Hey all,I'm preparing my cockpit panels currently to make them myself as DS is taking too long. I want to use this method, as it's cheap, easy, and gives good backlighting (I think): http://www.xflight.de/f16/pe_sim_pnl.htmBut I've got a questions concerning that method...If you put the LEDs in the back, the angle they emit light is rather small (mostly 30 degrees), and the light is thus "wasted"... You can put them in from the sides, but how to do that? I have no experience with this, I only saw some pictures from panels and "glowpads" (engraved plexi, picture: http://www.pcarena.org/images/gallery/glowpad%202.JPG).As you can see, that glowpad lights up perfectly wih only 2 leds, while I think putting them in like described on xflight needs a lot more... Or does it get reflected by the paint on the inside? Lightbulbs have a much bigger angle, but get hot and are more expensive (same price, LEDs last longer).Could somebody tell me exactly what's true and what's false, and what to do best?

What you're referring to is a "light plate". They are illuminated by small incandescent lamps, LEDs, or electroluminescent panels. There are special LEDs made for this sort of edge lighting application. Rather than having a round end that acts as a projection lens, they have a dimpled end that sends the light out the side. You can hack LEDs to get a fair amount of light to come out sideways. I've cut them at a 45 degree angle and painted the end with gloss white paint. I've also drilled a conical pit into the end and painted that with gloss white. I'm sure the efficiency is low, but with high output LEDs it's been more than adequate.Here is some background on light plates: http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/center_pedestal_4.htmMikewww.mikesflightdeck.com

Good idea... if I take low efficiency LEDs (that have 60 degrees angles) and cut of 45 degrees like you said, it could work with less LEDs than high efficiency I think :)Thanks for the idea