Fire Panel

Fire Panel - A Boeing 737-800 Homecockpit #75

The fire panel was my biggest design challenge until now. So there are so many funtions that wanted to be kept in mind during the designing and configuring of this panel. I spent so many hours in Fusion that I thought this process will stay forever.

But at the end the panel came out so nice that it doesn't need to hide itself behind products of professional manufacturers. If you want to improve the panel a little bit mor you can try out how big you can print out the locking cylinders of the handle when it is pushed in. The bigger they are, the less movement you will have. And I would change the 30mm male hex stand offs to 40mm ones to have a little bit more room behind the switches.

Used materials:

  • 3 mm transparent and white acrylic
  • 2 big momentary (ON) - OFF - (ON) switches
  • 2 big momentary ON - OFF - ON switches
  • 4 push buttons
  • 3 pull switches
  • 3 12 position rotary switches
  • 12 30 mm male hex stand offs
  • 12 30 mm female hex stand offs
  • 3 servo motor MG90s
  • LED stripes for backlighting
  • 7 orange annunciators
  • 1 red annunciator
  • 3 green 5mm LEDs
  • 9 red LEDs

In the download file you will find all the needed files to cut out and engrave your own panel as well as the 3D files for the knob and all other needed printed parts.

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10 Responses to Fire Panel

  1. jackyang says:

    I am very happy to see that you have designed so many panels for flight simulation. I plan to become a member to support you. I would like to ask if the download you provide contains 3D drawings. I sometimes modify and 3D print them according to local conditions.

    • Mickey says:

      The download only contains the resulting 2D DXF files that can be used with programs for laser cutters or cnc routers as well as the 3MF files of some printed parts that can be used in slicers for your 3D printer. I have also uploaded a video that shows how you can use the DXF files for laser cutters and 3D printers.

      • jackyang says:

        I am KARL’s Patreon. Maybe I like it. He sent me CAD and what I purchased were his 3D design drawings. Well, it seems you have everything figured out. I want to join your membership now. I like the simple way you set up the switch.

      • jackyang says:

        I wonder if you can provide a printed step format file, just like the handle of the fire panel. I have CNC equipment that can be processed into aluminum alloy, HA.

  2. Mark Fritz says:

    Hi Michael- Really enjoyed your latest video of Fire Panel. I’m not sure I understand everything. Could you include a little video-clip of how the Pull Handle mechanism actually works? The mechanism is very cleaver, but pretty complicated.

    1) The servo moves a locking arm lever (unlocking the handle)?
    2) As the fire handle is pulled up, the push-pull switch activates?
    3) Once up, the fire handle can be rotated, causing the orange lever to turn
    4) The orange lever causes the rotary to turn left or right

    Do the push-buttons beneath the Fire Handle trigger the unlocking servo?

    Thanks for all your hard work!

    • Mickey says:

      Everything you wrote is right. So you have understod the machanism. The funktion of the push button is explained in detail in the corresponding configuration video. It is part of a configuration that brings the the servo into the open position.

  3. Kacper Nowotynski says:

    Thank you for your reply. You would know better than me since you are a lot more knowledgeable when it comes to this but the board might be a better solution with a lot more connections on it with a single USB plug-in. Might be worth a look! Good luck and thank you for your hard work.

  4. Kacper Nowotynski says:

    Hi Michael, I am in process of building the pedestal and got 99% of the parts and all the panels are cut and engraved. I had a general questions about how many arduino megas are utilized in your pedestal and have you seen the loungepilot boards and whether those would possibly be a better solution? Thank you for your input!

    • Mickey says:

      I’m not familiar with these products so I can’t tell you if they are compatible. I have used three arduino megas for the whole pedestal.

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