Wiring

I'm considering installing a climb/cruise switch, gear warning, and
spoiler warning sensors (all driven by a C302). I've not done any
wiring on gliders before - is there a specific grade of wire that
should be used? And what gauge is typically used for this sort of
thing?

Thanks,
John

On Jul 3, 6:37*am, John wrote:
I'm considering installing a climb/cruise switch, gear warning, and
spoiler warning sensors (all driven by a C302). *I've not done any
wiring on gliders before - is there a specific grade of wire that
should be used? *And what gauge is typically used for this sort of
thing?

Thanks,
John

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/el/wire.html
22 ga. seems most common for signals, 18 ga. or larger for power
distribution.

On Jul 3, 7:37*am, John wrote:
I'm considering installing a climb/cruise switch, gear warning, and
spoiler warning sensors (all driven by a C302). *I've not done any
wiring on gliders before - is there a specific grade of wire that
should be used? *And what gauge is typically used for this sort of
thing?

Thanks,
John

John,

http://www.craggyaero.com/electrical.htm

Richard
www.craggyaero.com

Without a doubt you need to use Mil-Spec Tefzel wiring in all
aircraft. It isn't all the expensive and required as far as I
know.
The jacket is tough so that is isn't easily abraded causing
sparks
and fire. If there is a fire the jacket resists burning and
doesn't
emit toxic fumes.

For all of these low current applications that you mention,
anything
from 22-26 and smaller gauge will work - the smaller the better to
a
point). Look for multiconductor to save yourself some additional
wiring. Below are some sources. You don't need shielded in a
non-
motorized glider IMHO. No ignition system!

http://wingsandwheels.com/page5.htm smallest is 22gauge
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...es/wc2wire.php 5
conductor 26 gauge
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/el/wire.html smallest 24
gauge
(I don't think that http://cumulus-soaring.com carries Tefzel wire
as
yet)

Lastly, as to gear/spoiler warning you need to make sure that you
are
not interfering with the regular operation of the glider with
switches/
wiring and need to be very careful if you are planning on drilling
any
holes. General, most gear warning systems that I see use
mechanical
micro-switches (http://cumulus-soaring.com/misc/switch-
lever-1.jpg).
These have to rub against something to be activated (where
exactly?)
which can lead to wear where you don't want it. I prefer magnetic
reed switches (http://cumulus-soaring.com/hamlin.htm) which don't
have
any wear points as they don't rub against anything. When a magnet
gets next to the reed, a "switch" is closed or opened (depending
on
how you have it wired). You tape or glue (I prefer non-permanent
solutions) the magnet to the airbrake and gear mechanism somewhere
(trial and error part) and glue the "switch" to an adjacent
surface.
Easy.

Full disclosu For standard airworthiness aircraft you need
someone
official to sign off on this mod. As I understand it, if you
didn't
build 50% of your experimental aircraft, I think that you also
have
to have have someone sign off. My $0.02. Stay safe.

- John DeRosa "67R"

For what it's worth, the accident experience in the UK suggests that
much more expensive accidents, including some injuries, have happened
as a result of gear warnings going off and causing the pilot to start
pulling levers, and losing pitch control, at low level, rather than
the relatively minor damage of landing with the undercarriage up.

Somebody else thought of, and I adopted, a much simpler and cheaper
arrangement than electric audible warning. I have a sticky label which
I put on the vario face. If it is still there when I come off tow and
start soaring, I have forgotten to raise the undercarriage. I then put
it on the air brake/spoiler lever.

If it is still on the air brake/spoiler lever when I come into land, I
have forgotten to lower the undercarriage.

So far, whenever I have remembered to use it, it has worked.

Chris N

On Jul 3, 8:01*pm, ContestID67 wrote:
Without a doubt you need to use Mil-Spec Tefzel wiring in all
aircraft.

Why don't you take your crusade to the manufacturers themselves. As
long as they build an certify gliders with PVC insulated wiring you
will have a hard time convincing end users that tefzel is required
*without a doubt*.

Andy

You don't need to use mil-spec wire. More importantly, you do need
good soldering skills.. Most people who think they can solder really
don't know how. Get some help if you have never worked with small
guage wire.

On Jul 4, 2:59*am, Chris Nicholas wrote:
For what it's worth, the accident experience in the UK suggests that
much more expensive accidents, including some injuries, have happened
as a result of gear warnings going off and causing the pilot to start
pulling levers, and losing pitch control, at low level, rather than
the relatively minor damage of landing with the undercarriage up.

Of course, this should also apply to retractable gear airplanes which
all have electronic gear warning systems. I think there is no such
accident record there.

If a pilot becomes so distracted by a gear warning system he crashes,
any other distraction would do the same. Clearly, the problem isn't
the gear warning, it's the pilot's reaction to it which suggests
extremely poor training.

You don't need "good soldering skills", if you use crimp on
connectors, which are preferred over solder joints.

Consider a seperate power source (9 V battery) for your gear warning.

More on wiring he

http://www.matronics.com/aeroelectric/Downloads.html

Of course, this should also apply to retractable gear airplanes which
all have electronic gear warning systems.


Gear warnings are not always 100% effective:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-K4QHpVXtxI