December 2, 2007 - Autopilot, Panel Light, Flap

 I decided to try a new method and knock out systems one by one.  I started with the Autopilot.  I cut some black, brass screws to the correct length -- very short for the Pictorial Pilot -- and secured the instrument to the panel.  In the beginning, I had not realized I needed a switch for the autopilot, thinking it had an on-off knob.  When I finally got around to examining the wire diagram, I realized it needed a switch.  So I got one and installed it.  I ran the power circuit wires -- power wire from bus to switch, another power wire from switch to instrument, and a ground wire from instrument to ground.  I had run the wire bundle from instrument to wing servo previously. 

I'm not going to power up the autopilot until I have the servo connected.  There's a big warning in the instructions about damaging the instrument if there is a short in the servo wires. 

 
With the autopilot complete, I turned my attention to the Panel LED light strip and dimmer.  First task was to mount the Dimmer circuit board.  The center subpanel, aft side, seemed the best spot.  I'll be able to access this area easily when the canopy is open. 
 
 Head-on view, looking forward. 
 
 Next I soldered up the Panel lighting switch.  I used a mini-switch.  No particular reason; I just felt like trying something different. 
 
 I ran and attached all the wires.  Other than the power wire from the Main Bus to the on-off switch, all the other wires go to the Dimmer circuit board.  My panel light is a blue LED strip I bought from Stein Air.  After a few adjustments due to user error, I flicked the switch on, and turned the dimmer knob clockwise, and ...   I had light!  The dimmer worked like a champ as well. 
 
You can see the LED lights reflecting off the center subpanel. 
 
Finally, it was time to finish the Flap circuit.  It was already pretty much operational.  I just had to reverse the two flap motor wires at the switch to get the flaps working in the right direction.  Switch up - flaps up,  switch down - flaps down. 
 
Big day today.  Finished the autopilot, panel lighting and flaps. 
 
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