737 Annunciator PCB recommendations?

[MistyBlue]

Hi all, I've been researching where to buy Printed Circuit Boards (PCB's) for the annunciator LEDs in my FWD/AFT overhead.  I know a PCB isn't necessary, but it makes things a bit neater and easier.  I found some at PCFlights.com but don't know if they are reliable (?). 

Any recommendations?

[KyleH]

FYI Links help.

Are you talking about these: http://pcflights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=46_50&products_id=237?

I don't see any reason they wouldn't be reliable, it's a simple design, and looks to be built right from the pics.

[MistyBlue]

Those are the ones.  No phone number on the site always makes me a bit wary.  And they haven't replied to my message via the site a couple days ago.

[Flying_Fox]

I use far cheaper PCBs from Opencockpits: http://www.opencockpits.com/catalog/pcb-for-indicators-p-309.html



See in my blog for MIP and Overhead.
http://elephantair737.blogspot.ca



Nick

[MistyBlue]

Good info, Nick.  That looks good. What part did you use for the 3 pin headers and connector?

[ifeliciano]

Those are the ones.  No phone number on the site always makes me a bit wary.  And they haven't replied to my message via the site a couple days ago.

I ordered the Aft OVHD annunciator kit from them yesterday. Got a few automated emails and one stated they'll ship in 2 - 4 days. No phone numbers in the emails, but I did find this...

Questions & Answers
How long has SF Sales been in business?  SF Sales has been in business for approximately 7 years.
What is the phone number for SF Sales?  The phone number for SF Sales is (646) 642-5550
Are there other companies located at 2225 Benson Ave, Brooklyn, NY?  There are 6 commercial tenants at 2225 Benson Ave, Brooklyn, NY.
Is there a key contact at SF Sales?  Vsevolod Smik is the Chief Executive Officer at SF Sales. You can contact Vsevolod at (646) 642-5550.
Where is SF Sales located? SF Sales is located at 2225 Benson Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11214.
How many people work at SF Sales?  SF Sales has approximately 2 employees at this location.

[Caflyt]

You have nothing to worry about.
I have purchased from them 3 times and all have gone well and the annunciators are good quality.
I have received the Aft Ohd annunciators set recently also but have not yet opened them up.
I am waiting on my new panels from Jorge at Navcom and these annunciators will be used with those panels.

I have been satisfied with them.

Craig

[Flying_Fox]

Good info, Nick.  That looks good. What part did you use for the 3 pin headers and connector?

I use breakaway headers like this for my annunciators PCBs:

http://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/break-away-headers-straight.html

and 2-pin jumper wire like this:
http://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/300mm-f-f-2-pin-jumper-wire.html

You can always add a pin and a wire for 3-pin headers.

Here are my dual-state annunciators:



and the video how I make annunciators from Christmas lights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1jAeVFRQB0

[ifeliciano]

Good info, Nick.  That looks good. What part did you use for the 3 pin headers and connector?

These work well if you can solder and have the crimpers for the female end.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Wurth-Electronics/61900311121/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMt93J8DTi5DC03qV8ayBX0k

[Flying_Fox]

These work well if you can solder and have the crimpers for the female end.

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Wurth-Electronics/61900311121/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMt93J8DTi5DC03qV8ayBX0k

The above pricing
1: $0.938

and

http://www.robotshop.com/ca/en/break-away-headers-straight.html
• 40 pin
• Comes in 10 pack
CAD $2.13

like 100+ times cheaper   

[MistyBlue]

Thanks for the good news on PCFlights.  They have been working with me to meet my needs, albeit reply times are a bit slow.  I'll order the PCBs from them.

Awesome suggestion on the parts, guys!  Thank you!

Love the little jig you made in that video Nick.  What a great idea to save time making these things.  Very tedious otherwise!

[Jimmerrelie]

I bought the pc flights annunciators for my overhead and mip.
Had them a year now, no problems to report. They are great and super easy to work with.
I purchased the complete prebuilt set. Plug and play all the way. Cost some more but saved me countless hours of soldering. In my opinion, worth the extra cost.
Check the specs tho as I had to enlarge all of the cutouts on my mip  to get them in.

[MistyBlue]

Cool, glad to see another nod.  Thank you!

I ordered their PCB's and headers/connectors.  Will solder myself because it's cheaper and the lead time was shorter.  Not hard, but a bit tedious as you alluded to.

[blueskydriver]

For new people following this post and has never soldered a lot of pcb's before, you need a soldering pot:

Wiki Info:
Solder pots are small, temperature-controlled pots or tanks with flared lips that are used to tin wires and soldering tips. Solder pots also are particularly useful for dipping electronics such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) with through-hole leaded components.

Unless, you can get your wife to do all of them, like overhead pcb's, without a pot and just by patience alone, I suggest you buy one...lol!

John

[Trevor Hale]

Wow John,  I never used one of these,  I mean I have used wave solder machines before at work.... but for me...  Just me and my trusty soldering iron LOL

[blueskydriver]

Hey Trev,

I know what you mean, I didn't use a soldering pot until 2 years ago, so all the previous years, it was soldering iron-ville...lol...

A wave soldering machine is really cool and I can imagine the work you could do with one, even a small version would be awesome.

John

[MistyBlue]

Definitely thanks John.  Never heard of such a thing but it looks like it would come in extremely handy for all the wiring I'm doing right now!

[blueskydriver]

Hi Tony,

Glad to be of help 😀

Here is a great simple video I found on Youtube to do with PCB boards; I really like how he used the foam board to put everything together first. It keeps the component pins straight when getting ready to dip it all at once. He is using a Soldering PCB Square Pot; it's just bigger and square...

Here is the link:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YkC_Oc1Wpq8

Happy Soldering,

John

[ifeliciano]

For new people following this post and has never soldered a lot of pcb's before, you need a soldering pot:

Wiki Info:
Solder pots are small, temperature-controlled pots or tanks with flared lips that are used to tin wires and soldering tips. Solder pots also are particularly useful for dipping electronics such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) with through-hole leaded components.

Unless, you can get your wife to do all of them, like overhead pcb's, without a pot and just by patience alone, I suggest you buy one...lol!

John

That's a great idea. I've used them before, but mainly to "tin" the stripped end of a stranded wire. I've always been partial to my Hakko soldering station.