172 lights panel. I am making the panel with a Hagstrom encoder card and toggle switches. Couldnt find a good background so I made this one. Anyone is welcome to it. It is a .png file but can be opened in Paint. I didnt make an attempt to be exacting in dimensions but it should be fairly close. I made it so that I could fit the switches.

Scott
Sugar Grove, IL

[Bob Reed]

Very nice job.. Thank you for sharing!

[meo_udon]

very nice job.

[Matt Olieman]

Looks great!!! Thanks a million :)

[RojanTrojan]

Hi Scott,

Great work! I've done something similar. I made the design in photoshop and constructed it out of aluminium.:)

Rhydian


http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3295/1347/320/Panel%20NMK%20Mk1JPEG.3.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2218/2205374695_453b0b42f6_m.jpg

[XOrionFE]

That looks great.

Couple questioins if you dont mind?

1. Did you just print out on paper then laminate the paper and finally just glue it to the aluminum?

2. Where did you get those switches for your Master switch? It looks great!

3. Finally, what kind of toggles did you use? I used SPST but they dont work right (just tried first time last night). I am thinking I should have got SPDT but I thought that type took a ground and two wires rather than a ground and a single wire.

I am using for instance the "Landing Lights Toggle" function in FSUIPC and trying to map it to my switch.

Thanks, and nice job on the panel!

Scott

[Trevor Hale]

You don't want the Toggle option as you would then need to turn the switch on, and then turn it on again to turn them off. use the "FS LANDING LIGHTS" option without the toggle in it.

You will find now when the switch is on the lights are on, and when it is off the lights are off.

Best regards,

Trev

[RojanTrojan]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your kind comments, to answer your questions:

I used the printed photoshop design just as a guide. I overlayed it onto some aluminium and drilled the holes. I shaped the square holes with a metal file - it took forever. The panel was sent to an automotive repair company and painted matt black I then passed the panel and my design to a laser stencil company which cut down to the primer to make the white paint show over the black paint.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2171/2207705260_c507a56a0c_m.jpg

Toggle switches were bought here:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=2360&doy=20m1

They are simply SPST toggles like yours.

Rocker switches were bought here:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=4407039

And I use Simkits 32 digital input controller for the switches to interface with FSUIPC.

http://www.simkits.com/product.php?prodid=605

Cheers

Rhydian
www.cessnasim.blogspot.com

[XOrionFE]

Laser engraving..

No wonder it looks so good. I will have to check that out and see what they charge around here at the local sign companies. That is the ultimate.

Thanks for the switch info also.

[XOrionFE]

Thanks Trevor.

I looked and see only the one option within FS for lights which uses Ctrl-L called "Landing lights (on/off)"

I will give it a shot. I did manage to get it working though somewhat with the SPST toggle switch using the Hagstrom progamming. I went into the Macro function and there is an option to do an action when the switch is activated and then another function when deactivated. That worked. Now the only downside is that if the switches are on by default for a function, then the toggle will be activating just opposite of what you expect. Solution I guess is that when this occurs just to use the keyboard but not ideal.

I will keep reading, researching and posting questions. With the encoder I am now like a kid in a candy store!

I can envision some sleepless nights ahead :-)
Scott