A question about lighting

[retnavycpo]

I am building a KwikPit simpit. Nothing fancy, but I am in need of some low voltage lighting. Preferably something I can adjust the brightness.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Pete Ward
Retired US Navy CPO

[AndyT]

Hi Pete.
Interesting product. Never heard of them till now. Be sure and take lots of pictures for us and post them here.

Where would you need the lights at? Since the panel is really a decal and not a functioning MIP, I'm not sure what you need to light up.

[coolmanak]

I believe he is referring to the lights that are above the pilots.

[retnavycpo]

Thanks for your replies.

Actually, I will not be using/applying any of the decals to the KwikPit. Instead, I will make places to install my CH Controls Multi-Function Panel, and the Saitek Pro Flight Switch Panel I only just received a few weeks ago. Aside from that, my Logitech Force Feedback stick will go on the right control panel (armrest), and my CH Throttle will be placed in the left side.

What I need lighting for is the panel where my Switch Panel and CH Function Panel will be placed. Neither one has lighting, (although the Saitek Panel had been advertised as such, but it does not).

Preferably, lighting that is adjustable and not in the way.....

Thanks!

Pete

[AndyT]

So you mean backlighting on the panels?

If that is what you want, its not going to be easy to add backlighting to someone elses panel. You could however, build in a glareshield and install a small light under it.

[retnavycpo]

Andy, the glareshield is a GREAT idea. Thanks! Exactly what I need to do.

Pictures forthcoming in a few days!

Pete

[jmig]

Hey Chief, Welcome to Mycockpits! Be warned however, the addictions starts with, "I would just like to add some small lights here."

Next thing you know, you are eying the spare bedroom and making mental calculations to determine if "it" will fit.

[Michael Carter]

That's what happened to me.

[coolmanak]

I once started off as having a small, single sided home cockpit. I was sure it would be nothing fancy, and I would just have a radio and a transponder. Nothing else needed...

Now I'm building a full scale A320....

[retnavycpo]

One of our bedrooms IS my game room. I have a BENQ DLP ceiling mounted projector, with a 6' by 8' wall mounted screen. I use a CRT monitor for instrument views.

My KwikPit is cut out and painted. I built a support base for my sim seat, which is a Ultimate Game Chair "Raptor". It has 12 small shaker speakers in it.

The game room has a inexpensive surround sound system, but I lined the walls with thin insulation board, so it really rocks!

Aside from the above, we have two oversized recliners, with one Aura Bass Shaker speaker under each, and connected to a 75 watt amplifier.

The shaker speakers really add to the realism, when watching movies. We watch almost all our dvds in the room, plus "watch it now" flicks on the Netflix website.

Pete

[retnavycpo]

Ok, here are some pictures of the "finished" product. Of course, as y'all have said, I will never be completely finished or satisfied, eh?

Thanks so much for your advice! For now, I am using a small USB powered light for the two panels in front of the throttle and joystick.

Pete

[Michael Carter]

It looks very nice.

Of course, as y'all have said, I will never be completely finished or satisfied, eh?

No. That's not part of the hobby.

[AndyT]

The day you become fully satisfied with it is the day you should sell it to a flight school and begin again.
They may not be able to count the hours on it but, it would be an awesome procedures trainer.