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  #1  
Old 03-17-2011, 09:48 AM
TomVal's Avatar
TomVal TomVal is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SC & CA
Posts: 907
Default Electrical Schematic Drawing Programs???

I?ve just completed a signifcant modification to my electrical system. I would like to redraw the electrical schematic. Is there a computer program out there or an electrical symbol template where I could draw out a semi-professional looking wiring diagram of the new system?

If software, how expensive?

Thanks,
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RV8 (Sold)
RV12 Jabiru 2200 Powered (Sold)
Dues contributor since 2007

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  #2  
Old 03-17-2011, 09:54 AM
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Ramendala Ramendala is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Hillsboro, OR
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Default

I used Microsoft Visio a while back. Worked great
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  #3  
Old 03-17-2011, 09:57 AM
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Fred.Stucklen Fred.Stucklen is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brooksville, FL
Posts: 356
Default Schematic Capture

I used an Auto-Cad Light program. My plane required seven "D" sized prints to record all electrical connections, including the radio stack..... Software is free.....

Quote:
Originally Posted by DAGO View Post
I?ve just completed a signifcant modification to my electrical system. I would like to redraw the electrical schematic. Is there a computer program out there or an electrical symbol template where I could draw out a semi-professional looking wiring diagram of the new system?

If software, how expensive?

Thanks,
__________________
Fred Stucklen
wstucklen1@cox.net
RV-7A N924RV Flying (1825 Hrs & counting)
RV-6A N926RV 875 Hrs (Sold)
RV-6A N925RV 2008 Hrs (Sold)
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  #4  
Old 03-17-2011, 10:10 AM
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mburch mburch is offline
 
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Location: Northwestern USA
Posts: 1,209
Default

I've had good luck with ExpressSCH. Fairly easy to learn and you can't beat the price.

mcb
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  #5  
Old 03-17-2011, 10:17 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Dayton, NV
Posts: 12,256
Default

Two thumbs up for ExpressSCH!! Matt turned me on to it a couple of months ago, and I found it very easy to use - the RV-3 drawings are all done with it, and are easy to change as I work through the wiring and have "better ideas".

Paul
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  #6  
Old 03-17-2011, 10:21 AM
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TomVal TomVal is offline
 
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Location: SC & CA
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Default

Thanks everyone! I'm going to give ExpressSCH a shot.
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RV8 (Sold)
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Dues contributor since 2007

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  #7  
Old 03-17-2011, 11:07 AM
Skyflyer Skyflyer is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 144
Default Make that three thumbs up

I have also used ExpressSCH with excellent results. It is available from this site: http://www.expresspcb.com/ Download ExpressPCB which will contain two programs. One called ExpressPCB is for creating printed circuit boards and is not particularly useful to us but the second called ExpressSCH contains the tools to draw schematics. I set up a practice sheet and began experimenting and before long got the hang of it.

Components are selected from a long list of already created devices or from a "custom" component list of those you create yourself. Similarly symbols are provided and additional ones can be drawn and saved in a custom symbols file. I found it necessary to create many of the devices we need for our schematics since most of the supplied devices and symbols are for interconnecting printed circuit boards.

To create a new component from an existing one requires that you "ungroup" the component to allow modifying individual elements and then when you are satisfied with the new component you regroup it into a new component you can then name and save in the custom file. I have a file of "custom components" that represent those we use in our aircraft. and would be glad to share it with anyone that can use it.
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  #8  
Old 03-17-2011, 11:43 AM
RV8MW RV8MW is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CLINTON,NC
Posts: 109
Default

Chuck,
I have been trying to copy symbols from aero electric into ExpressSCh could not figure out how to do it . If you could share your symbols and tell how to get them into custom symbols I would appreciate it. I do not understand ungrouping. I have a copy of autocad to but it took me 2 days to do one schematic. Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skyflyer View Post
I have also used ExpressSCH with excellent results. It is available from this site: http://www.expresspcb.com/ Download ExpressPCB which will contain two programs. One called ExpressPCB is for creating printed circuit boards and is not particularly useful to us but the second called ExpressSCH contains the tools to draw schematics. I set up a practice sheet and began experimenting and before long got the hang of it.

Components are selected from a long list of already created devices or from a "custom" component list of those you create yourself. Similarly symbols are provided and additional ones can be drawn and saved in a custom symbols file. I found it necessary to create many of the devices we need for our schematics since most of the supplied devices and symbols are for interconnecting printed circuit boards.

To create a new component from an existing one requires that you "ungroup" the component to allow modifying individual elements and then when you are satisfied with the new component you regroup it into a new component you can then name and save in the custom file. I have a file of "custom components" that represent those we use in our aircraft. and would be glad to share it with anyone that can use it.
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RV8 N184MW RESERVED
TMX-IO360 REDGOLD,HARTZELL CS
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  #9  
Old 03-17-2011, 12:17 PM
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aaronboulais aaronboulais is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Fontana, CA.
Posts: 74
Default Another Vote for ExpressSCH

I have used it at work quite a few times for some avionics installs on our helicopters. Easy to learn and use, looks very professional, and as Paul said the price is good too
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Stuck in spam can land for now.....
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  #10  
Old 03-17-2011, 01:31 PM
sjjonesnz sjjonesnz is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 147
Default

I also used Microsoft Visio. While I had to make up a couple of symbols (typical, the ore complex ones such as relays :-( ) it worked really well
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Steve
Auckland, New Zealand

Flying RV-7QB/ZK-NVS/Aerosport 0320/Dual AF3500s/PMA8000B/GNS430W/SL30/GTX327/TT ADIP II
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