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  #1  
Old 05-20-2015, 04:07 PM
rvaitor rvaitor is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 54
Default Terminal Bar

I had an issue last week where defrost hose rubbed through and shorted against this terminal bar. I didn't build this plane so not sure if this is a normal setup on the wiring. These are positive connections from and between various breakers and the loads. I am not comfortable with these being where other items might rub or contact these.

I am looking for some advice on protecting this area and these terminal connections.

Thanks,



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  #2  
Old 05-20-2015, 04:30 PM
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Jesse Jesse is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
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Default

This is the type of connection that Van's wiring harness uses. I don't like it much either.

Stein and others sell these. They work much better.
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  #3  
Old 05-20-2015, 04:37 PM
Jrskygod Jrskygod is offline
 
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Location: Edinburg, TX
Posts: 617
Default This is a bad idea

Typical Van's cheap way. It works, thousands flying and not falling out of the sky. Is it the best way to do it? Probably not for the reason you cited. There are a lot of planes out there that have wires, cables, scat tubing and all sorts of stuff running in that area that would be best labeled a rats nest. Terminal blocks are made for this purpose. They have barriers to help prevent shorts and stuff from coming into contact with the wiring connections. They are cheap, readily available, and a heck of a lot safer to use. Just one old guy's opinion.
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  #4  
Old 05-20-2015, 04:40 PM
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DaleB DaleB is offline
 
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Location: Omaha, NE (KMLE)
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Default

I'm not that far along in the build to see what Van's does. Is that a bus bar, or some kind of non-conductive bar with terminal studs? Either way... I have seen it done, but I would never leave a hot bus bar or terminal strip unprotected. It's crazy to do so and just hope nothing ever touches it. I wouldn't even leave a barrier strip with hot connections exposed. Yeesh.

At the very least it needs a plastic cover of some sort.
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  #5  
Old 05-20-2015, 04:46 PM
rockwoodrv9 rockwoodrv9 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Meridian ID, Aspen CO, Okemos MI
Posts: 2,645
Default Uncovered terminal worries

I have been struggling with this same issue in my build. I just can't bring myself to using an uncovered terminal strip for the wing wires. Why isn't there a terminal strip that has a protective cover over it so there is no chance of shorting it out? Maybe there is and I just haven't found it.

My VP power box has one wire for landing, one for nav, one for strobe. I need to split it to go to each wing and light. My plan is to use one of these:
http://steinair.com/storedetail.cfm?productid=609
or this if more are needed:
http://steinair.com/storedetail.cfm?productid=607
and a 9 pin D-Sub pinned connectors so I can have a positive connection without having a bare terminal. Does that sound like a reasonable method to go with?
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  #6  
Old 05-21-2015, 11:13 AM
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RONSIM RONSIM is offline
 
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Location: Largo, FL
Posts: 1,029
Default Check Amazon for "covered terminal strips"

I just did --- they have them.

R.
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  #7  
Old 05-21-2015, 03:44 PM
Robert Anglin Robert Anglin is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: houston, texas
Posts: 900
Default Wicks.

If you go to the Wicks catalog you will find Buss or terminal bars that also have insolated covers far them. This is the type we have used in all kinds of places to keep from having this very problem. You place the bar, hook all up to it then put the cover on top to cover everything so nothing can rub on it.
Hope this helps. Yours. R.E.A. III #80888
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  #8  
Old 05-21-2015, 05:12 PM
rvaitor rvaitor is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 54
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Anglin View Post
If you go to the Wicks catalog you will find Buss or terminal bars that also have insolated covers far them. This is the type we have used in all kinds of places to keep from having this very problem. You place the bar, hook all up to it then put the cover on top to cover everything so nothing can rub on it.
Hope this helps. Yours. R.E.A. III #80888
Thanks everyone. I will look into this type of solution. Btw, I had looked at terminal boots or nipples and just didn't feel this was anything but a temporary fix.
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  #9  
Old 05-22-2015, 07:36 AM
WenEng WenEng is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 522
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by rockwoodrv9 View Post
I have been struggling with this same issue in my build.........My plan is to use one of these:
http://steinair.com/storedetail.cfm?productid=609
or this if more are needed:
http://steinair.com/storedetail.cfm?productid=607
and a 9 pin D-Sub pinned connectors so I can have a positive connection without having a bare terminal. Does that sound like a reasonable method to go with?
Have you tried putting 18,16,14 AWG wire in a DSub pin? Not going to happen. I don't know which wire size you use but test it on a pin. I could not get 18 to fit cleanly. Maybe you have LEDs and can use 20awg...
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  #10  
Old 06-15-2015, 01:55 AM
Vonsmallhousen Vonsmallhousen is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: New Zealand, Whangarei
Posts: 51
Default

I have used MS18029-1s-12 they come in different lengths that you can trim to suit you
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