Hey everyone!
So, my 360 had what I assume is the stock Lancair landing gear
indication system--micro switches, incandescent gear lights, and a
bunch of wire splices.
After more indication failures than I can count (and no actual
landing gear problems), I decided a redesign was in order. Here
were my goals:
- Proximity sensors instead of micro switches--zero moving
parts, completely weatherproof, nothing to wear out, gum up, or
break. Commercial jets have used prox sensors for decades, and
it's just a better way. If something metal comes within 1mm of
the face of the sensor, it will turn on. Period.
- LED lights. Preferably ones that I could dim and
press-to-test.
- No wire splices anywhere. I wanted to run everything to
mil-spec connectors (settled on D-Sub).
So I designed a circuit, prototyped, ordered parts, screwed up,
tried again...until I had a little box with a DB25 connector on
the side.
Here's a brief list of features:
- Works with either prox sensors or existing micro switches
- Has diode-isolated power inputs, so you can feed it from one
or two electrical sources
- Will drive three green and one amber press-to-test, dimmable
LED lights (NLG, RMG, LMG, and Gear in Transit)
- Safety first:
- All components are made from self-extinguishing materials
- Everything is potted in epoxy for vibration and chemical
proofing
- All electrical components are at least 150% oversized.
(Each lamp draws approximately 7 mA, everything on the board
is rated for 1 A or above)
- PCB manufactured in the U.S., enclosure is Canadian, and
majority of components are Amphenol or Tyco
- Route all your wires to one place, crimp on contacts, plug
them in...and you're done. No splices! The box only
requires +12V, GND, and the Gear in Transit connection from the
gear relays. Everything else is self contained.
I'd love to share all my character building with the
community--if there's any interest, I'll make a batch. Price
would obviously depend on quantity, so if you're building or are
interested in a retrofit...let me know!
Pictures should be attached below, if not, let me know and I'll
throw up a quick gallery somewhere.
Louis
louis@gabriels.us
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