Wiring ABC's

A place to discuss the design & installation of electrical systems.
Post Reply
User avatar
bruceh
Class D
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:11 pm
Location: Ramona, CA
Contact:

Wiring ABC's

Post by bruceh »

Which is the best way to wire up your airplane:

A) Start at the panel and work your way out toward to all of the electronic components?

or

B) Wire up each component and bring the wires towards the panel?

or

C) does this really matter?
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

User avatar
bullojm1
Chief Rivet Banger
Posts: 1357
Joined: Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:37 pm
Location: KDMW
Contact:

Post by bullojm1 »

Bruce,

The method I used was first to wire the master relay and all of the buses. I would consider this the "foundation" of wiring. Check that all of the buses work with the proper switch throws and possible failures. I ended up with 5 busses - Battery Bus (always hot), main bus (hot with master on), E-Bus (See the AeroElectric Connection if you don't know what this is), Avionics Bus and a Backup Battery Bus.

Once this was done, I wired up one component at a time and then tested it. Once the bugs were worked out, I would move onto the next item to wire.

I found wiring to be quite fun and it was quick to do -- in a 4-5 hour work session I could get multiple electric devices working. It was very rewarding!

Good Luck,
Mike Bullock
http://www.rvplane.com
RV-7 | Superior IO-360 | Whirlwind 200RV
Garmin GTN650 | GRT Dual Sport SX EFIS
Status: FLYING!

User avatar
bruceh
Class D
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:11 pm
Location: Ramona, CA
Contact:

Post by bruceh »

I'm using the Vertical Power VP-X. The wiring for that is pretty straightforward. My panel is not yet cut or completed figured out and a majority of the wires seem to end up there (Dynon Skyview, COMM, switches, etc.).

I want to get the stuff in the rear fuselage/tail section wired up before I rivet on the rear top skins, so I guess that is where I should start.
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

User avatar
bruceh
Class D
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:11 pm
Location: Ramona, CA
Contact:

Post by bruceh »

Just an update. I've been slowly plugging away at the wiring. Man, this is slow and tedious.

As of now I have everything back of the baggage panel wired up (except the final connections on the tail for lighting and trim). Time to start tying down all of the wires into nice bundles. Still need to get some antennas installed for the COMM and XPNDR.

Looks like the next step is to start cutting holes in the panel.
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Re: Wiring ABC's

Post by captain_john »

bruceh wrote:Which is the best way to wire up your airplane?
Hmmm, I will let you know when I am done! hahaha

Bruce, I (like Mike) started with the contactors and battery box.

Image

I just installed the G3i modules.

Image

I plan on doing some wiring within the next week. I just ordered an ACS ignition switch and will soon connect it to the G3i. I also have my fuse block to locate.

Seems like that is where you and I will deviate our designs! You are planning Marc's Vertical Power and I am going fuses! hahaha Can't get much more different than that!

:lol:

Anyhow, from here on out I will probably install a circuit and then test it. Repeating this process one at a time until everything works, like Mike did is the plan!

I will be following the Z-13 diagram for the most part. I won't have an E-Bus or an avionics switch, though.

Bruce, do you have your engine yet?

8) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
bruceh
Class D
Posts: 393
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:11 pm
Location: Ramona, CA
Contact:

Re: Wiring ABC's

Post by bruceh »

captain_john wrote: Bruce, do you have your engine yet?
8) CJ
Not yet! My wife informs me that we are going to vacation in Europe this summer with our 3 kids (all graduating from school - college, jr. college and high school), since this might be our last "family" vacation. (I suggested Oshkosh) :)

There go the engine funds.

Anyone have a good lead on an IO-320/340/360? Still need to make some decisions there. Leaning towards the ECI kit engine with Airflow Performance FI and dual P-mags.

Got a few more things wired up this weekend. Still need a COMM and antennas, then I can get the rear fuselage top skins on for good. Then finish the canopy work.
Bruce Hill
RV-9A N5771H flying over 1100 hours!
Build Log at http://www.overthehills.com/RV-9A-Project
Blog at https://flyingoverthehills.wordpress.com/
EAA Tech Counselor, A&P

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Cool! We shall plan on seeing you at the Black Otter then!?!

Engine prices are going up (or perhaps have already) in the SEVERAL THOUSAND dollar range! If you can, I would suggest shopping around and buying something now. I am glad that I pulled the trigger when I did.

For antennas, I would suggest the Comant CI 122's mounted on the belly. Machineman just reported to me that he has had NO problems communicating on at all in his newly hatched -7. That made me pretty happy as that is what I have here on my -7.

Look into Thomas' G3i electronic ignition system. I am really impressed with it. It should fill the bill quite nicely.

See you soon, I am sure!

:) CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
BSwayze
Class C
Posts: 581
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:15 am
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact:

Re: Wiring ABC's

Post by BSwayze »

captain_john wrote:
I just installed the G3i modules.

Image
Hey CJ,

Could you please explain, in simple english for us electronic dummies, what those red and black boxes are for? I don't think I've seen 'em before. Thanks! :)
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Bruce,

Those boxes "wake up" my Slick mags and make them a pair of electronic ignition mags.

If I lose electrons, they revert to standard mag functionality.

How is that for layman terms?

:wink: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

User avatar
leffler
Class E
Posts: 188
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2009 10:31 pm
Location: KDLZ
Contact:

Post by leffler »

captain_john wrote:Bruce,

Those boxes "wake up" my Slick mags and make them a pair of electronic ignition mags.

If I lose electrons, they revert to standard mag functionality.

How is that for layman terms?

:wink: CJ
Or, they just make the engine go better? 8)

Or they restrict Lycoming's wonderful method of turning cash into noise? :o

btw, mine are almost in the exact same orientation on my RV-10, excep ton the cabin side of the firewall.

bob
Bob Leffler
RV-10 - Flying
http://mykitlog.com/rleffler

User avatar
BSwayze
Class C
Posts: 581
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:15 am
Location: Portland, Oregon
Contact:

Post by BSwayze »

Thanks, CJ! Yes, that explains it perfectly. I'll have to do some reading and learn more about this. Hadn't heard of them before. :)
Bruce Swayze
Portland, Oregon
http://www.BrucesRV7A.com
RV-7A Working on Firewall Forward

User avatar
captain_john
Sparky
Posts: 5880
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
Location: KPYM

Post by captain_john »

Thomas Owns the company. He is on this forum from time to time.

Great guy!

:mrgreen: CJ
RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!

Post Reply