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-   -   Wire Labeling (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=165335)

sf3543 10-25-2018 04:39 PM

When doing wiring, the first thing I do is create the schematic with a labeling scheme.
During actual installation, I use yellow heat shrink and a fine line sharpie. Just write directly on the heat shrink and just shrink it onto each end of the wire run.
If it?s a particularly hostile spot, I sometimes shrink clear over the yellow.
The writing shrinks along with the wrap but remains easy to read.
It?s easy, fast and cheap.

DRMA 10-25-2018 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iluke (Post 1297922)
Dave-

Is that powerpoint format something you could share? -Ivan Luke

Ivan,

I'm happy to share but I don't have an easy way to post my files right now. My files are also a work in progress and so not yet complete.

However, there was another RV-10 builder who attended this same AEA class who has done an excellent job of explaining the process. Check out his posts on VAF at http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&highlight=ppt

Also Tim Spear posted a copy of Leok's ppt file on his web server for folks to download. Look at the last post on this page for a link to the ppt file: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...pt#post1195513

If after you have read his postings you still want a copy of my working file, send me your email address via private message on this board and I will email you a copy of my file.

Using PowerPoint does take some practice to do efficiently. There are tools for grouping, aligning, rotating, etc. that work well. I've been using PowerPoint since about 1994, and so it has become an easy tool for me to use. If there are other tools (CADD, drawing programs, etc.) that your are comfortable using, they might be a better choice.

Cheers,

Av8torTom 11-05-2018 05:02 PM

This works great
 
Thanks for all your input. I bought a Dymo LabelManager 160 for 20 bucks on Amazon, and 1/4? heat shrink label tubes. I was concerned that the 1/4? tubes would be too big for 20 gauge wire but it works perfectly.




RV10Pilot 11-05-2018 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Av8torTom (Post 1300555)
Thanks for all your input. I bought a Dymo LabelManager 160 for 20 bucks on Amazon, and 1/4” heat shrink label tubes. I was concerned that the 1/4” tubes would be too big for 20 gauge wire but it works perfectly.

What heat shrink label tubes did you buy? The $20 LabelManager is not supposed to be able to print on heat shrink, but obviously that is not true.

Av8torTom 11-05-2018 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV10Pilot (Post 1300572)
What heat shrink label tubes did you buy? The $20 LabelManager is not supposed to be able to print on heat shrink, but obviously that is not true.

The part number is A18051. I purchased a generic three pack (5'/pack) for $22

RWoodard 11-05-2018 06:43 PM

Has anyone been able to find printable tubing in something smaller than 1/4?? Most all of the wiring I plan to install is 22 gauge.

I think I?ve found one printer for nearly $300 that has something less than 1/4? tubing available, but the tubing is something like $40 for a 3 foot length.

I?ve used laser printer labels with clear heatshrink in the past, but I really like the look of the printed heatshrink.

Thanks in advance!

Av8torTom 11-05-2018 06:48 PM

Rod,

The 1/4" tubing will do 22 gauge wire. I'm amazed at how much it will shrink.

Here's how it looks... sorry about the spelling :D


RV7A Flyer 11-05-2018 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Av8torTom (Post 1300582)
Rod,

The 1/4" tubing will do 22 gauge wire. I'm amazed at how much it will shrink.

Here's how it looks... sorry about the spelling :D


Better redo that one. It's misspelled :)

JK!

Walt 11-05-2018 07:56 PM

I use the K-Sun with 1/8" (3mm tube).

RWoodard 11-05-2018 08:41 PM

Thanks!

K-sun is the brand I found that seemed quite expensive. Any advice on a reasonably priced source? Or am I going to have to find the pry bar for my wallet again? :-)

I’m just airline pilot cheap!

UPDATE in the middle of the night...

I ordered the Epson LW-PX900. It prints at 360dpi and accepts shrink tube cartridges ranging from 1/8” to 1”. I found the best price at an online place called Image Supply. I ordered 1/8, 3/16, and 3/8” black on white tubing. My thought was 22/24 gauge wire, multi-wire shielded, and RG400 in selecting the shrinktube sizes. I’ll report back with pics and a PIREP.

The total for my order was right around $375. OCD costs money! Gots to have a tidy wiring harness. Pahan would be proud... right Pahan?

rocketman1988 11-06-2018 05:12 AM

Printer
 
You won?t be disappointed with that printer. I have had one for awhile and love it. I went with black type on yellow tubing for visibility...

Walt 11-06-2018 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Av8torTom (Post 1300555)
Thanks for all your input. I bought a Dymo LabelManager 160 for 20 bucks on Amazon, and 1/4? heat shrink label tubes. I was concerned that the 1/4? tubes would be too big for 20 gauge wire but it works perfectly.


Not trying to be critical here, but I would suggest you look at a better quality switch that is not riveted and switch to AMP PIDG terminals.

GatorJim 11-06-2018 06:22 AM

Switch recommendations?

Walt 11-06-2018 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJim (Post 1300648)
Switch recommendations?

I use Honeywell TL series exclusively.

Av8torTom 11-06-2018 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt (Post 1300639)
Not trying to be critical here, but I would suggest you look at a better quality switch that is not riveted and switch to AMP PIDG terminals.

Thanks Walt - I'm always open for direction. I got the switches from SteinAir.
I'll look into the AMP PIDG terminals

Mark33 11-06-2018 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJim (Post 1300648)
Switch recommendations?

What Walt said. The TL switches are little bit expensive, but I think they?re the best money can buy.

Mark

Mark33 11-06-2018 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWoodard (Post 1300610)
Thanks!

K-sun is the brand I found that seemed quite expensive. Any advice on a reasonably priced source? Or am I going to have to find the pry bar for my wallet again? :-)

I?m just airline pilot cheap!

UPDATE in the middle of the night...

I ordered the Epson LW-PX900. It prints at 360dpi and accepts shrink tube cartridges ranging from 1/8? to 1?. I found the best price at an online place called Image Supply. I ordered 1/8, 3/16, and 3/8? black on white tubing. My thought was 22/24 gauge wire, multi-wire shielded, and RG400 in selecting the shrinktube sizes. I?ll report back with pics and a PIREP.

The total for my order was right around $375. OCD costs money! Gots to have a tidy wiring harness. Pahan would be proud... right Pahan?

I looked that printer up on line and it looks like the price varies from about $275-375. I?m assuming that you bought the entire ?kit? for $375? Did you feel like you needed everything in the kit to be able to do the job? I?ve also been shopping around for a printer and really didn?t know which one to go with, so this is good information.

Mark

rocketman1988 11-06-2018 09:15 AM

check out...
 
Check out Hawklabeling.com...

They have been wonderful to work with...

RWoodard 11-06-2018 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark33 (Post 1300693)
I looked that printer up on line and it looks like the price varies from about $275-375. I?m assuming that you bought the entire ?kit? for $375? Did you feel like you needed everything in the kit to be able to do the job? I?ve also been shopping around for a printer and really didn?t know which one to go with, so this is good information.

Mark

I didn?t order the whole kit. The printer itself was $289 and each of the 3 heatshrink cassettes was about $32. They then gave me a $10 discount and free shipping.

The $100 kit comes with an overpriced hard case, a rechargeable battery and an AC adapter. I?m pretty sure I?ve got a compatible AC adapter in one of my junk drawers and I can buy a pluck-the-foam case for <$20.

Now that I?ve gathered a bunch of electrical tools, I need to start drawing my wiring diagrams. I?ve done a fair bit of wiring in the past, but I gotta admit, the G3x system has me plenty intimidated. One wire at a time, I guess! Challenge accepted.

JonJay 11-06-2018 02:41 PM

Talk to Stien before you throw away your switches. He may have a different opinion and has probably installed and serviced more switches than much of VAF combined. He isn't known for selling junk.

If you want to compare specs, certifications, operating environment, etc.... probably need to start a new post.

Av8torTom 11-06-2018 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonJay (Post 1300774)
Talk to Stien before you throw away your switches. He may have a different opinion and has probably installed and serviced more switches than much of VAF combined. He isn't known for selling junk.

If you want to compare specs, certifications, operating environment, etc.... probably need to start a new post.

Oh I have NO intention of throwing away my switches. :D

Walt 11-06-2018 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonJay (Post 1300774)
Talk to Stien before you throw away your switches. He may have a different opinion and has probably installed and serviced more switches than much of VAF combined. He isn't known for selling junk.

If you want to compare specs, certifications, operating environment, etc.... probably need to start a new post.

I guarantee you Stein is well aware of the difference in quality between Carling and Honeywell...
but not everyone wants to pay for quality so he offers an alternative and lets the buyer choose, thats ok.

JonJay 11-06-2018 06:06 PM

Fair enough Walt. You where asked for your opinion. Nothing wrong with that.

SteinAir 11-13-2018 09:38 AM

Walt is 100% spot on here with his note about those specific switches. We'll gladly sell you whatever you like, but if we only offered the Mil Spec hardware we'd be out of business. Some folks like them and will pay for them, most will not - that's just a fact of life for us (good or bad). As others noted, that discussion is for another thread (and indeed has been beat to death and beyond in the archives).

Regarding labeling, we prefer machine printed shrink tubing..but that isn't an affordable option for many folks. That is why we sell clear heatshrink tubing, as many folks like the "label under the clear tubing" method. Others will use white shrink tubing and just handwrite on it with a fine tip sharpie (which is what one of the "big box stores" does on it's own harnesses). I've seen people use things as simple as tape up to printed labels and even laser engraved options.

The happy medium and most popular from our customer base seems to be clear shrink tubing with labels under, or white tubing with handwritten labels. Then from that point on almost anything goes!

Just my 2 cents as usual.

Cheers,
Stein

Av8torTom 11-14-2018 07:38 AM

I started this thread because I was seeking input on people's experience with various methods of labeling wires (thank you all), and then I updated it in post #44 with what I found to work very well for a very economical cost ($20). I'll reiterate the Dymo Label Manager 160 has been working magnificently using 1/4" heat shrink tubing ($22 for 3 x 5' of tube) on wire gauges ranging from #8 to #22. I couldn't be more pleased with the results.

mfleming 11-16-2018 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Av8torTom (Post 1300555)
Thanks for all your input. I bought a Dymo LabelManager 160 for 20 bucks on Amazon, and 1/4? heat shrink label tubes. I was concerned that the 1/4? tubes would be too big for 20 gauge wire but it works perfectly.




I thought Av8torTom's idea was great...using the heat shrink tubing labels in an inexpensive label maker.

I decided to expand on this idea.


So I already had this particular Dymo label maker so I thought I would see if the ?" shrink tube labels would really work in this label maker.

They do :D

While I was rooting around on Amazon looking for the heat shrink tube labels, I had the idea of buying some colored heat shrink tubes as well.

Here's the system I'm going with:


Positioned but not shrunk yet.



All shrunk up.... Labeled and color coded in one easy step.


Here's a link to the colored heat shrink tubes.

Here's a link to the heat shrink tube labels that work in the above label maker.

David Paule 07-13-2019 06:35 PM

The 1/4" tube may be fine for one or just a few wires, but it's way too narrow for a Dynon network cable. I have 12 mm and 9 mm on order and one of those should work ok.

Dave

rv7charlie 07-13-2019 07:43 PM

Tom, Michael,

Any idea what the largest diameter heat shrink that model 160 printer will take? Dymo's data says '1/2" labels', but obviously, a 1/2" heat shrink tube will be wider than that, when collapsed.

BTW, thanks for the info on using pre-cut tubes. My old tape label-er wastes more tape than the label occupies, if you only print one label at a time.

Charlie


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