Anybody using Van's wiring harness?

[smittysrv]

I just starting on the electrical part. I'm confused already. They never talked about electricity in computer programming school.

[smithhb]

Smitty,
 
Do yourself a favor and buy and read Bob Nuckoll’s “Aeroelectric Connection”…
 
 
Bret Smith
RV-9A N16BL
Blue Ridge, GA
www.FlightInnovations.com
 
 
 
From: RB Lists - The Hangar [mailto:support@rivetbangers.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 21, 2010 6:48 PM
To: hangar@rivetbangers.com
Subject: Anybody using Van's wiring harness?


 
I just starting on the electrical part. I'm confused already. They never talked about electricity in computer programming school.




Smittys RV-9A
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[cjensen]

Aeroelectric helps, but it's BOOOOORING...I never finished the first three chapters, and it all worked out fine. The diagrams are a really good reference once you learn how to read them.

Not saying not to get it, definitely get it, but realize the truth in this statement...Running the first wire is the hardest part. It starts to fall in to place after that...

[hydroguy2]

Vans harness is really only suited to building per the plans....BUT The Electrical plans set is very valuable. Ditto for the drawings in the Nuckols book.

I scored copies of both from my friend and was able to design my own electrical schematic.....(remember as a electrician, I make a pretty good plumber). Then had a EE check my work and give me the A-ok to start pulling 1 wire at a time.

[RV9inIowa]

Vans harness is really only suited to building per the plans....BUT The Electrical plans set is very valuable. Ditto for the drawings in the Nuckols book.

I have the Nuckols book (and it is now available as a free download) - but I didn't know that Vans has an "Electrical Plans Set". Can you describe it? More than the single page schematic in the builder's manual?

I'd love to start electrical work - way more fun than the canopy!

[hydroguy2]

I'd love to start electrical work - way more fun than the canopy!

broken ribs are more fun that the canopy

yes the drawing set comes with a electrical schematic and several other pages. I don't recall exactly what is entailed but, can go to the shop and see what all is there if you need

[RV9inIowa]

Thanks Brian - I found these on Vans "List":

DWG OP-10 ELEC. SYS DWG 6/7/8/9 $3.00
DWG OP-11 WIRING HARN INST 8/8A $3.00
DWG OP-12 HARNESS INSTRC 6/7/9 $3.00

If these are really it, I'll just order it at some point. I was thinking of ordering all of the OP drawings that I don't have.

[hydroguy2]

While I didn't really follow any of the Vans drawings, OP-10 was real useful in figuring things out. At $3 each get them all just for the knowledge.

[BSwayze]

I have the Nuckols book (and it is now available as a free download)

It is? Where can you find it online? If you could provide the source, I'd be very grateful!

[RV9inIowa]

The link is near the bottom of this page:
http://www.matronics.com/aeroelectric/C ... b/pub.html

[BSwayze]

Got it!

Thanks, Dave!

[captain_john]

Smitty, I don't mean to hijack your thread but I was also wondering if anyone is using Marc Ausman's Vertical Power stuff.

I am at the point where I could go either way. I could install the VPX system or go traditional.

Has anyone considered using the VPX?

I am looking into it now.

CJ

[smittysrv]

Dave,

The wiring kit has a lot goodies in it. All the different lengths of the fat cables for the various ways of hooking to the battery and relays. There are many drawings showing all the RV's (that is confusing as well), all the different ways of battery placement. It has labeled wiring that coincides with the drawings. No switches though. If I decide to jump ship and just get the Vertical Power VP-50, I will take the harness apart (but keep the labels) and use it with the VP-50. There is so much variety in the instructions and drawings that you can get lost. This is understable since Van's has one kit for all applications. If could have a do-over, I would have ordered the wiring and individual drawings separately, using the VP-50 for my setup. BUT, that would require me to be physic. I have Nuckoll’s book, but you have take no-doze to read it. If the book just stuck to the facts, I would be 1/4 the size it is.

Here's a video about the VPX:

http://www.smittysrv.com/mypanel.asp

[RV9inIowa]

Thanks Smitty - I've completed my own homemade schematic for my 9A which I plan to use to wire it myself. I can buy the wire cheap (company store ) and put the connectors on. My EFIS's (EFIII?) came with harnesses and so do some other things.

I am going to get the Vans drawings anyway and use them to check againt my own drawings.

I haven't figured out how to label my wires yet, though.

The vertical powr stuff is cool, but not for me. I installed a hinged shelf under the right panel that holds automotive fuseholders. I will have a single circuit breaker in my panel (alternator field) - everything else will be on a fuse that I will replace when on the ground. I bought all my switches from B&C (except for a couple of weird ones).

I like this electrical stuff - way more fun than plexiglass!

[smittysrv]

The wiring harness also came with heat-shrink numbered labels. I'm going over the Fry's electonics to get some clear heat-shrink tubing. I'll put my label around the wire(s) and then heat shrink the clear tubing over it. That way it will be there forever.

http://www.frys.com/product/3221691?sit ... IN_RSLT_PG

[clreding]

I know it's kind of expensive but the rhino label makers support printing on heat shrink tubing as well as vinyl labels which seem indestructible. Might want to look into it. I got one of them for myself and it has been a WHOLE lot easier than making up a tiny label and then trying to wrap the label around a tiny wire and then trying to slide a piece of heat shrink tubing on...... At least for my chubby old fingers

[BSwayze]

Smitty, I don't mean to hijack your thread but I was also wondering if anyone is using Marc Ausman's Vertical Power stuff.

I am at the point where I could go either way. I could install the VPX system or go traditional.

Has anyone considered using the VPX?

I am looking into it now.

CJ

CJ,

I'm sold on the Vertical Power system after looking into it. My good friend Stephen Christopher just installed the VP-50 in his panel and I had a chance to look it over real good and ask a lot of questions. Here's a link to his site, if you care to look over his work:

http://www.schristo.com/RV7/Log/Log.html

[Spike]

I am considering the VPX. I am not sold on it yet but am considering it.

Spike

[captain_john]

Bruce,

I will check it out!

Thanks!

CJ

[RVNewsletter]

Here's all of my VP-50 stuff, including a video or two.