777 Project Update

[rprather]

I have added most of the modules to the center pedestal, and almost all the digital components are functional including all three radios, the rudder trim indicator and the CDU. The radios are using the OEM LCDs, the rudder trim indicator is from Phidgets and the CDU is from FDS (Pro-MX). The ACPs will soon be replaced and the fire handles will be installed.

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I'll make this a running thread for future updates.

[twisted8]

makes me drool! great job!

[Geremy Britton]

This is brilliant, really nice to see some workmanship with boeing brown aicraft colours.
How did you wire the radios! Look great with the original digits.

Please do keep posting photos, fascinating thread, i for one will be keeping a look out! :)

Best Regards

[rprather]

Thank you both very much for your complements!

The brown stuff has been a real challenge, but it's finally coming together. The radios are still a work in progress. They require different combinations of AC and DC voltage to identify radio position (i.e. L/C/R), data modes, offside tuning conflicts, etc. Some are pre-requisites to the unit successfully powering up. The white wires are Cat5e cables, which connect to a control box, which handles power and data distribution. The original unit used cannon plugs, but Cat5 is so much easier to work with :-) I haven't quite figured out how I want to handle the interfacing since FS only supports COMM1/2. I'm sure I'll figure out something for the HF/AM sides.

[rprather]

Since my 767 CDU stand doesn't have a lower EICAS, I had to modify it to accommodate the 777 DU frames. There were 6 screws holding it in place, but two were very difficult to turn, so I cut off the back of the screws and the center support popped off. I then notched the aluminum DU frame, and it fit in place great! I'll have to do some more cutting to get the lower EICAS control panel to fit.

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The flat ribbon cable, on the standby instrument, is connected to the rotary knob and the light sensor. The glass is polarized.

[rprather]

I cut an approximately 1/2 inch notch out of the back wall of the CDU stand in order to allow the CDU screen to fit. Until I made the notch deep enough, the screen bezel prevented the throttle quadrant from sliding into place. Now the screen fits great and the back of the frame has been sanded smooth.

CDU is FDS Pro-MX and Lower EICAS software is Pro MFD 777 Collection.

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I had to cut the aluminum case off the frame to allow it to sit flush on top of the lower DU.

[RojanTrojan]

Incredible work Robert. Very neat and tidy setup you have there. The attention to detail is absolutely superb.

Well done.

Rhydian

[Anderson/SBSP]

OMG!! Great job!!!

[tomcat78]

Thats a fantasic effort Robert.
What size lcd did you use for your lower eicas?
It fits very well. This will be my next step.
Tom

[rprather]

Thanks very much for all the kind feedback! The screen is a 10.4" Pyle LCD. I love it! It's completely enclosed with a really thin bezel and a built in VGA cable. You have to buy a separate 12VDC adapter, though that actually works out because the monitor's power input is a red wire and a black wire, making it VERY easy to connect to an interface card, relay or adapter.

http://www.amazon.com/PLVW10IW--Wall-Mount-Panel-Monitor/dp/B00118EM1S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319303949&sr=8-1

[rprather]

15 years later, she's finally flyable :-) I had to fabricate all of the structural components since the individual parts came from countless sources.

I'm using Project Magenta for the primary avionics and the PMDG 777 for the upper and lower EICAS. CDU is from FDS. Landing gear lightplate from Simvionics and scenery is KIAH by FS Dream Team.

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Regards,
Robert Prather
Photo Album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24409839@N07/

[dodiano]

15 years bud!! Has been that much??? Amazing work as Always Robert!!! Brother I am happy you finally got that bird flying!

[rprather]

The IPECO seats are from a 737. I painted and reupholstered them.

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More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24409839@N07/