Dimmer Switch

[Pictreed]

My IA is upgrading my audio panel soon and I'd like to add a dimmer switch to my avionics.  I have an Avidyne GPS, Garmin 255 Nav/Com, PS 450C audio panel that could use some brightness control.

A quick search shows two different dimmers, a single and a dual instrument.  I'm wondering if a single will be sufficient.  Will the final adjustment be made in the individual instruments and the dimmer controls the brightness?  I know the Avidyne has brightness adjustment but not sure about the others yet...just started looking.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/maxDimUnit.php?clickkey=4042

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/maxdimduod.php?clickkey=4042

 

Thanks, Tim

[jamesm]

I put in a Maxdim Dual Dimmer Controller in my '67C many years ago.  Certain engine instruments like EI CGR30 required  an external components  as I recall it was a RC (Resistor and Capacitor) to make the display dim properly. I  haven't had any problems once I added the extra external components. I think that made mention in the installation manual. A lot lighter than the old wire wound rheostat dimmer that came with mid 60's models Mooney's.  I went a little overboard rewired the whole thing and added fuses and 2 independent buss bars for each channel. One dimmer circuit is radio and instruments  and the other is circuit is for the overhead/shoulder. light dimming. Kind expensive but I got the one STC'd makes less suspect by the Feds and have it legal part of the paper work airplane if it ever gets sold. 

6 hours ago, Pictreed said:

Will the final adjustment be made in the individual instruments and the dimmer controls the brightness? 

These are PWM (pulse width modulation)  dimmer's has great resolution of output. I think would depend on what you wire up to dimmer.  The reason I bought the dual dimmer was to balance what is being dimmed and added two buss bars. On my '67C it's right above the pilot's left knee on one the support truss. I just expanded what Mooney already had there by adding the second buss bar and fuses add protection and call out on my particular dimmer installation. if the lighting doesn't look right or I don't like it I can move the lighting circuit to the over to other circuit in about a 2 minute to change. At one point I had LED and Incandescent lights on the same circuit no problem.  

Hope this helps,

James '67C