VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics


Go Back   VAF Forums > Avionics / Interiors / Fiberglass > Electrical Systems
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-15-2014, 08:21 PM
Steve Ashby's Avatar
Steve Ashby Steve Ashby is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Posts: 483
Default What wire to use for Whelen MicroBurst position/strobe lights

I bought the new Whelen MicroBurst LED position/strobe lights at OSH and now I want to wire them in. The lights pull .8 amps at 14 volts when the strobe flashes. It takes 4 wires to run the lights (grnd., nav., strobe & synch). What gage wire do I use? Does anyone know who sells 4 wire cable that would fit the bill? I can't find anything suitable at ACS or Whelen.

Oh, and I am totally ignorant of all things electrical. I don't a even know which end of the wire the electrons go in.

Thanks!
__________________
Steve Ashby
Stone Mountain, GA
N184RW (reserved)
RV-8A
YIO-360 180 hp Lycoming
Hartzell Blended Airfoil Prop
Engine Hung
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-15-2014, 09:34 PM
Kahuna's Avatar
Kahuna Kahuna is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Gold Hill, NC25
Posts: 2,400
Default

Your in need of one of these.
__________________
Kahuna
6A, S8 ,
Gold Hill, NC25
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-15-2014, 09:40 PM
aturner's Avatar
aturner aturner is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Clarion, Pennsylvania
Posts: 550
Default

Or an online wire size calculator like this one:
http://www.wirebarn.com/Wire-Calculator_ep_41.html

Stein sells a four conductor shielded wire, 22 ga.
__________________
-Andy Turner
RV-10 N784JC
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-16-2014, 04:51 AM
Captain_John's Avatar
Captain_John Captain_John is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: KPYM
Posts: 2,686
Default

Steve,

Now that they taught you how to fish, I will give you one.

Use a #20 awg.

Typically for signal stuff all you use is #22. Flap position sesors and stuff like that would qualify.

Once you start carrying current (amperage) you need to bump it up. Reason for doing so is because of conductor heating and resistance in the length of the run. In addition to that, you get physical strength. Bundles stay in place better and terminals are less fragile.

Even if you don't use the Vertical Power product, check out their website. There is a great resource there. They have documents on wiring your plane that will help you to understand things better.

Hope this helps!

CJ
__________________
RV-7 Flying - 1,200 Hours in 5 Years!
The experiment works!
TMX-IO-360, G3i ignition & G3X with VP-X
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-16-2014, 10:46 AM
Steve Ashby's Avatar
Steve Ashby Steve Ashby is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Stone Mountain, Georgia
Posts: 483
Default Thanks for the help!

I am having fun in the early stages of wiring. These MicroBurst LED nav/strobe lights from Whelen are really nice looking. I can't wait to fire them up.
__________________
Steve Ashby
Stone Mountain, GA
N184RW (reserved)
RV-8A
YIO-360 180 hp Lycoming
Hartzell Blended Airfoil Prop
Engine Hung
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-16-2014, 12:25 PM
8PK 8PK is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: MORGAN HILL CA
Posts: 10
Default

Hi Steve,
I'm also using the micro burst light along with sunray plus landing lights.
I'm about to do the wiring I was going to use 20 guage three wire sheilded
for both of power lines and sync and then run a seperate ground wire back to the main ground. I will also do the same for the landing lights From what I have read the sheild only needs to be
grounded at the panel end do you or anyone else know if this is correct.
My tips are going to be removable so I will use a molex plug in the wing tip.
Paul
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-16-2014, 12:48 PM
Bevan Bevan is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,674
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve Ashby View Post

Oh, and I am totally ignorant of all things electrical. I don't a even know which end of the wire the electrons go in.

Thanks!
Don't worry about the electrons, the will automatically show up. Just don't forget to precharge the wires with the appropriate recipe of smoke.
Bevan
__________________
RV7A Flying since 2015
O-360-A1F6 (parallel valve) 180HP
Dual P-mags
Precision F.I. with AP purge valve
Vinyl Wrapped Exterior
Grand Rapids EFIS
Located in western Canada
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-01-2014, 02:02 PM
chopperchops chopperchops is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 44
Default Interference

G'day everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knows if the microburst series need to have shielded wiring? I'm just about to wire the wings and finish them off.
Thanks Guys.
Rob
__________________
Rob Chopin
QB RV8
Wings done, fuse in progress.
Queensland Australia
VAF Dues 2020 paid-worth every penny!!!
http://www.mykitlog.com/ch0pperch0ps
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-01-2014, 02:54 PM
krw5927 krw5927 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 1,958
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by chopperchops View Post
G'day everyone,
I was wondering if anyone knows if the microburst series need to have shielded wiring? I'm just about to wire the wings and finish them off.
Thanks Guys.
Rob
Looks like shielded wiring is not required.

http://www.whelen.com/install/143/14360.pdf
__________________
Kurt W.
RV9A
FLYING!!!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-01-2014, 05:21 PM
Kahuna's Avatar
Kahuna Kahuna is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Gold Hill, NC25
Posts: 2,400
Default

None of the Whelen LED lighting products require shielding. You might find however, that multi-conductor wire is only cost effective in shielded versions. This is due to the very low manufacturing requests from the wire makers for mil spec multi conductor wire in non-shielded versions. That might change over time as LED becomes more prominent. But for now is MUCH cheaper to get multi-conductor shielded wire than non-shielded versions. Regardless of whether or not the product requires it.
__________________
Kahuna
6A, S8 ,
Gold Hill, NC25
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:01 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.