Removing Monitor Cases

I searched You Tube for disassembly videos on my two monitors:

For the 19in Acer monitor: Disassembly Video

For the 15in Acer monitor: Disassembly Video

It's easy to remove the cases, lay the monitor face down on a towel on a flat surface. Use a couple of screwdrivers to split open the casing - the bezel and back are two pieces.

So here are the two monitors with the plastic cases removed, which saved 10-20mm on the width. They fit correctly behind the panels with a little clearance each side. I just need to move the wooden uprights, the temporary prototype is screwed together and easily changed.

Now I know the sizes of the monitor's internal cases I can finally design the wooden frame for my cockpit. Remember I'm trying to make it a desktop, that can also be placed on a realistic lower frame.

Here is a rear picture of the 19in monitor. All monitors have a metal casing for strength and to reduce radio interference - there are plenty of holes to fit brackets to support the monitor in the cockpit. Also the stand attaches with 4 bolts so that is a strong mounting point. The 19in monitor supports a VESA mounting bracket. With the plastic cases removed the monitors can fit flush behind a panel.

Testing Engine and Backup panels with Acer AL1511 display - £25 on Ebay

Quite a few "square" 5:4 aspect ratio monitors on available on Ebay. The Acer AL1511 just provides about 5mm more width than is necessary for the Engine and backup Instruments.

This picture is from the PMDG 737 NGX simulation running inside FSX with my CockpitSimParts central panel roughly aligned in front of the monitor. 

Hopefully when the plastic case is removed it will not interfere with the monitor for the PFD and ND on the left or the Landing Gear movement on the right.

Testing PFD and ND displays on an Acer AL1916W monitor - £25 on Ebay

The Acer AL1916W just provides the 405 mm display width needed for the exact replica of a Boeing PFD (Primary Flight Display) and ND (Navigation Display) panels.

For the Engine and Backup instruments I bought an Acer AL1511 15in monitor also for £25. With the old "square" 5:4 aspect ratio they are plentiful on Ebay with just the right width.

Constructing the Frame 1

I'm building the Captain's Side using the excellent CockpitSimParts.co.uk engraved panels. The frame will be lightweight so that is can be used on a table top, or placed on a replica of the entire cockpit. I build boats and 6mm plywood is sufficient - a monocoque structure was used by my Granddad at the Gloster Aircraft Company in the 1930s, so it's good enough for me. No more heavy MDF!

Here is the start. A base of 6mm plywood, some stringers cut at 15 degrees with my very useful Evolution Rage 3S chopsaw and the frames for the panels.