Instrument and Panel Lighting Options

[Tailwind_Fan]

I had a beautiful x-county yesterday with my instructor Doug. We flew to Paso Robles and back. Wound up taking off about a half hour before Sunset. So we crossed the San Joaquin and Sierras in the dark. I was prepared for the occasion with a head-band flashlight, that I’d previously picked up from Home Depot. But, I’m really thinking about redoing the panel lights. Any advice on options or what doesn’t work, I’ve got the newer Tri-Pacer with a wet vacuum driven DG/AG/T&B set. Thanks.

Alana

[CamTom12]

I’ve got some nulites on my altimeter and airspeed indicator, since they didn’t come with backlights.

Previously I had some red lights overhead that were pointed at my panel. I’m much happier with the nulights.

[Stephen]

I’ve got some nulites on my altimeter and airspeed indicator, since they didn’t come with backlights.

Previously I had some red lights overhead that were pointed at my panel. I’m much happier with the nulights.

I like your clean and simple panel.

[siouxpilot77]

Does anyone have any experience with the fiberlites? I was considering those and nulites...


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[doc]

No experience with the fiberlites, but it struck me as difficult for future maintenance as the light generator portion gets mounted under the panel somewhere & the fires then run to each instrument. I did the NuLites in Delta Dawn & LOVED them. I wired all the instruments together then into a small molex plug so that I could unplug the entire unit. Admittedly this was on a panel with the mod that used to be called the Woolsey mod, Univair has it now for about 3x the price. Anyway I cloud undo 6-7 screws & take the entire panel out(after disconnecting the instruments appropriately of course) and only had to unplug that 1, 2 wire molex... Anyway, that was my experience. I'll likely do the same ones in by current project plane as it goes together.

Does anyone have any experience with the fiberlites? I was considering those and nulites...


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[siouxpilot77]

No experience with the fiberlites, but it struck me as difficult for future maintenance as the light generator portion gets mounted under the panel somewhere & the fires then run to each instrument. I did the NuLites in Delta Dawn & LOVED them. I wired all the instruments together then into a small molex plug so that I could unplug the entire unit. Admittedly this was on a panel with the mod that used to be called the Woolsey mod, Univair has it now for about 3x the price. Anyway I cloud undo 6-7 screws & take the entire panel out(after disconnecting the instruments appropriately of course) and only had to unplug that 1, 2 wire molex... Anyway, that was my experience. I'll likely do the same ones in by current project plane as it goes together.

That’s good feedback. Did you do anything for lighting the switches ?


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[doc]

I didn't, there aren't that many switches involved in a 20 or 22 & muscle memory serves my pretty well in that situation, some other planes are a whole other matter... though thinking about it now it would be easy enough to put an led strip pointing down just above the switches under that "step", I'll have to think about that when I get the project a bit further along...

[smcnutt]

I didn't, there aren't that many switches involved in a 20 or 22 & muscle memory serves my pretty well in that situation, some other planes are a whole other matter... though thinking about it now it would be easy enough to put an led strip pointing down just above the switches under that "step", I'll have to think about that when I get the project a bit further along...

Thought about the led strip as you suggested but finding a certified (and affordable) strip is the hard part. Seems like a perfect application for it though.

Currently I have the interior light switch toggle covered with a rubber cap. This makes it it easy to identify in the dark by feel. The only problem with the led upgraded over the shoulder lighting is that it's too bright.

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[kevbot]

https://www.shortwingpiperclub.org/s...oulder-lights/

These LEDs pop right into the Piper shoulder lights and are way better than stock. Attached pic is new LED on the pilot side and stock on the copilot side. For regular night flying I would highly recommend also upgrading to LED nav/position and landing/taxi lights

[CamTom12]

https://www.shortwingpiperclub.org/s...oulder-lights/

These LEDs pop right into the Piper shoulder lights and are way better than stock. Attached pic is new LED on the pilot side and stock on the copilot side. For regular night flying I would highly recommend also upgrading to LED nav/position and landing/taxi lights

Be careful with LED drop-in bulbs. The Piper electrical system is pretty sensitive to electrical noise. Even with clean grounds and a double shielded antenna wire I have radio interference caused by my LED drop-ins. I’ve switched them back to incandescent bulbs until I can rewire the wings with shielded wire.

EDIT: Just clarifying that the interference was caused by my LED drop-ins for the position lights - I’ve got no experience with the ones that SWPC is selling.