Choosing Monitors and MIP Stands

[Tomlin]

Okay, so I am getting closer to being able to build a MIP stand and place the monitors in to get ready for the temp. MIP. However, I would like to ask some questions for feedback.

I have the required sizes (I think) for the Pilot/CoPilot sides for avionics and Im sure I wont be able to squeeze my 15" CRT in for the RMUs between the two 17" CRTs. Maybe, but it would be tight. Regardless, here's the situation:

The real Learjet 45 uses CRTs instead of LCDs. Again, I have two 17" and 1 15" CRTs, and I am tempted to try to see how they look but I have to remove the frames off of them.

1) Can anyone point to a guide on how to do this safely (even if it's for an LCD instead)?

2) Should I just wait 'till I can afford the two 17"/1 15" LCDs since they are slimmer/lighter/flat?

3) How dim witted would it be to build a MIP stand for the CRTs, try it, and then repair the MIP and CRTs if it just doesnt work well?

One thing I know for sure is that I cant really judge how well it will work if I dont try it! :-) I just dont want to ruin 3 perfectly good CRTs if I dont like it and want to put the shells back on them.

Thanks,

[Bob Reed]

I am using 3 CRTs for the time being. 2 19s and a 17 and no I don't think I will be switching them over to LCDs in the near future. LCDs just do not have the same picture quality that the CRTs do. I thought about removing the cases to make more room and even called my brother ( his field is electronics) to see about doing it and after him and I looked them over I did not gain enough to even make it worth while. I would not build any part of the stand without having the panels on hand. A temp one maybe but know once the panels arrive you will have to make major changes!

[Michael Carter]

Because of cost and the time factor involved, I'm now starting to lean once again in the direction of an LCD for my flight instrument display.

I don't want to do this, but I also don't want to wait another 18 months to two years before I have enough instruments installed to fly this thing.

The slimest framed LCD I've found is the Hans 17" widescreen from Newegg.com. It's also one of the cheapest, but it's specs are not all that great. It will do fine for an instrument display though.

If you decide to open a CRT cabinet be careful working around the big red wire from the back of the tube to the flyback transformer. There is a lot of voltage there.

What I have a hard time understanding about LCD's is that you'll pay twice to three times as much for an open-framed LCD monitor as you will for one that is available assembled and ready for use. I can't understand the logic in that.

[Tomlin]

Well, for the Learjet, the PFD/EICAS is very close to the RMU screen, so I am thinking it will be almost mandatory to either remove them from the case, or actually buy a smaller LCD for the two RMUs. I just went home and confirmed via a printed out 1:1 template that the 17" CRTs will work just fine. It's down to the 15" now, and even when turned on its side it protrudes into the main display areas I believe. Of course, I may lose some of that width with the bezel(s) gone.

Thanks for pointing out the red wire-I will def. keep an eye out.

Regarding not building it till the panels arrive- I have been making progress toward making them myself at 1:1 since I have all the info and then (hopefully) once a vendor offers to build them for me, they should be within a milimeter or two according to the files I have. I figure that due to money, and especially the availability of the panels (or lack of) there's no reason to wait around and not at least try to build them myself, even if the lettering is going to be nearly impossible to pull off. This will not only save money till they are available, but get me flying much faster.

Michael, I know it's tempting to just use a display for your avionics. Maybe you can find a way to make it work to your pleasure. Didnt the gentleman down in South America do somthing similar in his awesome 727 sim?

[Michael Carter]

Joe down in the Bahamas did just that. But, he had to build his own instrument panels to replace the real panels, rebuild all of the Korry indicators and fake most of it, and generally accomodate the instrument panel to the monitors.

I'm doing it the other way around. Or so it seems to be heading in that direction. I refuse to sacrifice the authenticity of the real instrument panel. One way or another, I'm going to have instruments to use in this MIP.

I'm going to pick up that Hans 17" widescreen from Newegg in a couple of weeks. If it doesn't work out, at least I'll have another outside view monitor.

[magicaldr]

Note of warning from my uncle who worked in TV repair, watch out for bits throughout the monitor without a case on. Its not just live when powered up, it can hold a lot of charge for a long time after being powered down.

Words along the lines of there are 17000 volts even unplugged and dont take apart unless you are 100% sure of what you are doing.

[Tomlin]

Yeah, yeah...what's a little 'shock'!?!

Just kidding. Seriously, I want to be careful but I think that to have the CRTs work, it must be by taking the case(s) off. I will talk to the father-in-law about it. He's good. Plus, I can get a good laugh outta him getting bit by it too. Just kidding. :-)