rockwoodrv9

rockwoodrv9

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I am reading my VP instructions and trying to figure out what I want to use for switches on my 9A. From what I am reading, I can use almost any 12v switch since all it does is go to the VP box.

My question is - what switches are people using? I would like a rocker type and I really like a switch that would light up when on. I can't see spending the money they want for the Rockrack switches when a simple car or boat switch will work.

Any suggestions? I don't want the ultra cheap ones on ebay. I think a round switch will be easier to install, but maybe a switch panel would work easy too.

Thanks for the info.
 
I was originally planning on using Honeywell lighted rockers until I figured out how much it was going to cost. I've since decided on going with the Honeywell TL series toggle switches even though I like the look of rockers better. In general there are not as many options on the configuration of the switch with the rockers as there are for these toggle switches. I did find some low cost lighted rocker switches which I used for an FSX panel I put together. They are a few bucks a piece. I'm a EE and I can't stand the feel of a cheap switch. These seemed pretty reasonable for the money.

http://www.mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?R=CN201J11S215Qvirtualkey61170000virtualkey611-CN201J11S215Q
 
Thanks Ray. I don't like a cheap switch either - you can just tell by switching. Those Honneywell lighted ones are pretty high - almost like the rockrack. Just figuring out all the parts in the rockrack switch was more than I wanted to do. I just can't see dropping that much for switches.

The switches you linked look pretty good. I may order them just for a test. They are not that expensive and could be used for something else if I didn't think I wanted them in the plane. Thanks for the link.
 
I used Honeywell AML rocker switches, and had Aircraft Engravers do the lettering on them. http://www.engravers.net/aircraft/rocker_switches.htm

Very happy with the results.

Check with Aerotronics for the switches, IIRC that is where I got mine. http://www.avionicsmall.com/hardware/switches-guards

Lower left in this shot.

010.JPG
 
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I have switches from Aerosport Products in my RV-10.

http://aerosportproducts.com/switches.htm

If you go to that page, there is a short write-up on how to use the switches with a VP-X.

Full disclosure: while I don't work for Aerosport Products, I did write to the text for using the switches with the VP-X.
 
I'm really glad to see this thread! I'm installing a VP-X too. When I became aware of how the switches work and how little current they carry, I couldn't see spending so much money on expensive switches. I went to an automotive store and looked at them because I really want rocker switches. But all the ones I found there were too cheap. I was hoping to find some good quality ones at a reasonable price. Thank you for these suggestions. :)
 
If you are interested in the Honeywell switches, either lighted or not they are cheaper to purchase at Allied Electronics than almost anywhere else.
Just Google Allied Electronics and search their site for "Honeywell AML34EBA4AC01" and go from there.
They work great with a VP-X system. You purchase the switch covers separately and have them engraved however you want. Not very expensive.
Good luck.
 
Remember, if you use a lighted switch you may need to figure out how to dim it at night. Without dimming they can get real bright when the sun goes down.
 
DanH said:
Remember, if you use a lighted switch you may need to figure out how to dim it at night. Without dimming they can get real bright when the sun goes down.
Click to expand...

Dan, Good advice if you are planning on flying at night. I will not be flying at night - one of the conditions with my wife to start flying again and it was my idea. I don't think it would be hard to put a dimmer on it and much easier to do that before closing up the panel in case my son or someone else is ok with night flying.

My son flys an Apache AH64-D and 80% of his flights are at night!
 
Allied Electronics is running an excess inventory sale on the rocker and toggle switches currently. This sale is about 40% off their standard pricing. This does make the rockers more reasonable.
 
Thanks for the tip. That puts them at a reasonable price point. Bruce - better look too!!

rapid_ascent said:
Allied Electronics is running an excess inventory sale on the rocker and toggle switches currently. This sale is about 40% off their standard pricing. This does make the rockers more reasonable.
Click to expand...
 
I spent ages researching this and am also using a VPX. I obtained samples of various swithces and felt the Rock Racks to be too bulky and the icons too small.


In the end I went with Honeywell AMLs as thyy have great quality, good reviews and i wanted the engraved rocker plates which were done via a supplier recommended here.

I wanted the lighted ones and by mistake ordered the unlighted version. I never fly at night so may just stick with the unlighted version but if interested i did advertise them here at a significant discount - see http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=107128&highlight=honeywell
 
rleffler said:
I have switches from Aerosport Products in my RV-10.

http://aerosportproducts.com/switches.htm

If you go to that page, there is a short write-up on how to use the switches with a VP-X.

Full disclosure: while I don't work for Aerosport Products, I did write to the text for using the switches with the VP-X.
Click to expand...

Bob, how bright is the illumination in these switches? I think these are the ones a buddy of mine who built a Velocity XL used. He said they were kinda dim and ended up replacing the LEDs with brighter ones.
 
grayforge said:
Bob, how bright is the illumination in these switches? I think these are the ones a buddy of mine who built a Velocity XL used. He said they were kinda dim and ended up replacing the LEDs with brighter ones.
Click to expand...

Brightness is hard to quantify. They definitely aren't dim. They are clearly visible in the daylight. I also have a dimmer on them for flying at night.

While not the best photos, you can see them on my panel in broad daylight. You can clearly see which ones are illuminated and those that aren't.

http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displ...r&project=260&category=9339&log=182458&row=10
 
another option

Round rocker from WAYTEK. We wanted 8 switches in this space and low profile so worked well for us. Panel back plate drawn up in Alibre and import DXF into Front panel express. Switch needs led reversed to work with vpx switched ground
IMG_20131225_210754_900_zpsubye8g6_edit_1388062291637_zpsiifxm59k.jpg
 
Yes. WAYTEK has different color led choices. I disassemble switch to reverse led and am comfortable with quality. Can send u cad file and front panel express file if u like. With the black face and white engraving, very readable with little light.
 
Jack,

Can you send me a copy of the files also, please? Those are awesome looking switches. I didn't want the Aerosports - too bulky - and the Honeywells still looked too utilitarian. But those are great looking.

Hopefully if I plan it right, I'm thinking about combining those with some of the electro-backlighting tape. Either the fiber-optic kind http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/el/instrumentlighting/fiberopticpanellight.php or SPT's combined tape and dimmer system http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/el/instrumentlighting/sptlightstrip.php
 
Yes. Travelling today but will send you files. If you need different size , I can modify for you and send. Please pm you contact details.
 
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