Instrument lighting for 1980 Cessna 182Q [Club maintenance]

Andrew Gideon wrote in message gonline.com...
So I've taken on a project for my club, as a part of my desire to get more
involved in the maintenance side of things. I'm to seek out options for
new and improved instrument lighting for one of our aircraft.

The club Maintenance Chief provided me with some information he'd already
collected. There is the "post lighting" option which could have come with
the airplane originally (but did not in this case). I assume that this
could be added on after the fact.

There are vendors Aircraft Spruce & Specialty, Nulite, Fiberlite-Aircraft,
and UMA instrument lighting. At least, I think these are vendors grin.
They might actually be the names of the "lighting systems". I'm starting
from scratch, in the sense that I know nothing.

I installed Nulites on the basic 6 instruments plus 2 CDIs in my panel
(PA28-180) under the supervision of my A&P-IA. Took about 8hrs total
to do solo. It is probably a 2hr operation with two people.

To install by yourself - its a bit cumbersome as you have to reach
under the panel, hold the instrument, remove the mounting screws,
slide the nulite under the panel then sandwich the nulite between the
panel and instrument, refasten screws.

The nulites come with approx 10" long leads that connect directly to
the power/dimmer bus and ground.

Nulites are available with cutouts for the instrument knobs, which
works for most instruments, but you will need a Dremel to trim fit the
nulite for a few instruments. The Nulites recess the instruments by
about 3/16", so I also had to use the Dremel to trim the plastic panel
overlay on the PA28.

I am happy with the results. Brighter than the stock PA28 lighting
system, and a more consistent look from instrument to instrument.

http://www.nulite.net

Nathan

EDR wrote:

The entire surface is conductive, so I am guessing that you would have
to physically break the strip or rope to stop the current flow. If it
is mounted, I don't see that happening.

I was thinking about it dying from old age. This may be "light bulb"
thinking, though, and not applicable.

- Andrew