EL Panel removal?

[Rick Erwin]

wslade2:

The refurbed panels come back with new wire leads that are about 6-8 inches long, which is what the OEM panels had. They are a direct replacement, they connect to the Inverta-Pak and come back with certification. I assume that since the shop is a Certified Repair Station, that they are limited in what they can do to modify the OEM design? I agree though that it sure would be nice to get rid of the Inverta-Pak.

My panels were not "backlit" per se'. Somehow the light source is in the panel. I recall being told about the LED color temperature difference, so I assumed they are tiny "bulbs"? Perhaps they are just LED filaments? I sure would like to see one stripped to see how they work. They must be segmented somehow, as my Flap Panel had a strip down the middle that no longer illuminated.

It would be interesting to know exactly how the light in the panels is created and imbedded, and if they modified the original design. I know the company Uma, makes LED light rings that illuminate the face of steam gauges in the panel, and they still use inverters to power them.

If you ever get any of your queries answered, please let us know...

Rick

[patrolpilot]

Do mind sharing what the work cost?

[patrolpilot]

Why I’m asking is my thinking is to eliminate the panel altogether during the panel upgrade.

[Rick Erwin]

Nimbus charged $1200 to repair and refurb both the switch panel and the flap panel.

Air Capital Dial was going to be another $300-400 on top of that.

Rick

[Rick Erwin]

For anyone thinking of taking the electroluminescent switch panel off, be sure you read my edit of my post in this thread dated: 06-10-21, 10:31 PM.

It has the potential to save you a lot of grief!

Rick

[wslade2]

Yeah, my original original original plan was to eliminate the electroluminescent panel/converter, new plain panel and some other type of lighting.

But now that I think about it, alternative lighting might be a challenge. Recently did some work on the alternator switch and there’s not a lot of access behind there like for string of post lights, their securing nuts, wiring, ground…

[Rick Erwin]

Agreed, I don't think the Cessna engineers could have designed anything else to go back there.

I had to remove three pressurization instruments just to get to the little alternator restart push button. It's crazy.

There's no such thing as a "Line Replaceable Unit" on these airplanes.