Ive just bought a small EL strip for backlighting. Id like to know how too and what to use to be able to switch it on and off from within the cockpit and also to adjust the brightness by turning a knob instead of just selecting a lower or higher voltage output on my powerpack.ThankyouGary

Gary,What kind of EL strip do you have? Do you have any specs (voltage, frequency, etc.) on the power pack? As for controlling it through your cockpit, do you intend to switch it through your your sim software, or is a directly wired panel switch what you had in mind?Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Hi Mike This is the powerpack that I have http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productview.asp?id=mp3016And the EL http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=SL2835I havent attempted any wiring as yet as I want to make sure of how to do it before I start. Id like to have it as a directly wired and controlled panel switch.ThanksGary

Gary,The link to the EL strip is for an EL cable that comes with its own inverter. The easiest way to switch it on and off is to switch the 12 volts going to the inverter.Dimming is more involved. EL cable and panels both require 100~200 volts AC. The inverter generates this from a 12 volt supply. Reducing the voltage to the EL device will reduce the light output. The question is, will reducing the 12 volts to the inverter reduce the output voltage is a reasonably fashion? Depending on its design, the inverter may simply shut down when the input voltage gets too low. Alternatively, it may be rather more well behaved.You might try running the inverter on lower voltages and see what happens. Mikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Thanks mike I changed the lead over from the car cigarette lighter to the powerpack and switched it as you said and it worked great. However Iam not pleased with the result as the el light has to be directly over the lettering for it to show properly so the panel lettering becomes very patchy. I think the best way to use el lighting is to use sheets and then that way all of the letters will be evenly illuminated. I think Iam going to go down the road of ccfl like Robert Prather and others.Thanks agin for your helpGaz