Testing some new overhead circuitry

So the overhead panels are back up once again, although with the circuitry for the fire handle units now fully operational. Below is a short video of us testing them. The 'slave' landing gear indicators are also demonstrated here. 

In an actual aircraft, in which redundancy is essential, these would be driven completely separate from the those located on the main instrument panel, although here (for the sake of efficiency) their data is derviced from the same place.

Working Fire Handles

Well unfortunately I haven't made as much progress as I would've liked over the holidays, although after reading the ATR72 manual and discovering that part of the initial procedure is to check the fire handle system prior to each flight I decided to get these up and running. 

Below are some photographs to show where they're currently at (testing the fault switch, squib button, and fire):

 

 

Another small job I completed was this Collins radio unit with dual concentric encoders.

I'll discuss this, and the fire handles, in more detail once all of their final tests have been completed. The idea is to also get some updated videos happening too, but ideally I'd like to have the entire simulator back in one piece again before I do that. This shouldn't be too far away with any luck!

I've also now acquired a third 24 inch LCD monitor for the scenery set-up too, which has helped the horizon levels greatly now that all three screens are the same dimensions.  

Apologies for the brief update!

Making the Fire Handles

Just in case my ATR72 simulator has an engine fire, I thought it'd be a good idea to finish off the Engine Fire panels on the overhead ...

I machined the base section of the handle from some 8mm thick clear acrylic which I then painted with a couple of light coats of red paint. The upper section of the handle is actually made from two 3mm thick red transluscent acrylic, and then I engraved the lettering into the top layer, which my son 'in-filled' with white paint. It turned out great, and I am very pleased with it.

The engraving on the brown panel was done in a different manner, so that it can be back-lit. The panel is made from white (opal) acrylic, and then the surface and edges were painted with brown paint. When the paint had dried and hardened up after a few days, I then engraved the lettering into the suface. This is done to the depth of 0.2mm, which of course goes through the paint and into the white acrylic underneath. Now, when I put white LEDs or small 'grain of wheat' lamps on the back, the light shines through the lettering creating the back-lighting.

Ultimately there will be some high-intensity red LEDs fitted inside the handle, which will light up the whole handle whenever there is an engine fire. The shaft is a short length of 1/4" brass rod. Yes, I will bore a hole down its centre for the LED wires when I fit them!!!