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Low Cost Instrument Panel Lighting System.
Click on above picture for larger image
Here is a suggestion for a simple, low cost
instrument panel lighting system. It consists of Three 4" Molding lights laid
end to end and attached to the baggage compartment support tube 6-E-1-2 on a
Zenith 601. The drawing shows the installation. The molding lights come in
packages of two and can be purchased at most automotive stores for $5 each. The
label description reads Navigator NV-900R, "Multipurpose Molding Lights". The
center light strip is shortened at an angle on both ends. This allows the two
outside light strips to follow the curved contour of the support tube. Each
strip is fastened with two A4 rivets. A slight counter sink was used on the
aluminum mounting frames to allow only a minor protrusion of the rivet heads.
The end cap mounting holes were drilled out to a diameter slightly larger than
the A4's, allowing them to snap in place over the rivet heads. Wiring tucks in
behind the support tube and is tacked in place with dabs of silicone every 4" or
so (The matchbox sized device mounted on top of the turtle deck is a GPS
receiver ). The wiring of the system allows for full redundancy (3 separate
lighting systems), and the ability to light either 1, 2 or 3 strips at once
depending on the brightness desired. A Double Pole, Double Throw Switch is used
with On-Off-On positions. A variety of these types of switches can be purchased
at Mouser Electronics or Radio Shack. My favorite switch series is the CW
Miniature Rocker from Mouser, P/N 629-GRS4023A0009 for $2. Light strip#1 is
powered all the time through the Nav light circuit. This is the center switch
position. The down position adds light strip #2, and the up switch position
adds both strip #2 & #3. This approach provides a 3:1 variation in lighting
intensity without the need for a rheostat. The builder also has the option of
including the 4th light strip if a higher intensity is desired.
Chuck Long
N601LE