Switch Positions

[Pinecone]

I am finalizing my panel layout and would like some input.

The setup will have the electric (master, alternators, avionics master) and fuel to the left side.

Just right of the yoke will be the pitot heat and prop heat.

The lighting switches will be to the right between the G3X and radio stack, above the AP controller.

So I have 7 lighting switches that will be in two rows.  They are Landing, Taxi, Recognition, Beacon, Nav, Strobes, and the Flasher control.

The Flasher pulses the Landing and Recog lights.  But when you turn on the respective switch that light comes on steady, not pulsed. 

I plan on the Flasher and Beacon to be on most all the time.  

I am thinking to have them make two rows of 4 holes, and just put a cover on the unused hole, in case I need to add a switch.

But either way, which switches on each row and what order.  And explain your thoughts.

Thanks.

[ArtVandelay]

My design criteria was to have anything I need to interact with in flight on the right side of the yoke (I fly with my left hand), so I put the light switches on the left side as I rarely use them while in flight.
I put the engine monitor and transponder in the right radio stack because I rarely interact with them during flight.
Everything else I use is in easy reach of my right hand.

I would recommend arranging your panel similarly.

[donkaye]

I gave quite a bit of thought to my arrangement.  Lower left in order, Master, Alternator, Display, Avionics.  They go on immediately at startup.  I then grouped the lights in two rows right in front of me.  The landing, taxi and recognition lights are on the top row.  Each operates on its own.  The lower three in order are the Nav, Strobe and Pulse lights.  At night the Nav lights go on and when on the runway at all times the Strobe and Pulse lights go on.  The Pulse Lights pulse alternately the left Recognition light and right Taxi light and vise versa.  They take precedence over the Recognition lights.  To the right of the lights is a row of miscellaneous items, Boost Pump, Pitot Heat, Prop Deice, and the Master LHS switch.  The LHS switch was the old pitch trim switch for the KFC 150.  I have found this placement has worked well for me.

[Marc_B]

Agreed with light switches in two banks of 3...in flight vs airport environment...even if not in the overhead, I think it makes a lot of sense.

strobe/nav/beacon

recog/taxi/landing

[Rick Junkin]

This is what worked for me. Electric power and Ignition on the left, lights and fuel on the right with Ice Protection over the lights and fuel. The bottom right three switches are taxi, landing, and boost pump which I use in my last chance landing flow check - taxi lights on when cleared for approach, landing lights and boost pump confirmed on when cleared to land.

Cheers,
Junkman

[jetdriven]

On 4/6/2024 at 3:55 PM, donkaye said:

I gave quite a bit of thought to my arrangement.  Lower left in order, Master, Alternator, Display, Avionics.  They go on immediately at startup.  I then grouped the lights in two rows right in front of me.  The landing, taxi and recognition lights are on the top row.  Each operates on its own.  The lower three in order are the Nav, Strobe and Pulse lights.  At night the Nav lights go on and when on the runway at all times the Strobe and Pulse lights go on.  The Pulse Lights pulse alternately the left Recognition light and right Taxi light and vise versa.  They take precedence over the Recognition lights.  To the right of the lights is a row of miscellaneous items, Boost Pump, Pitot Heat, Prop Deice, and the Master LHS switch.  The LHS switch was the old pitch trim switch for the KFC 150.  I have found this placement has worked well for me.

I thought per the STC the display was supposed to be wired to the master.  

Edited April 8, 2024 by jetdriven

[Pinecone]

That may be due to EIS.  Don has non-Garmin.

[Pinecone]

I am thinking:

Top Row - Recognition, Space, Taxi, Landing

Second Row - Beacon, Pulse, Nav, Strobe.

 

 

[jetdriven]

53 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

That may be due to EIS.  Don has non-Garmin.

but you want the EIS to be on all the time for start too because that’s your primary instrument for like oil, pressure and such. 

[donkaye]

9 minutes ago, jetdriven said:

but you want the EIS to be on all the time for start too because that’s your primary instrument for like oil, pressure and such. 

G5 and MVP-50 goes on with the master.  

[Pinecone]

That is what I figured.

In my installed, at least the G3X will come on with the master as it is also the EIS.

[PT20J]

It's pretty clear in the STC installation manuals what should go on with the master and what should be tied to the avionics bus. I considered eliminating the avionics master but according to Garmin, only units that are designated for the main bus have brownout protection for when the bus voltage drops during starting. Others should be off as repeated brownouts stress the power supply.

One thing I did was put the boost pump switch above the throttle where it is easily reached with one finger. I kept getting distracted and forgetting to turn it off after takeoff and now I keep my hand on the throttle until 1000' and then turn it off before removing my hand.

[ArtVandelay]

One thing I did was put the boost pump switch above the throttle where it is easily reached with one finger. I kept getting distracted and forgetting to turn it off after takeoff and now I keep my hand on the throttle until 1000' and then turn it off before removing my hand.

If redoing your panel, why not just add a light to show the fuel pump is on?

[PT20J]

27 minutes ago, ArtVandelay said:

If redoing your panel, why not just add a light to show the fuel pump is on?

I have that -- I kept the annunciator panel. But I have to remember to look at it 

[Pinecone]

12 hours ago, PT20J said:

It's pretty clear in the STC installation manuals what should go on with the master and what should be tied to the avionics bus. I considered eliminating the avionics master but according to Garmin, only units that are designated for the main bus have brownout protection for when the bus voltage drops during starting. Others should be off as repeated brownouts stress the power supply.

One thing I did was put the boost pump switch above the throttle where it is easily reached with one finger. I kept getting distracted and forgetting to turn it off after takeoff and now I keep my hand on the throttle until 1000' and then turn it off before removing my hand.

It helps to have a 24 volt system.  The avionics can run down to something like 10 or 11 volts.

WRT to the boost pump, that would be good, or putting it on the annunciator, but in my 252/Encore, the boost pump is OFF for take off.