REFLECTOR: Wayne Lanza's reply to comments RE: Composite Design
Power Panels
Cary Bettenhausen
cbhausen at comcast.net
Wed Jan 19 11:31:24 CST 2005
Wayne Lanza has asked me to post this reply to comments and critiques of his
products as seen on the reflector lately. (He currently does not have access
to post messages here.) Please direct any correspondence or replies
directly to Wayne's e-mail address which appears herein. Please do not
direct replies to the Velocity factory; those folks have enough on their
plates as it is.
Cary Bettenhausen
Regarding the comments about the power panels that I manufacture, I would
like
to make the following comments.
Item #1:
_______________________________________________________________
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 2005 18:32:50 -0500 (EST)
From: "Scott Derrick" <scott at tnstaafl.net>
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Power Panel
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Message-ID: <1355.192.153.24.95.1105572770.squirrel at 192.153.24.95>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1
1.) The access to the panel is from above, the panel is made to be mounted
at the bottom of the instrument panel, which puts most of it innacessable
after everything is installed for trouble shooting or adding or removing
equipment. Access should be from below for the most common items like
connecters.
Reply to #1- The panel was designed to be accessed from above with a short
service loop in the wiring. This allows access to all wiring by removing a
few
screws and sliding the panel out in front of you. Crawling under the panel
is
a ridiculous way to get to anything...
2.) There are 50+- unlabeled individual connectors. A nightmare to
troubleshoot. They should be indivually labeled on the panel, or there
should be a few cables with multi-plugs for you to tie into. The plugs
can be labeled and a pin-out provided for easy locating and access to
individual lines.
Reply to #2- The only terminals that you connect to are on the two 16 point
terminal strips (all clearly marked), the master switch and spare breaker.
I used screw terminals to simplify connections. For most builders the
crimping
and building of multiconductor connectors is a challenge and a weak point in
the wiring. You can see and feel the security of a screw terminal plus the
fact
that a pin connector would have to be large to handle some of the high
current
circuits.
3.) The breakers are the non-switch type. Stupid!!! I want to be able
to isolate individual items on the buss, using breaker-switches is the
ideal way in my opinion. Don't get non-switch breakers.
Reply to #3- I used the non switchable breakers for two reasons. One was to
get the most bang for the buck into the product, the same panel with pull
type
breakers would be physically larger and cost twice as much. Reason #2 was
that if you look at how the panel is typically used, all but a few breakers
are
either on switched circuits or are connected to things that have switches
like
avionics and trim motors. STUPID is a remark of opinion here, not
expertise...
4.) Use lighted engraved switches, or some way to illuminate the panel.
The power panel is a big black hole at night and even with a flash light,
because of the type of ink used for labeling, its hard to find the right
switch.
Reply to #4- I would gladly use engraved, lighted switches and lettering but
again it would drive up the cost and for what? Many have used simple panel
illuminators to see the switches and fly at night just fine.
Item #2
_________________________________________________________________
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2005 08:45:00 -0700
From: Scott Derrick <scott at tnstaafl.net>
Subject: RE: REFLECTOR: Power Panel
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
When I listed the deficiencies in my Factory panel, I was talking about
Lanza's.
He's on the list so could address them if he chooses to.
Scott
_________________________________________________________________
Yes I have addressed the above issues and would like to add this- In the
past
12 years we have delivered over 2,000 power panels. I have never had a
system
failure of any type and have never made any enemies due to quality or
service.
My systems are well designed, rugged and meant to provide the best function
for the money. I use components from US manufacturers with documented specs.
I welcome constructive critiques and appreciate the opportunities to work
with my
customers and their installers or avionics shops. What I don't appreciate is
getting
a load of (what I perceive to be) crap about my stuff from parties that
haven't been
there and done that. Derrick likes to flame people at will, I am not as
thick skinned
and prefer reserve. It is easy to criticize especially via email when you
don't know
the facts. With their inappropriate, rude and ignorant comments it would
seem that
the flamers are raving idiots but without knowing the facts who are we to
criticize...
I don't assume to be a know it all but am happy to assist with questions or
find some
one else that can help. Over the past years I have helped with scores of
problems
both from afar and hands on. I am still a contractor at Velocity and
maintain my
business and aircraft at Sebastian. I can be difficult to reach as we are
scattered in
many hangars due to hurricane damage but you can leave a message at
Velocity.
We don't have phones in all of the hangars & I don't give out my cell number
(sorry),
but am in and out of the office to take my messages.
By the way, I am not on the list any more but do monitor it from time to
time. If you
have any questions or would like to make any (mature) comments please email
me at- wlanza at bellsouth.net. Sandy & I have recently moved to a new home,
please note the new contact information for the home office. We are still
digging
out from the storms and hope to back to normal by summer.
Fly Safe,
Wayne Lanza
Composite Design, Inc.
3980 Miller Lane
Malabar, FL 32950
(321) 956-6619 voice & fax
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