Large rheostat replacement for spot and post lights

[Steve65E-NC]

I would like to replace the large, heavy (8" dia) rheostat that controls lighting level for overhead spots, post lights and compass light on my 65E.  What are others doing?

[Igor_U]

On 2/26/2023 at 6:55 PM, Steve65E-NC said:

I would like to replace the large, heavy (8" dia) rheostat that controls lighting level for overhead spots, post lights and compass light on my 65E.  What are others doing?

I am interested in solution as well. Perhaps this MaxDim dimmer controller:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/maxDimUnit.php?clickkey=5316

It's STC's for all the Mooneys... 

[Steve65E-NC]

A little concern about  the report of noise spill over from the square wave into radio circuits.  I have some cabin overhead leds on a boat that wreck havoc with weak FM signals. 

 

[MikeOH]

On 2/26/2023 at 6:55 PM, Steve65E-NC said:

the large, heavy (8" dia) rheostat ...

Seriously???

The pot is 8 frickin' inches in diameter?  I can't believe it would even fit behind the panel!

[N201MKTurbo]

26 minutes ago, MikeOH said:

Seriously???

The pot is 8 frickin' inches in diameter?  I can't believe it would even fit behind the panel!

It’s in the ceiling.

[N201MKTurbo]

They replaced it with transistors because they were cheaper. That rheostat will never break. Is it not working for you?

[0TreeLemur]

My previous C model was responsible for one NTSB entry.  In about 1980 or so, the rheostat in the ceiling overheated and melted the plastic over the pilot's head.

They can and do overheat.

Not sure, but I think that the STC'd pulse-width modulation dimmers work at a frequency much higher than human hearing and are mostly incapable of creating audible interference, especially if you have a modern audio panel.