Hat switch vs toggle switch for trim

[Mesteve]

Has anybody forgone the standard trim toggle switch on the center console in favor of a pair of hat switches on the sticks? Of even found a stick with a single toggle in place of the hat switch?

[jmodguy]

My trim is on the stick. Didn’t like a switch being on the console. I went with a Ray Allen G207. You will need two 12vdc double pole double throw relays capable of handling at least 7 amps (10 is standard). Part number 2T-2911-32 (M5757/32-032) are what I used. You can get them surplus for about $20 ea.
Homebuiltrovs.com/howtorelays.html will show you how to hook them up.
edit: a typical hat switch has 5 sets of contacts, up, down, left, right, and push (straight down).

[tracstarr]

I've not found the one I want yet, but I'll be looking on digikey. I plan on having trim up/down, ptt, freq switch for sure on my stick. If you use a VPX and garmin (i think it's the gea24) you can control all of these without the need for relays.

[kitfox2009]

Has anybody forgone the standard trim toggle switch on the center console in favor of a pair of hat switches on the sticks? Of even found a stick with a single toggle in place of the hat switch?

I would be careful using a toggle switch in place of the standard one supplied by KF. It is very easy to get it caught on your clothing (especially in winter) and have the switch toggle over. Happened to me shortly after receiving my pre-built Vixen and I burned out the jackscrew motor.
Cheers
Don

[Mesteve]

Correct, I should have called it a rocker switch, not toggle...

[aviator79]

I have Ray Allen G405 stick grips. They don't use a hat switch, but rather have four independent buttons, which gives you some flexibility. The fore/aft buttons on my sticks are elevator trim. I also have an autopilot CWS/disconnect button. The trigger is PTT. The fourth top button has no function right now. I pretend it's missiles.

I flew Stick and Rudder's Kitfoxes with the rocker switch on the console. It really wasn't that cumbersome, but I do like it much better with the trim on the stick (HOTAS). The AFS Advanced Control Module (and maybe the VPX) will manage the trim without additional relays, including runaway protection and left-seat priority.

[Frontier Fox]

Brian
Did you put the Ray Allen G405 on both sides? Does the trim work on just the left or is it wired for both sides?
I picked up my panel from AFS on Monday so I am trying to decide what grips to use and if I want to put the trim on the grip or console.
Thanks

[aviator79]

G405 on both sides, with identical functions. The trim works from both sides. If both sticks actuate trim simultaneously, the left gets priority. I'm not sure of the priority is software-configurable or not.

[Frontier Fox]

Thank you for the reply. I checked my schematics today and see how it all comes together. The ACM must control the priority, lots of magic happening in there:D