master switch / alternator switch
 

First, let me say I am very grateful to this site and forum...especially for the questions, advice and education I have gained from it.

I am currently working on my panel and wiring. I have a question on the master switch. From my reading of bob nuckolls I believe I need a 2-3. I am trying to confirm this and how to wire this up. I have the PP alternator. Do I run the field wire from the PP alt to the master switch?

My initial thinking is to use a separate switch for the alt and master, just a simple on/off switch for each. I suppose on the master switch one wire would go to the main bus and the other to the battery contactor. Again, I have reading and studying the nuckolls book but all his diagrams show the b/c alternator/regulator....so my wiring diagram would be a little different with the pp alt internally regulated.
please advise.

Ryan,

I wired mine with an On-On-On switch. The full left throw is Off, middle Battery and right Battery / Alternator. If I remember correctly the switch is S700-2-10 from B and C.

Randy Pflanzer has a great schematic showing that switch as master here:

http://www.pflanzer-aviation.com/PDF%20Files/Power.pdf

Many ways to skin a cat. I have two simple on-off toggles, one for the battery and one for the alt field. With the PP alternator, you can also add an alternator out light (no switch needed) or not if you choose.

Greg

What Greg said. I like simple.

One simple toggle switch for the master. One 5a breaker for the alternator field, which is placed above the master switch.

Like Greg and Drill and Buck.

OK..Thanks... I like simple too. I will go with off/on switches one for the master and one the alt field. Still not clear on the wiring of the Master on/off switch. don't I need a wire from the switch to battery contractor and another wire to the main bus fuse block? right?

The MASTER switch should complete a ground to close the master solenoid. And all you really need for the PP alternator is a 5A pull type breaker and no switch.

Typical master solenoid has only one small terminal. Goes through your switch seeking ground. The positive for the solenoid coil is connected internally. If you have a 4 pole master a small jumper goes from one small terminal to the big terminal on the battery side. Then the other goes through switch to ground. That means that if your switch wires ever short to ground you won't make fire. It just turns the master on.

Maybe this will help. Copied/snipped/modified from the Aeroelectric Z11 diagram.



The switch is 3 position double pole double throw. The terminals are numbered; they correspond to the numbers on the diagram. It's helpful to have a volt/ohm meter when you are doing this stuff, so you can verify circuits.

Note that I'm not recommending this design over any other; merely clarifying how to connect a Plane Power alternator and a master switch using Nuckoll's design.

awesome..thank you, the diagram defiantly gives me clarity.