White or blue led's for flood light?

[jan737]

Hello,

I'm searching for a solution to build in led's witch can add flood light to my 737NG MIP.

To dim the flood light I'm gonna use the leddimmer from Mike's flightdeck.
I'm thinking to use white or blue led's for the flood light.

But I'm a bit lost with all the different led's, so is there anybody who can help me with the next questions:

- Witch led colour will give the best results?
- How much light must the led produce (mcd or flux), on what angle?
- What's the best way to build in the led's?

Kind regards

Jan Geurtsen.

[mbessler]

"But I'm a bit lost with all the different led's, so is there anybody who can help me with the next questions:

- Witch led colour will give the best results? "

I'd say it depends on what you want to have. Yellow, white, and maybe blue might be best.

"- How much light must the led produce (mcd or flux), on what angle? "

Don't use too bright LEDs. If you use LEDs with less than 1000mcd, it might come out best.

You don't wanna be blinded by the night panel lighting.


"- What's the best way to build in the led's? "

physically or electrically ?


Regards,
Manuel

[jan737]

"Don't use too bright LEDs. If you use LEDs with less than 1000mcd, it might come out best.

"You don't wanna be blinded by the night panel lighting.

That's why I'm using the led dimmer.

"- What's the best way to build in the led's? "

"physically or electrically ?

Both please


Kind regards

Jan

[mbessler]

"That's why I'm using the led dimmer."

Thats not really effective. The brightness of LEDs is not really linear. I'd suggest to get some cheaper, not so bright LEDs and use a dimmer that works say in the 70-100% range.

You said that you'll use Mike's circuit for the dimmer, why don't you use a switching type dimmer ?
eg:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...htm#dimmer.gif

The switching type dimmers don't convert the unused energy into heat. Thats what Mike's circuit does.

"Both please"

Electrically:
connect a few of LEDs in series (like 2-5) and then several of these 2-5 LEDs chains in parallel until you get the amount of LEDs you want/need.

You would need one resistor for each series chain of LEDs. The value would need to be calculated when you have set the other parameters like number of LEDs, supply voltage, and type of LED.


Mechanically:
For your glareshield, eg EFIS,MCP:
If the top of your glareshield stands over a little from the MCP,... panels, then you could use this to hide the LEDS in.

Similar for your MIP, drill some tiny holes in the bottom of the glareshield and put the LEDs in into the holes.

Is that what you meant ?


Manuel

[jan737]

"Thats not really effective. The brightness of LEDs is not really linear. I'd suggest to get some cheaper, not so bright LEDs and use a dimmer that works say in the 70-100% range.

You said that you'll use Mike's circuit for the dimmer, why don't you use a switching type dimmer ?
eg:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/home....htm#dimmer.gif"

Witch one do you mean?

The switching type dimmers don't convert the unused energy into heat. Thats what Mike's circuit does.

"Both please"

Electrically:
connect a few of LEDs in series (like 2-5) and then several of these 2-5 LEDs chains in parallel until you get the amount of LEDs you want/need.

You would need one resistor for each series chain of LEDs. The value would need to be calculated when you have set the other parameters like number of LEDs, supply voltage, and type of LED.


Mechanically:
For your glareshield, eg EFIS,MCP:
If the top of your glareshield stands over a little from the MCP,... panels, then you could use this to hide the LEDS in.

Similar for your MIP, drill some tiny holes in the bottom of the glareshield and put the LEDs in into the holes.

Is that what you meant ?

Yes, thank you.


Jan

[mbessler]

"eg:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/home....htm#dimmer.gif"

Witch one do you mean? "

The "12 Volt Lamp Dimmer".

The version on the right side is easiest.
If you live in Europe, then you probably want to use another transistor, as the 2N types are not very common here.

Most NPN type transistors that can drive the required load will work.
Eg. BC635, BD677, TIP120.


Manuel

[jan737]

Manuel,

Thanks for the great help.
I'll sort it out and make a test pcb and try the dimmer.

Jan.

[hobu]

Another Source for a LED-Dimmer:
http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/led_dimmer.htm

Btw.: A very valuabe site for pit-builders!

Regards,
Holger

[mbessler]

Holger,

"Another Source for a LED-Dimmer:
http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/led_dimmer.htm"

This is what the original poster referred to.

This dimmer wastes energy though. A switching dimmer doesn't.


Manuel