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  #1  
Old 08-29-2012, 07:17 PM
odlee odlee is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Greensboro,NC
Posts: 152
Default Lightspeed sensor wires

Has anyone tried to cut and reconnect the crank sensor wiring on a Lightspeed unit. I know the factory does not approve, but how have you "successfully" accomplished this.

Thanks,David
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  #2  
Old 08-29-2012, 07:41 PM
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Jeff Vaughan Jeff Vaughan is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: West Chester, Pa
Posts: 583
Default

I cut a notch down from the top of the flange on the firewall about three inches. This allowed me to slide the wire down the slit. At the bottom of the slit I drilled a hole that intersected the slot. This is where the grommet goes.
I slit a grommet and slipped it on to the wire and pushed it into the hole. The slot was then filled with firestop. I may have some photos.
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  #3  
Old 08-29-2012, 07:57 PM
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RV6airplanePilot RV6airplanePilot is offline
 
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Location: Ft Laudedale FL
Posts: 180
Default Yes

I had a dual crank sensor and was only using one ignition initially. When I went to connect a 2nd unit a few years later I found that 2 of the wires were worn thru by rubbing the flywheel. I used normal crimp style butt connectors to fix. Worked perfect. Of course I did a better job of securing the wires this time. That was about 8 months and 120 flight hours ago. I also have the new feature that has 2 led lights to warn if either unit goes off. Don't know when that came out, but believe it may have come out after 2007.
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  #4  
Old 08-29-2012, 09:31 PM
Rupester Rupester is offline
 
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Location: Mahomet, Illinois
Posts: 2,195
Default If I recall correctly ...

... Chad unsoldered the wires on the factory D-sub for his Lightspeed, ran the wires thru a small hole in the firewall, and then resoldered the D-sub. It worked fine. Personally, I did not have that much confidence in my soldering skills ... I just cut a near-one-inch opening in the f'wall, and then used a SS shield.
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  #5  
Old 08-30-2012, 04:21 AM
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f1rocket f1rocket is offline
 
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Location: Martinsville, IN
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Yes, I used crimped d-sub pins. Takes all the angst out of trying to solder those little suckers. I thought is was more important to have small holes in the firewall.
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  #6  
Old 08-30-2012, 06:26 AM
N427EF N427EF is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,516
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Exactly what Randy did.
Mark the wires before you cut them, they are all white.
Besides, if you are ever going to add a second Lightspeed or like me, connect the outgoing RPM wire on the wrong Dsub, it'll be much easier to push a crimped pin into the correct slot vs soldering under the instrument panel.
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  #7  
Old 08-30-2012, 09:39 AM
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flion flion is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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I am going to be using firewall CPCs for all my sensor wires, including the LSE sensors, on my RV-10. The LSE wires will be cut and pinned at the CPC. It's a high-quality connection, so I am not particularly worried - from a design point of view - about problems with the system, but I will be testing carefully to make sure that the installed system operates normally.
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  #8  
Old 08-30-2012, 10:08 AM
jimgreen jimgreen is offline
 
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Location: Vancouver island, BC Canada
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Patrick, what's a CPC?
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  #9  
Old 08-31-2012, 09:06 AM
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flion flion is offline
 
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Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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CPC = Cannon Plug Connector. The ones that Aerotronics has located for my firewall are designed to withstand high temps, as opposed to the plastic-bodied ones in use elsewhere in my airframe. They cost a lot more, though.
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