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  #1  
Old 03-22-2018, 09:48 PM
mountainride mountainride is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Golden, Colorado
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Default Carling Contura V VPX Wiring

I am trying to run an extremely clean panel with minimal switches. I would like them all etched and illuminated to avoid labels on the panel and the need for panel lights at night (although I will still put an LED strip on a dimmer off panel under the glareshield). I put together an imgur post with CAD image of the panel and the switch diagrams.

It looks like people have made this happen with some frustration but I need a little bit of help understanding how to make it work. Is anyone running a similar setup and care to share?

https://imgur.com/gallery/YpMo9
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  #2  
Old 03-22-2018, 10:26 PM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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Location: 57AZ - NW Tucson area
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Question

From your blog comments -

Perhaps the flap switch with it's center off positions should not be mixed in the the other on/off switches, especially when they are rockers.

Perhaps this sort of unique switch easily identifiable and all on its own might be better?

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  #3  
Old 03-22-2018, 10:37 PM
mountainride mountainride is offline
 
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I have considered that and have a few models with that setup. I have others with a switch set solo, but ultimately the flaps will be primarily controlled from the joystick. I have considered removing defrost and pitot heat from the switchboard as well so only items that are used every flight multiple times are switched. All other items will be controlled from G3X. The flap switch with that switch is not illuminated, and requires a label so fails my installation requirements.
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Last edited by mountainride : 03-22-2018 at 10:40 PM.
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  #4  
Old 03-22-2018, 11:38 PM
rvdave rvdave is offline
 
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I’ve used the carlington rocker led switches with lens covers and used DecalPro Fx to make labels. A tedious process but switches are illuminated and labeled. I changed the leds out to be either red, amber, or blue.
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Last edited by rvdave : 03-22-2018 at 11:42 PM.
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  #5  
Old 03-22-2018, 11:46 PM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
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Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
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Default

I tried to make it work, then gave up. Im sure it is possible, but not with the knowledge I have of low voltage electrical.

My limited understanding is you need to power the lighted part of the switch from another buss. Ask Chad. He may know a trick or two.

Good luck and keep us up to date.
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  #6  
Old 03-23-2018, 12:13 AM
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az_gila az_gila is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9 View Post
I tried to make it work, then gave up. Im sure it is possible, but not with the knowledge I have of low voltage electrical.

My limited understanding is you need to power the lighted part of the switch from another buss. Ask Chad. He may know a trick or two.

Good luck and keep us up to date.
I found it hard to find a suitable on/off switch, but this one should do the job. Miniature bulbs not LEDs though.

https://otrattw.net/V-SERIES-SEALED-...NO-ROCKER.html

Wiring is here - http://www.otrattw.com/wiring/VAD.pdf

It's a simple on/off and has two separate poles and two light bulbs. One side of the switch can be used for the VPX (no diodes needed) and the other side of the switch can be used to turn your indicator lamps on and off. The lamps are wired independently so all combinations of on-off should be possible.
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Half completed RV-10 QB purchased
RV-6A N61GX - finally flying
Grumman Tiger N12GA - flying
La Cholla Airpark (57AZ) Tucson AZ
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  #7  
Old 03-23-2018, 05:44 AM
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rleffler rleffler is offline
 
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Check out the text on the bottom of this page:

http://aerosportproducts.com/switches.htm
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  #8  
Old 03-23-2018, 06:54 AM
mountainride mountainride is offline
 
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Location: Golden, Colorado
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Default

Quote:
Check out the text on the bottom of this page:

http://aerosportproducts.com/switches.htm
These are the Contura II covers which are nice but my personal preference is for the Contura V series and the etched graphic+text. It is especially confusing because it is from the V-series but the "5" (V) style. I will use the premade graphics available at rockerswitchpros and order my switch covers from there.

Quote:
I found it hard to find a suitable on/off switch, but this one should do the job. Miniature bulbs not LEDs though.

https://otrattw.net/V-SERIES-SEALED-...NO-ROCKER.html

Wiring is here - http://www.otrattw.com/wiring/VAD.pdf

It's a simple on/off and has two separate poles and two light bulbs. One side of the switch can be used for the VPX (no diodes needed) and the other side of the switch can be used to turn your indicator lamps on and off. The lamps are wired independently so all combinations of on-off should be possible.
Thank you! This is the switch I was looking for, one with 2 independent lamps. Unfortunately, these bodies are for the Contura II+III as well from what I have researched. Spemco has more but still not the full line of Contura V switches. I will keep digging for the proper SKUs, but essentially what I think I am looking for is Contura V-series Style V (5) DPST switch bodies with 2 independent LEDs in the Off-On, On-Off-On,(On)-Off)-(On) and Off-(On) configurations.

VAD2U66B - DPST - On-Off is the Contura II version of what I am looking for (but with incandescent instead of LEDs)
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  #9  
Old 03-23-2018, 07:10 AM
mountainride mountainride is offline
 
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Also check out https://rockerswitchpros.com/product...itch-actuator/ to see the aviation designs and the beautiful backlit rocker switch covers that can be made for cheap.
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  #10  
Old 03-23-2018, 07:29 AM
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Jvon811 Jvon811 is offline
 
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Default similar set up

I'm getting close to the final install of my Panel in a -4 with Carling switches lasered by RockerSwitchPros.com. They are the Contura V DPST model VAD1-G66B. I've been very happy with the quality. Very nice snap action and the documentation is straight forward on wiring. My only gripe is some of the actuators (switch caps) weren't engraved quite centered. It doesn't bother me now, might in a few years... But the guys on the phone at RockerSwitchPros.com were really friendly and accepted one returned item I had, no questions asked.

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Last edited by Jvon811 : 03-23-2018 at 10:59 AM.
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