Glider electrics etc

On Wed, 05 Feb 2020 10:21:13 +0000, Colin Roney wrote:

I admit I am a total dummy when it comes to glider electrics and
navigation installation stuff but I am very keen to try and correct the
situation. Does anyone have any ideas for suggested reading in order to
try and understand the subject.

I'll be at the club this Saturday (AM LPA duty) if the airfield is dry
enough to be usable. We can talk then if that suits you and I can bring
my panel up as well if you'd like to look at it.

When I got my Libelle, I rebuilt its panel so that:

- The panel is easy to remove from the glider.

- It connects to the power lead from the battery via an XLR plug.
The radio-related connections to a PTT on the stick and mic +
speaker on the cockpit sidewall use small round connectors with
retaining screw rings. The antenna has a Belling-Lee flying
connector to the built-in glider antenna cable.
Lastly, I use a quick-disconnect on the pneumatics (static, TE, pitot).

- I used XLR connectors for all main power connections.

- I fitted quick-blow fuses at the battery and at the panel.

- Everything in the panel that uses power has connectors (D-9 or D-15)
so that any instrument can be removed without cutting wires or
(un)soldering.

- all interconnects and the 12v-5v converter, which powers the Medion
PNA that runs LK8000, are inside a small metal box with ferrites on
the power lead for the PNA.

- once all instruments are out, the remaining wiring can also be removed
without cutting wires or unsoldering.

- NO BARE CONTACTS visible.

The ASW-20 I used to have was a nightmare behind the panel, with all
connectors soldered onto a couple of tag strips which were not easily
removable, had no insulation whatever and were was not labelled. There
were no fuses on the panel. I learned what not to do from that and got
some better ideas, especially having an interconnection box from looking
at Alan Head's neat wiring in his glider.


--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org