REFLECTOR: Electrical system - basic components

Sat Jun 29 21:13:30 CDT 2013

Kurt,

Thanks for the detailed description and the links. Is your "conduit ground" a copper pipe? Or did you use something else? I like the way you have a set of essential items on a separate circuit than the master, creating a single-switch emergency configuration.

On my plane, I'm thinking that my since the Vertical Power system will serve as the bus & breakers for most of my gadgets, a simple bus like the one you linked to would be a good always-on power point. The VP system would connect to it as would a few other essential items.

Here's more information on my overall system:

I will have 2 batteries and 2 alternators, but I don't know yet if I want to run them as parallel systems with a cross-tie connector (more options in an emergency) or if I just want to have a single system with 2 batteries and one primary alternator and the other alternator running on the same circuit in standby mode (easier to implement and manage, but not full redundancy.)

I like a bunch of features of the VP-400 system, including the capacity to handle the RG system and climate control, along with the keyless starter, but I wish there were a way to get it without paying for the backup EFIS that's built into it. So I keep going back and forth on spending the $$ for the VP-400 or using the VP-X for most things and doing a separate electrical system for the seat heaters and RG pump.

I don't have any good electrical drawings yet because I'm still trying to figure out where to install the batteries, VP system, busses, and grounding terminals. I've moved the RG pump from the nose to the gear bulkhead. I re-routed my aileron cables so there are no mechanical systems on the whale tail—and since I'm doing RG, my sump isn't there, either. So I'm thinking that I'll put the batteries, VP, and main busses all in the area between the whale tail and the gear bulkhead. This will do a number of things:

1.       Eliminate all the big wire runs between the nose and the back of the plane. Everything that has high current demands (starter, RG pump, alternator) will be aft of the whale tail.

2.       Move a bunch of weight closer to the CG. I've heard that most XLs are nose-heavy, especially RGs. Plus, my seats (aftermarket automotive) are heavier than the standard ones. And extra weight up front cuts into cruise speed. So I'm thinking that if I can move 35 lbs (2 batteries, the RG pump, VP box, and all the wiring) from the nose to the aft cabin, I'll have a better chance of a good W&B. If I overshoot and end up tail-heavy, it's easy to move the batteries to the front again.

3.       Move a lot of the wiring and electrical components inside, where it's less likely to get wet when the RG wheel well is open.

So that's the plan, but I know there is always the possibility of running into unexpected consequences of changing so much stuff. So I'm going to do some trial-fitting of components before I go through the full electrical system drawing and documentation.

I've ordered the Vertical Power "blank" box—it’s the same for VP-X and -400. This way I can do a quick mock-installation of the battery, main contactor, power bus, RG control system, VP box, and grounding block. If everything fits like I think it will, I'll start diagramming all the wire runs.

Thanks for letting me talk through this with all of you! This is what makes the Reflector so great! I'm open to any other suggestions or warnings that anyone may have.

Reiff Lorenz, Dayton, OH
Velocity XL-RG, 45% complete
Currently working on: Rough ideas of what goes where.

Velocity Owners and Builders Association
http://www.VelocityOwners.com

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of nmflyer1 at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 6:38 PM
To: reflector at tvbf.org
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Electrical system - basic components

Reiff,

My setup is kind of different due to the V-6, but basic theory should be similar.
I did all the wiring myself and used the Nuckolls book as well. I have a "Conduit Ground" that runs from the nose to the engine bay down the right duct. The Starter cable runs inside of that conduit.
I purchased several Single post terminal blocks  http://madelectrical.com/catalog/cn-1.shtml   from http://madelectrical.com/
I subbed my grounds to have one forward of the canard bulkhead, one behind the bulkhead, One on the front side of the firewall. Then I made a pass thru ground for the engine stuff.

On the back/bottom panel itself, I used terminal blocks for ground consolidation, then ran that to the terminal post on the appropriate terminal block.
I also used a terminal block for consolidation of Dimmer light wires.
These are in addition to the breaker/bus system that I made for all my power requirements.

Lots of good affordable stuff from Mad, Including nice relays, instructions, quality wire and connectors. Take a look and go from there.

It took me quite a while to draw out all the power flows so that I could have a system that I liked. Currently for me, If I turn off the Elect Master, Everything in the airplane shuts down except: Ignition & fuel pump power (keep the engine running), power to the alternator (pullable breaker), Panel lights & Elect Gyros (Pullable Breakers). That way, If I get smoke, I can get to Min. Power with one switch.

Due to my setup, I have 2 batteries, each of which can power the bus and isolate the other battery. I can run on either battery, or once running, No batteries, but using the alternator, Or No alternator and either battery I want. Perhaps overkill, but after many tries, it is actually pretty simple, but important for an all elect. airship.

Have fun :)   and take lots of notes!

Kurt
-----Original Message-----
From: Reiff Lorenz <Reiff at lorenz.com<mailto:Reiff at lorenz.com>>
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org<mailto:reflector at tvbf.org>>
Sent: Sat, Jun 29, 2013 2:33 pm
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Electrical system - basic components

Chris, It's always good to check the basics! Yes I have the Nuckolls book. Read it twice. It is great on theory, but short on "buy this, put it here" recommendations. The Reflector is great for finding out what is actually working for others, or hearing stories of "tried X but it found out Y was better."

Larry, I believe the Vertical Power does eliminate the power bus for most things. There are a few, though, that will still need a connection outside of the VP. Between the starter contactor, the RG pump, and my 4 seat heaters (wife's requirement), I have more high-draw components than the VP has high-capacity circuits. (Maybe more than my alternator(s) will supply, but that's a problem for another day!) So some type of power bus (and maybe an essential bus) will be necessary. Plus, the VP doesn't handle grounding.

I'm OK on the electrical planning. Currently I'm just not sure which power/ground block to buy/make and where to mount it. What type of buses did you use? Where did you mount them?

Reiff

From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org<mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org> [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org<mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org?>] On Behalf Of Chris Barber
Sent: Saturday, June 29, 2013 1:46 PM
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Electrical system - basic components

May be too basic to mention but have you read the Aeroelectric Connection by Bob Knuckles available for download at http://www.aeroelectric.com<http://www.aeroelectric.com/> along with all sorts of other information

Chris

Sent from my iPhone 5

On Jun 29, 2013, at 11:01, "Lawrence Epstein" <ljepstein at hotmail.com<mailto:ljepstein at hotmail.com>> wrote:
If you are using the VP unit, I don't believe you need a "bus bar" or similar, as everything will have it's power lead going to the VP.

Take a look at the VP website. They have a whole section on planning your electrical system, complete with sample circuit diagrams.

Also, EAA website has a good overview (PDF) which you should read.

Larry Epstein

On Sat, Jun 29, 2013 at 11:19 AM, Brian Michalk <michalk at awpi.com<mailto:michalk at awpi.com>> wrote:
It's not hard to build your own, or you can buy something like this:

http://www.bandc.biz/groundblock48-tab.aspx

On 06/29/2013 08:55 AM, Reiff Lorenz wrote:

I'm starting work on the electrical system. I could use some recommendations on what to purchase (or how to make) these items and where you installed them:

•         Main bus
•         Main ground block
•         Firewall ground block
•         Avionics ground

I'm going to use the Vertical Power system for switching & circuit breakers so a combination bus/CB system won't be necessary. Should I just buy some copper bar and drill screw-holes in it? Is there a good, basic bus product that works well? Where did you mount it and how did you protect the power buses from accidental grounding?

Thanks!

Reiff Lorenz, Dayton, OH
Velocity XL-RG, 45% complete
Currently working on: Mounting the battery, main contactor, starter contactor, and RG control system.

Velocity Owners and Builders Association
http://www.VelocityOwners.com<http://www.velocityowners.com/>

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