Vans Pre-Built Wiring Loom

RobDob · Post by **RobDob** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:18 am

Hi all

Slow progress with my machine BUT.............does anyone have any experience with the Vans wiring loom? Tempted to buy it but am curious to know if it's worth getting it shipped all the way to Blighty or not? Does anyone have any experience with the pre-built loom?

Thanks guys

Rob

Post by **Spike** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:22 am

I don't have any direct experience, but from what I have heard from others it locks you pretty tightly into their concept of electrical system & equipment. You should look at what you plan on installing in the plane and checking the suitability of their looms.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:30 am

Like Spike said...if you are using anything other than what the pre-made loom is built for, you'll just end up hacking it up, and changing almost everything. Rob Johnson (rob on here) bought it, and didn't use it because it was too specific.

I was talked out of buying it by him, and I'm glad I rolled my own.

RobDob · Post by **RobDob** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 9:38 am

Damn, I was hoping it would be a nice quick fix for the wiring!

Any idea's on what it is aimed at fitting exactly? I'm going to be going for a pretty straightforward panel now (due disappearing budget!) with all 'clockwork' gauges & standard radio fit.

If the loom would fit that kind of set up then I might be persuaded.

All that elec-trickery frightens me!!!!

Thanks for the input so far guys.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 3:34 pm

I agree with all that has been said above. The Vans harness is too specific. It is ok to buy if you want to have a little bit of everything, take it apart and use it piece by piece as needed. Other than that, I wouldn't buy it at all.

Go a-la-carte and settle in on a Z diagram from Nuckolls and order stuff from B and C.

That's what I am doing.

CJ

rob · Post by **rob** » Mon Nov 02, 2009 6:36 pm

Chad is right on...the Van's harness sucks out loud for anything other than their pre-punched panel and all it encompasses. I omitted some things from the FWF kit, but forgot to eliminate the harness. I ended up cutting some of the wires out of it to use while waiting for bigger B&C orders to arrive.

You can't go wrong doing it yourself following the AEC book. It seems like the hardest part is running the first wire -- once that is done, it is all downhill and fairly easy.

RobDob · Post by **RobDob** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:28 am

Thanks alot Guys; I know absolutely ZERO about electrical stuff but I'll give it a go! Luckily it'll be a fairly simple panel!

I might delay the job and slowly buy all the avionics/instruments bit-by-bit first though!!

Cheers all

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:13 am

For what it's worth, I have an 8 with a rear battery install and decided to get the wire kit from Van's. Figured it would be easier to use it as a starting point, and alter it as needed.

Worked ok for me, but I did omit certain items from it (master and starter contactors, fuse and grounds) and got that stuff from B&C too!

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Wed Nov 04, 2009 8:33 pm

We wired my airplane without a kit. We purchased a fair amount of wire some terminal ends and then started out. As I have said before I had a retired telephone guy help me. We ended up ordering some more wire and terminals but it sure didn't cost what the firewall forward kit was. I found that Wicks Aircraft was very good to deal with and would ship via U.S. Mail. I live in Minnesota and from the their St. Loius place I usually got parts in three days. There prices were competive and they didn't insit on UP or Fed EX which saved me a lot in shipping charges!

RobDob · Post by **RobDob** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 3:16 am

Great stuff; thanks all. I think I'll rope in someone who has a little elec-trickery experience & build my own!