Boeing 737 Audio Control Panel - Uni Project.

[Terrorfex]

Hello Gents,

I'm retrofitting comms capability into our University 737 (NG) Flight Simulator, as my Honours project. I'd like to use an accurate replica of the real-world set-up where possible. In the case of the ACP (Audio Control Panel), there's a multitude of options out there from this bare-bones approach, to the deluxe version.

Unfortunately my budget is limited, and around £500 to spend, buying the all-singing, all-dancing variant of the ACP leaves me very short for the rest of the needs of the project.

Can anyone help me identify, then, the type of switch (push in to activate, rotate to adjust volume) used on the ACP for selecting between VHF1, VHF2, etc.? I've seen them labelled as OMROM B3F 4050 tactile switches; however these appear only to be the bases, so even if they are the right ones, I'd still need the knob attachments. I've had a scout around the internet, but can't seem to get anything definitive.

If anyone who's built or commissioned these panels were around, your assistance would be very useful.

Much appreciated.

[jackpilot]

Hi Andrew

Especially if you are on a budget your best bet is Real ACP units.
They come and go on EBay.com for $50-max 80 for the latest clean units.
They slightly differ from the NG style (top row cosmetics) but have the same functions.
Avoid the old models with slider toggles
See pics on
http://www.cockpitbuilders.com/community/index.php?topic=2698.msg20644#msg20644

Then, you open the case and put your thinking cap, and multimeter, on
You can make them as realistic as you want with a good dose of  ingenuity (this is what a University is supposed to supply!).
Other builders with real ACP here will probably chime in.

Search EBay for "Gables"
Check this one:
[ebay]321201947013[/ebay]

Jack

[mickc]

Andrew,

The potentiometer switches in the ACP units are made by Electromech Components.

http://www.electromechcomp.com/audio-control-panel-acp-switches/

However, you will blow your £500 budget if you buy any more than 3 of them!

You will also need a front panel that is internally illuminated, as the knobs are edge-lit when pushed in.

As Jack suggested, obtaining a real ACP would be much cheaper, even just to harvest the parts if you don't want to try and interface it directly.

I'll upload the datasheet for the correct switches when I am back at my pc.

EDIT - Here is the datasheet for the NG ACP switches

[dc8flightdeck]

Avoid the old models with slider toggles


Jack

Those are exactly what I have to work with. After a close look I decided to leave them as a future project distaint rainy day. 

justin

[Terrorfex]

Thanks muchly for the responses so far.

Re. The Electromech switches - indeed, it seems difficult enough to order them in anything other than industrial quantities; the lack of clear pricing is always your number one indication this might not be feasible for the one-man operation!

Being in the UK, I'd discounted Ebay purely because we don't have much in the way of aircraft parts on-line here. It never occured to me to use the US site, as even with international shipping, the exchange rate favours us and makes it that bit cheaper.

I'll be watching the auctions closely!

[Ridgenj]

Thanks muchly for the responses so far.

Re. The Electromech switches - indeed, it seems difficult enough to order them

Jörg at www.simparts.de has the knobs and switches for the ACP.

Not affiliated to him in any form or shape.
Cheers
Luis

[jackpilot]

The Real ACP I mentionned above sold for $64 ... (hope YOU got it)
Here is another one
[ebay]321207081538[/ebay]

The real push pots are backlighted when in . Very nice

BTW: the volume function is not really necessary if you use another real intercom to drive the audio channels. Then, the ACP is just used for selecting receive and transmit sources in which case just the switching function is used.