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Electronic Auto Light Dimming Circuit

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mbanus(at)hotmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 6:42 pm Post subject: Electronic Auto Light Dimming Circuit

Most Avionics items  (Nav/Comm etc) come with a circuit that automatically dims the “lights” as it  gets darker using a light sensor.  I  would like to employ such a device to auto dim the few lights in my C/P that are  not already auto dimmed.  I have  searched for such a device with no luck. Does anyone know of such a  device? 

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =  "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />  

TIA 

  

Mark  Banus 

G SIIS FT  N600

   [quote][b]

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hooverra(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 7:44 pm Post subject: Electronic Auto Light Dimming Circuit

Mark,

    This is what I used, Not flying yet so I don't have a long term 

impression although is seems well designed. I am not using the auto dim 

function although I could add it.



http://www.a-and-t-labs.com/K11_Dimmer/index.htm



-- 

Ralph C. Hoover

RV7A 

hooverra at verizon dot net

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gmcjetpilot

Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 170

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:20 pm Post subject: Electronic Auto Light Dimming Circuit

Manual light control is the way to go 90% of the time.

   

  Technically its easy, practically not so much. In a Boeing 767 and 757 most cockpit lights (all but one or two) are adjusted manually. The CDU (Control Display Unit, a green monochromatic alpha/numeric CRT/keyboard down low in the isle-stand) has a photocell. It also has a manual light adjust. Almost everything or area on the overhead or panel has manual light control. There are probably 20 rheostats to adjust the lights (manually). In general they are set and remain unchanged from pilot to pilot. Some pilots will turn them down during the day. 

   

  The problem with a PHOTOCELL's in the cockpit of an airplane is where do you put the photocell? You almost need one for each device due to local light. Most important question is DO YOU NEED IT? Really we fly during the day or night. You set your lights as need and fly.  Sometimes when IFR, night, low visibility approach, I might turn down cockpit lights, EFIS brightness, just to make sure my eyes are dark adapted and to see the approach lights. I don't know if it helps but I do that. If there is lightning I might turn them ALL to high. In fact some airplanes have a swtich that turns ALL lights to high for that reason. The high lights reflect off the windscreen and protect the eyes somewhat A photocell will not help. 

   

  MANUAL control is the way to go in my opinion. The reason the little LED displays on avionics have photocells is they are read during the day. Most EFIS or what ever is usually full bright during the day. At night you turn them down. The EFFORT to make that small adjustment from day to night is pretty small. How much do you fly at night a year? 

   

  If you want to learn how to make a photocell switch or dimmer  there are cool electronic hobby kits that you can make. Google it. Personally I still have a 200 in ONE electronic kits that I play around with different project ideas, at least to start. I also have a prototype board, but those "kids" electronic kits are fun for kids and adults. Usually they all include a photocell project or five. From there you can add on to an existing dimmer or make your own photocell dimmer, if you decide to go that way. It sounds like you want to learn how it work. They also have stand alone electronic kits, such as photo cell dimmers and switches. Even if you don't do it, its fun to make those little kits. They  George 

   

   

   

  >From: "Mark Banus" <mbanus(at)hotmail.com>

 	  Quote: 	
		  Subject: Electronic Auto Light Dimming  Circuit



Most Avionics items (Nav/Comm etc) come with a circuit that 

automatically dims the "lights" as it gets darker using a light sensor.

  

I would like to employ such a device to auto dim the few lights in my 

C/P that are not already auto dimmed.  I have searched for such a

 >device with no luck. Does anyone know of such a device?
	


 	  Quote: 	
		  

TIA Mark Banus G SIIS FT 


	




        Be a better friend, newshound, and   [quote][b]

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