Tim_A 997 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Since everybody is showing theirs, this is mine: It's basically an overglorified monitor stand! It's split into three panels,and each one can be removed/worked on separately. This is an early lighting test. I'm using EL tape fitted under the 'coaming' to give a floodlight effect. This gives a very realistic 'flood' effect, just like the Diamond DA40 I did my night rating in. The electroluminescent tape actially came from a PC modding kit, which worked out a lot cheaper than any of the custom suppliers! At this point I was using MDF for the panel, but it turned out not to be man enoug for the job, so I switched to custom cut aluminium. This shows the panel mostly loaded. On the left is a bunch of GoFlight units. These basically provide Nav/Com, audio, switch, transponder & autopilot functions. In the middle is the standard six pack plus VOR & ADF. These are Simkits units. Some of them still work, but on the whole they are the biggest most useless waste of money you could imagine. If you are even vaguely tempted to fit Simkits stuff, heed my warning: Don't; you'll regret it. If you still want to go with Simkits and don't mind tinkering, I have a pile of inop instruments you're welcome to... On the right is a custom built GPS unit. It's basically a custom switch panel fitted around a 5" LCD screen. The screen is driven from a second VGA card, and the buttons are wired into a USB interface card. The GPS itself is the RealityXP GNS530. This is the panel working. Link to post Share on other sites
needles 1,013 Posted June 8, 2011 Report Share Posted June 8, 2011 Superb Tim. I like the use of aluminium. I also like the instruments you have used. The 3 monitor setup is on my wish list at the moment. Thanks for posting. It's posts like yours and Jacks that give me the inspiration to build mine albeit in a Saitek-y kind of way. What have you left to do with it? I was looking at ways to floodlight my panel today but I never thought of the PC Modding route, thanks for that. regards Brian :001_th_smiles89: Link to post Share on other sites
Tim_A 997 Posted June 9, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 In theory it would be finished. But the Simkits instruments have proved so unreliable (and their "support" is nonexistent - diabolical considering what these things cost) that I'm gritting my teeth and looking for replacements. The altimeter is my first priority, since I currently have a gaping hole there. I'm tempted by FlightIllusion, since they use Stepper motors rather than servos (much quiteter & smaller), & seem to be much better contructed. But I'm open to suggestions. Link to post Share on other sites
hurricanemk1c 195 Posted June 9, 2011 Report Share Posted June 9, 2011 Looks stunning! Link to post Share on other sites
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