Anyone connecting G3x to dimmers? If so, what brand and model dimmer you would recommend. Thank you.
I install dimmers on all panels for G3X and GTN units. I simple 10K pot works fine.
Anyone connecting G3x to dimmers? If so, what brand and model dimmer you would recommend. Thank you.
Correction, 1K, these are the ones I use:
https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/eti-systems/rv6naysd102a/?qs=LMMkZCEv%2Ff0eMsTzfFJ5dQ%3D%3D&countrycode=US¤cycode=USD
So is it for sure 1K?
I've been chasing an issue with mine since the panel re-do 3 years ago. It is SUPER sensitive, and only works through ~5-10% of the range. I've not troubleshot it much as I don't need to adjust the lighting often.
I just looked, and I bought that same model in 10K.
So, if it is supposed to be 1K, I may have found the problem...
These dimmers were recommended to me by the large avionics shop doing my harness. I bought the two pot model for my flood lights I have in my RV8. you can get one to four circuits. They will prefab the harness for an extra fee if you want them to.
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/sptdimming.php
G3X and GAD 27...these are the dimmers SteinAir sent me for my setup.
So is it for sure 1K?
I've been chasing an issue with mine since the panel re-do 3 years ago. It is SUPER sensitive, and only works through ~5-10% of the range. I've not troubleshot it much as I don't need to adjust the lighting often.
I just looked, and I bought that same model in 10K.
So, if it is supposed to be 1K, I may have found the problem...
You don't need big voltage regulating dimmers for the G3X/GTN equipment, the above are for light bulb style dimming where the unit being dimmed is actually drawing current from the dimmer to control it.
The G3X/GTN stuff is voltage sensing and doesn't actually draw any current from the dimmer circuit, it just tracks the voltage which is why a simple pot works fine.
Can you go in and dim the GTN or G3X within the unit? If so, is there a real need other than convenience to have the dimmer?
You don't need big voltage regulating dimmers for the G3X/GTN equipment, the above are for light bulb style dimming where the unit being dimmed is actually drawing current from the dimmer to control it.
The G3X/GTN stuff is voltage sensing and doesn't actually draw any current from the dimmer circuit, it just tracks the voltage which is why a simple pot works fine.
Hey Thomas,
Can you email us a screenshot of your Backlight Configuration Menu? We can take a look at the settings and see if there is any room for improvement.
Thanks,
Justin
Thanks, Walt. I went and changed my settings to match yours. Seems to help. However, I found one issue with the dedicated backlight dimmer. The Bus input voltage provided by the dimmer starts at 0.05 volts but the Garmin minimum dim value Bus Voltage value can only go as low as 0.30 volts in the settings. So if I crank the dimmer all the way counterclockwise for maximum dimming I get the opposite once the value falls below 0.30. In other words the lower output of the mechanical dimmer pot provides a way lower voltage than the Garmin can natively detect, more specifically as soon the voltage goes below 0.30 volts the GDU makes the assumption voltage has been lost and goes to full backlight for what I can only assume is a failsafe mode. So at night I will have to be careful not to turn the dimmer all the way down or I will get full backlight brightness instead of the desired eye-friendly dimming.
Maybe using a lower-sensitivity dimmer pot is more compatible with the G3X display and is friendlier to a pilot who tries to go to minimum screen brightness.
Jim, you are correct that is somewhat of a limitation on the lower end, never really thought much of it as in reality the display is so dark at that point I don't think you would ever turn it down that far when actually using it at night.
Adding a small resistor to the ground side of the dimmer pot could raise the lower value to say .5 or 1v without much problem. I will experiment with that and perhaps make that a normal addition to the dimmer circuit.
Thanks, Walt. I went and changed my settings to match yours. Seems to help. However, I found one issue with the dedicated backlight dimmer. The Bus input voltage provided by the dimmer starts at 0.05 volts but the Garmin minimum dim value Bus Voltage value can only go as low as 0.30 volts in the settings. So if I crank the dimmer all the way counterclockwise for maximum dimming I get the opposite once the value falls below 0.30. In other words the lower output of the mechanical dimmer pot provides a way lower voltage than the Garmin can natively detect, more specifically as soon the voltage goes below 0.30 volts the GDU makes the assumption voltage has been lost and goes to full backlight for what I can only assume is a failsafe mode. So at night I will have to be careful not to turn the dimmer all the way down or I will get full backlight brightness instead of the desired eye-friendly dimming.
Maybe using a lower-sensitivity dimmer pot is more compatible with the G3X display and is friendlier to a pilot who tries to go to minimum screen brightness.
If the value is set to 0 V, the value will be ignored and the display brightness will remain at the Lighting Bus Min level for any input level between 0 V and the Min Brightness level.[/B]
Thanks,
Justin
Jim,
Lighting Bus Off Threshold–Sets the lighting bus off threshold input level. At the threshold level, the backlighting is turned on per the Lighting Bus Min setting. Below the threshold level, the backlighting defaults to using the photocell. If the value is set to 0 V, the value will be ignored and the display brightness will remain at the Lighting Bus Min level for any input level between 0 V and the Min Brightness level.
Thanks,
Justin