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Glare Shield edge guard/panel illumination

Freemasm

Freemasm

Well Known Member
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Can the collective share what they did for glare shield edge guard and panel illumination? Have heard of some who’ve used split Al tubing versus the typical slip-on stuff. Got an idea to try and hide an LED strip under the guard. Anybody try such?

Your thoughts, ideas, shared pic would be appreciated. Thx.
 
Freemasm said:
Can the collective share what they did for glare shield edge guard and panel illumination? Have heard of some who’ve used split Al tubing versus the typical slip-on stuff. Got an idea to try and hide an LED strip under the guard. Anybody try such?

Your thoughts, ideas, shared pic would be appreciated. Thx.
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I have a blue LED strip on a dimmer under the glare shield. Works well. Actually a bit too well. I ended up “blacking” out every other led with sharpie because it was too bright.
 
I wanted an automotive-like interior, so I went with Classic Aero's upholstered and paddled glareshield cover, which is really nice and not all that expensive in aviation terms. It also made it easy to hide an LED light strip behind the "lip".

1781974558670.jpeg

Edit: Oops, didn't see that this was in the Rocket forum... but they might be able to make you one of these if you provide a glareshield edge template.
 
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Didn't want the extra weight of the fully covered glare shield -- just wanted a little finished look and cut protection.

Edge grommet - McMaster Carr
Stick on LED tape, outdoor rated IP64 - Super Bright LEDs -- Dims beautifully with the GAD 27's PWM dimmer current sink (500mA)

IMG_0875.jpeg

In hindsight, I would use the two or three color switchable strip - "Chief of the boat - Rig for Red."
 
What Erich and Matt said. The Classic Aero padded cover looks really good and is easy to install--even on a completed aircraft. It hides the LED strip well, and I also added a dimmer.
 
Stein.
Two strips of LED (one red, one white) under the glare shield. It comes with the tape attached. Just peel and stick. Two dimmers. Works great. No noise.
 
I just did simple door edge guard from Auto Zone or O'reilly. I have 2 LED strips under there. I couldn't honestly tell you if I can see them from the pilot seat, but I want to say not. For sure they're so unobtrusive that I don't even remember.

For people who think I'm gonna cut the top of my noggin off in a crash on the sharp dash edge; that's what shoulder belts are for.
 

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I used some mat vinyl and and flex panel edging from Amazon. Not a show winner but functional and inexpensive. An LED strip would hide behind the edging if you wanted.PXL_20241203_183617662.MP.jpeg
 
I used 12v LED strip lights with self adhesive, attached to under side of glareshield, connected to Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) power supply dimmer.
This is what I used. LED Supply - PART #: R6030-IP20-RGB-03
The strip can be connected for Red, Blue, Green colors and can be cut to desired length.
I built my own power supply/dimmer, but they also sell power supplies.
To properly dim these, you will need a PWM power supply. A resistor in series does not work well.
I have no idea if this setup creates noise on the radios/intercom because I'm not flying yet. :(
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As for the edge of the glareshield, I used a reinforced edging material, I think designed for car doors. It has adhesive tape in the channel and plastic reinforcement built in.
 
Thx to all.

Anyone:
Know of any LED strips that can bend in the horizontal plane?

or

Know of any strips that are relatively short that I can install several short, straight pieces? Rocket glareshields have a very rounded curve.
 
I think I have some short lighting strips in my hangar that I never installed. I was planning to install them just behind the pinch welt but decided I had enough lighting already. I’ll see if I can find them and if so you can have them. If I don’t get back to you soon send me a direct message to remind me.
 
Freemasm said:
Thx to all.

Anyone:
Know of any LED strips that can bend in the horizontal plane?

or

Know of any strips that are relatively short that I can install several short, straight pieces? Rocket glareshields have a very rounded curve.
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Maybe a little inefficient, but the ones I got from Stein could be cut to length between the LEDs.

I get that the edge of the glare shield is curved, but isn't the panel flat? I'd think it would be best to have the entire run parallel to the panel regardless of what the curve above it is doing
 
LED strip lighting from Steinair. Don’t know if he still sells that, but you can get it in a lot of different places. Very flexible, it will conform to the curve of your glareshield or panel. Self adhesive. Mine is controlled via an IP dimmer switch. Tons of RV’s have them. My glareshield is covered with a section of pinch-welt that I got from Cleveland Air Tool, which also clamps the aft edge of my vinyl glareshield cover. Looks good and works well, and at a good price.

The pinch-welt hides the strip lights unless you dip your head down low enough to see the bottom of the glareshield.

The red light is a separate small LED behind the panel underneath controlled with the same glareshield strip switch/dimmer.
 

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Question for all of you electrical experts- will the PWM dimmer output be enough to activate the dimmer circuit on lighted gauges? Normally these need 12v input to go dim. (Electronics International engine instruments for example).

From what I understand, PWM voltage stays the same? Or I could wire a separate panel lights switch and then the PWM Dimmer for the LEDs only.

Been thinking of doing the LED strip mod to the RV8 and would need to dim the EFIS and EI gauges at the same time.
 
I originally got a strip of 5xxx series leds. Could not get them dim enough. Replaced with a strip of the 3xxx series leds and much happier.

Be careful about not getting the brightest ones.
 
Freemasm said:
Can the collective share what they did for glare shield edge guard and panel illumination? Have heard of some who’ve used split Al tubing versus the typical slip-on stuff. Got an idea to try and hide an LED strip under the guard. Anybody try such?

Your thoughts, ideas, shared pic would be appreciated. Thx.
Click to expand...
RV6 I went to the auto parts store and bought the perfect size fuel hose slit it so it had a big belly punched holes in the bottom and installed green 430nm I think wide angle leds . I made 3 parallel circuts so if one failed the others would work I made a little dc to dc converter (LM 417 i THink) and powered it up super light and inexpensive did not use too bright ones no dimmer needed
 
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