Here is a quick video test of the first panel, and some photos below.

The backside of the overhead showing the FDS SYS1, and the DB connectors that allow quick disconnect of the panels from the SYS1 without having to disturb the SYS1 at all.

And here are some forward shots of the first panel.

Those Blue LEDs in the bright state are BRIGHT! But, not this bright. The camera just picks up all the light. Sorry.

Found out about Liquid Tape. It is liquid “electrical tape” basically. Great for times you forget to shrink tube your wires, want to seal something up or insulate a hard to reach place!

Thanks to some inspiration from Nat of FDS, I went to Fry’s today and picked up some DE-9 connectors to wire the panels to the SYS1 card. This allows me to easily disconnect a panel section in the event I have to for any reason!

Wired up my first Dual State Blue LED today and tested on the FDS SYS1 card. Many thanks to Vidar again for his wisdom and confirmation on the wiring diagram! Here is a movie showing the Dual State in action, and below the movie is a picture of the LED wired up in the video as well as the diagram found on the Flight Deck Solutions website.

The 9 blue annunciators that have a dual state are:
2 ENG VALVE CLOSED
2 SPAR VALVE CLOSED
1 VALVE OPEN (Cross Feed)
1 L VALVE OPEN (Wing anti-ice)
1 R VALVE OPEN (Wing anti-ice)
2 COWL VALVE OPEN

(Note, the above is necessary only if you do not buy the FDS overhead panels, as they supply you pre built circuit boards for wiring dual state LED’s)

Just a quick update, have the first 8 annunciators wired up. Tomorrow, my first dual brightness blue LED!

Started wiring LEDs up today for the annunciators. Using a method similar to Vidar Fagerjord (thanks!!) I cut out little pieces of circuit board and soldered the LEDs to them. I then coated the LEDs wires with solder which makes them less likely to break, and bent them over sideways. The negative side ( – ) IE the cathode (short side) is the common, and will have 8 sets of 2 LED’s wired to each common. Each LEDs ( + ) side or anode (long side) gets wired to the sys1 card.

Read the rest of this entry »

Still have a few more switches to install and a couple more annunciators to put in, but here is the latest progress! (There are more photos in the link below the first picture)

Read the rest of this entry »

DSUS holders painted along with screws.

All Panels Mounted! (Not all DSUS fasteners used yet, until frame is completely mounted)

Hard to see sorry. Took 4 hours to glue all the annunciator tops on.

Finished the frame this evening and painted

Started on an overhead frame today. I used 3/4 birch and am happy with that choice. I also drilled the bottom back panel’s holes for the landing light switches larger, so that I could install the real 737 landing light switches I purchased.

Got all the switches in. Some of the rotaries but still have some work to do on those. Here’s just a quick shot of the panels with the switches. Today I begin building the enclosure box for the overhead panels.

The overhead panels from FlyEngravity have arrived! I have begun to lay them out and here are some unboxing photos!

Read the rest of this entry »