Lighting switches - Page 2

Av8torTom · #11 04-28-2020, 08:54 AM

OK, so sounds like a progressive switch that is off, Nav on, Nav and Strobes on would work. Then maybe a separate switch for wig-wag and one for landing lights? So a total of 3 switches. Thoughts?

Steve Crewdog · #12 05-23-2020, 12:15 PM

Hi Tom,

Human Factors are something I love studying, so when it came time for my switchology I wanted to make it as simple as possible. If the switch is Down, the system is OFF. If it's Up, the system is ON. All my switches are grouped by system or phase of flight, if I have to turn everything off because of an electrical problem it's one swipe of my hand down without looking or thinking.

I'm using the AeroLED SunRay Plus LED landing light that has it's own built-in wig-wag, so I've got a 3 way switch from Mouser that is OFF-ON-ON, it will be wired Off-Steady (for night flying)-WigWag (for normal daytime ops.) I use the same switch for my heater and it's OFF-LOW-HIGH.

I go more into the design of my panel here: https://seareybuild.blogspot.com/201...with-flow.html

Take care,
Steve

BobTurner · #13 05-23-2020, 12:37 PM

+1 for keeping it simple.
Tom, with an ?off-nav-nav+strobe? switch, imagine landing at night with that switch full on. Turning off the runway, you see other aircraft, so you want to turn the strobes off. But it?s too easy to move that switch to full down without noticing, and now you?re taxiing in the dark with no nav lights.

Steve Crewdog · #14 05-23-2020, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTurner

+1 for keeping it simple.
Tom, with an ‘off-nav-nav+strobe’ switch, imagine landing at night with that switch full on. Turning off the runway, you see other aircraft, so you want to turn the strobes off. But it’s too easy to move that switch to full down without noticing, and now you’re taxiing in the dark with no nav lights.

+1, Bob, a few years ago we had a AOPA seminar on night flying, afterward we all stood outside and watched an attendee taxi out with their nav lights Off, but with beacon and taxi light On. Them who have, and them that are going to, I might have done that myself, too. Maybe even more than once.