B737 Startswitches

[archen]

Hello everybody!

My name is Anders and I live in Sweden. Been hanging around on this forum for a while now without making to much noise.

In augusti I bought my first CNC machine. Been working quite hard to make it work like I wanted but in January I was satisfied with the result and since then I've been busy making the starterswitches for the engines. I have always felt that the Starterswitches was cool and a cole starter was hard to find and quite expensive.

I deceided to make my own design, even though it might not look like a cole starterswitch they do work like one and thats the most important thing for me.

I'm also making them and selling to other builders.

I'm very happy with the result of all hours and work I did put into this switches and I hope you guys like them like I do. I did a very short demo of the switches interfaced with phidgets & pokeys, software is prosim737. Of course it can be used with other software.. It all depends on which interface you're choosing.

Have a look at my webpage for more info about this switches and some pictures. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questitions.


here's the video on youtube: My brand new Boeing 737 engine startswitch


Thank you for reading. My webpage is Store

*edit* Fixed url

Best regards,
Anders

[XOrionFE]

Wow

Fantastic work Anders.    I may end up ordering a set if my servo based design doesn't work out.  I really like how yours snap like the real deal!

Scott

[archen]

Hi Scott!
Thank you very much for your feedback. I appriciate it!

As you noticed the sound is quite good. I don't think it's impossible to achive with servos. You just need the right springs. You might not get the fast return as you get with an spring and electromagnet. I've seen your videos of TQ conversion so I think you will pull that off just fine :-) Amazing work on the TQ. Myself is looking after a real TQ.

Best regards,
Anders

[Maurice]

Fantastic piece of work. Well done!

Maurice

[jskibo]

Nice work!

Any idea if it will clear the IBL light connectors on the FDS overhead panel. Both connectors are between the start switches and the center ignition selection switch.

[tennyson]

I bought another manufacturers start switches and they are installed.

I'm not very confident of their operation, so I'm gonna bite the bullet and buy some of these.

They look so much like the real thing, in operation.

Great job, mate. I'll certainly be in touch and making an order this week.


Frank Cooper

[archen]

Hi everybody!
Thanks so much for your kind words!

Nice work!

Any idea if it will clear the IBL light connectors on the FDS overhead panel. Both connectors are between the start switches and the center ignition selection switch.

Hi jskibo,
I have the FDS overhead myself and I've made switch so it clears the connectors. FDS overhead also have a ~1mm thick steelplate coming close the the switches thats why I added a round spacer so it would come up from the backplate 5mm. For those who not have IBL lighting and uses ledstrips there is also room for a ledstrip.



I'm custom making them so if you have any wishes for D-shaped shaft or not, which direction you want the D-shape and the locking pin. (Overhead differs between brands where the locking hole for the rotary is located.) FDS is below, simworld above. I will be taking all these info on order so the switch will fit right in, I'm working towards a switch that needs no modifications to the existing overhead.

Thanks again guys. Your feedback is highly valueable!

Regards,
Anders Helin

[tennyson]

Well, I've just bit the bullet and bought a couple of these switches. Looking forward to installing them in the overhead.

Will put a few pics when I do,


Frank Cooper

[jskibo]

On my near term must buy list!

[Boeing Skunk Works]

Very nice work, but I have to add, I'm glad my airplane doesn't use those!

Much more reasonable that the real Cole's switch.

[tennyson]

Anders has already shown a great willingness to get the product right.

I've had several emails from him, asking the pertinent questions on how I wanted then made to fit my OH and they have already been sent to me.

His after-sales is impeccable, so I am keen to give him top marks for his product.

It's good to support some of the talent from within the cockpit builders community.


Frank Cooper

[archen]

Hi Frank,
Thank you for the nice comments. It's nice to hear when you try hard to make every buyer happy. I'm looking forward to your comments on the switch when they arrive.

Best regards,
Anders

[Sean]

Hi Anders

Did you post a video of your prototype on the ProSim forum a while back? I'm sure it's you.

I'll be ordering a pair of your switches when I return from holiday next week. They look excellent. I'll be fitting them into an Engravity overhead. Have you had any feedback with that combo?

Sean

[archen]

Hi Sean,
You are perfectly right. Thats me! I made one set as a prototype and since then I've been busy building my CNC machine and now I'm making the V2. The mechanism is pretty close the same but the quality and precision is way better in this CNC machined switch.

I'm pretty sure one of my customers did have an engravity ovhd but I haven't heard anything about the installation. I don't think he received them yet. I will get back to you on this.

Best regards,
Anders

[tennyson]

Yeah, that would be me. I have the engravity OH, so as soon as they arrive and I fit them, I'll provide some feedback,


Frank Cooper

[archen]

Thanks Frank! Your switches should arrive this week I hope.

Best regards,
Anders

[XOrionFE]

As much work I did on my servo setup....I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a set of your switches Anders....

I have watched your video over and over and think they are just fantastic and a must have.   I will reach out to you in a couple weeks once I am done with vacation.  I have to have that snap and that sound!

Scott

[sluyt050]

Hello everybody!

I deceided to make my own design, even though it might not look like a cole starterswitch they do work like one and thats the most important thing for me.

I'm also making them and selling to other builders.

Hi Anders,

Magnificent job you did! I am wondering if you know about the latest development at SimWorld. Last year at the FlightSim exhibition in Lelystad they showed a magnificent plug & play forward overhead panel inclusive working start switches. I only forgot how realistic the sound was and if they operate as good as yours. I do not have a 737 cockpit yet, but I am highly interested. Thanks.

[archen]

Hi!

Sorry I have no insight in simworld. I think you will have to ask Filip at simworld. He is very helpful and I'm sure he can give you answer to your questition. Maybe he have a video of it in action so you can compare.

Scott:
Looking forward to hearing from you. I believe it's hard to achieve the same result with servos.


Best regards,
Anders

[Joe Lavery]

Hi Anders,

I like the look of your start switches.
I have an Engravity overhead which is mounted on a plywood frame. Unfortunately I put a strengthening bar across the frame just above where the light switches and starter switches are mounted, I see from your website that the starter switches you have are mounted on an aly plate, with what appears to be a section offset at an angle that carries the solenoid.
Can you give me the dimension of this so I can see if it would fit inside my frame.

Thanks
Joe.

[archen]

Hi Joe,
Please send me an email at archen (a) live (dot) se I'm sure we can work this out.

If you have a picture of backside of the overhead that would be perfect. I've a solution for you if the bar is where the solenoid is.

Regards,
Anders

[sluyt050]

As much work I did on my servo setup....I think I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a set of your switches Anders....

I have watched your video over and over and think they are just fantastic and a must have.   I will reach out to you in a couple weeks once I am done with vacation.  I have to have that snap and that sound!

Scott

I understand that you have a FDS forward overhead panel. I did not contact Peter Cos yet, but referring to their B737NG PRO-M Series, what is your opinion on the engine start switches made by Anders and the present FDS implementation?

This is actually off-topic, but I am considering to bye pre-wired sections from FDS and like to use them with ProSim 737. Do you think this will be feasible or asking for problems?

Thanks, Edward

[tennyson]

Got my starter switches this morning.

I didn't have a lot of time to spare as monday is gym day, but I did manage to get them in the OH.

When I got back home, I did the review, posted here:

Anders Helin's 737 Startswitches

Beautifully made, fitted well and looked wonderful. A few things to consider tho, if you are buying these. The width of the slot they are going in and the depth of your OH.
I know I will have some problems with the panel behing the OH (in the FDS shell), but I'll work that out later.

I haven't hooked power up to them yet, but will, when I get my OH back in the shell.


Great Job, Anders.


Frank Cooper

[Jetcos]

Are they longer than real start switches?  The Cole ones fit.

[XOrionFE]

I just measured my space in the FDS shell and there is at least 6-7" of space up there behind the start switches (at least 15 cm).    Should be no problem fitting those in Frank.

Scott