Rotary pot for panel lights

[murphey]

The panel lights on the cherokee are either full bright or off. Transistors are good, which leaves the switch. On the electrical schematics, it's a rotary potentiomenter, 2.5K ohm, 5 watt. Other than full price new ($330-360) or Wentworth salvage ($150), I can't find any commercial supplier even not aviation. I can find 2.5K, 2W but not the 5W.

Anyone know of another option? From an electrical POV (not FAA), what could go wrong with the 2.5K, 10W version? The system is already on a breaker, so I'm curious why a higher power switch wouldn't work.

 

[AggieMike88]

Google Fu found this on Amazon...

Potentiometer - 100 Ohm Linear, 5 Watt, Wirewound, 24mm http://a.co/2fBcaQI

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

From an electrical POV (not FAA), what could go wrong with the 2.5K, 10W version? The system is already on a breaker, so I'm curious why a higher power switch wouldn't work.

The wattage rating for resistive devices is the based on the maximum heat it can shed - a higher rating would work fine (unless it is physically too big). Who said it won't work?

 

[murphey]

The wattage rating for resistive devices is the based on the maximum heat it can shed - a higher rating would work fine (unless it is physically too big). Who said it won't work?

No one, but I'm ignorant of hardware. I want to make sure it wouldn't be a problem.

 

[Dana]

If the original is 5W, 10W is fine, if it fits.