I know there are some electronics whiz kids on this forum. Hopefully one of you can help me with this mystery!
Background: RV-12 120176, flying for over a year now, autopilot and lighting options installed during original build.
Problem: During my first real night cross-country leg earlier this week I was unable to get the panel lights to come on. By "panel lights" I mean the lights on the rocker switches, the eyeball cockpit light, and the light in the autopilot disconnect switch. Master was on (obviously), Avionics was on, Nav/Strobes were on and working. I was able to get into the "Dim" screen of the D-180, and change the brightness of the screen itself, but there was still no light in the panel light circuit.
After landing and shutdown I tried again. Much to my surprise, the lights came on. Yesterday, while taxiing to my hangar, I tried the lights again. No joy. Apparently the lights don't work when the engine is running, but do work when the engine is off!
More information: This could be something I introduced during the recent condition inspection, or it could be that this is the way the lights have been working since original build, since I don't fly much at night and wouldn't have noticed.
I have the skematic that someone put together a couple of years ago, but that isn't much help. The lighting wires go back to a pin coming out of the D-180 called "CLT". I have no idea what "CLT" means, and of course I have no idea of the circuitry inside the D-180. My reading of the Dynon manuals suggests that those external lights should dim along with the D-180 screen. Perhaps that is what the "CLT" line is for.
OK, one of you genius'es help me out here!
John
Background: RV-12 120176, flying for over a year now, autopilot and lighting options installed during original build.
Problem: During my first real night cross-country leg earlier this week I was unable to get the panel lights to come on. By "panel lights" I mean the lights on the rocker switches, the eyeball cockpit light, and the light in the autopilot disconnect switch. Master was on (obviously), Avionics was on, Nav/Strobes were on and working. I was able to get into the "Dim" screen of the D-180, and change the brightness of the screen itself, but there was still no light in the panel light circuit.
After landing and shutdown I tried again. Much to my surprise, the lights came on. Yesterday, while taxiing to my hangar, I tried the lights again. No joy. Apparently the lights don't work when the engine is running, but do work when the engine is off!
More information: This could be something I introduced during the recent condition inspection, or it could be that this is the way the lights have been working since original build, since I don't fly much at night and wouldn't have noticed.
I have the skematic that someone put together a couple of years ago, but that isn't much help. The lighting wires go back to a pin coming out of the D-180 called "CLT". I have no idea what "CLT" means, and of course I have no idea of the circuitry inside the D-180. My reading of the Dynon manuals suggests that those external lights should dim along with the D-180 screen. Perhaps that is what the "CLT" line is for.
OK, one of you genius'es help me out here!
John