Here's what I found out about installation of the Microburst II Strobes, and specifically what I found out about shielding the B+ leads to them.
I tapped several sources for info, including the lead avionics installation tech at WACO (their assy plant is close to me in Battle Creek Mi), this VAF Forum, the Aerotronics Engineer that designed my gauge panel, and last but not least Whelen Engineering, plus other searches on the Net.
Note that a portion of the wiring to my strobes IS actually shielded. I had used Whelen 3 conductor shielded wire in the wings that came with an HDACF/A650/A500A strobe system I was originally going to use, but did not. (See hand-made schematic below!) The Microburst II strobe B+ from my switch to the wings, is not shielded and this was the already installed wiring I did not want to remove/replace.
- WACO Tech reviewed my install and said that it matched what they are installing on the WACO builds that they do with LED strobes. He says they do shield the wire in the wings on one end, but not before them. He notes that his interpretation of the AeroLED schematic, is that it shows that there is a segment up to the shielded wires, that is not shown to be shielded.
- Two out of three responses above said that they did not shield B+ wires to LED type strobes, and had no problems with noise or RFI interference. One had chased a noise problem with a different strobe system (Aveo Ziptips), and said his opinion as noted was to shield any wiring to strobes.
- The Aerotronics Engineer commented on the AeroLED schematic and said that he was aware of that installation guidance, however he wondered if it was outdated advice. I also read that typically, it was not good practice to ground both ends of such shielding.
- And Finally I called Whelen Aerospace Technologies and they connected me to one of their Electrical Engineers who looked over my schematic and said there should be no problem with it as wired. This was the expertise I was looking to connect with.
So I'm going to move forward as wired. As a final check, I plan to connect the wing wires to the fuselage wires (I've installed connectors to each) and test for any issues before final attach of the wings at my hangar.
For Reference, This was my Email Question to Whelen Engineering:
"I am installing a set of Microburst II Nav/strobes in a Vans RV-9A and have a question concerning the wiring of the B+ to them.
Specifically, I have not used a shielded wire for a portion of the B+ leads to the Nav/Strobes. I’m wondering if the LED type Microburst II actually requires it.
Per the attached schematic, I ran standard Mil-W-22759 wiring from the panel switches to the Microburst II lights except for when I got to the wings where I had a run of A417-1 Whelen wire that I used.
I am asking if with this routing, will there be any interference from the Microburst II strobes with the other components? Or with the aircraft Com radio and/or Intercom?
Would appreciate your comments on my installation.
Thank you,
AC"
This was from the Installation Guide for AeroLEDs LLC Suntail LED Position and Anti-Collision Light. This is what another builder referenced in telling me I had to shield the B+ to my Microburst II Strobes. I do not know if this is still their guidance for the Suntail strobes. It's just what brought the question of wire shielding up. I can see where someone might interpret this to show that there's an unshielded length of wiring, up to the shielding shown.