Wing to Fuselage wiring

[mciaglia]

As I am completing the wings and the associated wiring (heated pitot, auto-pilot, trim, ziptip lights) I have a question.

Do most people leave a long tail of wire at the wing root so it can be finished when the wings get attached?

or

Do people terminate them with a CPC connector or like which allows the fuselage wiring to be completed and then simply make the connection?

I know minimizing the amount of potential failure points ie. connectors is a best practice, but it seems easier to have a single connector.

[Mel]

Personally I use a terminal block inside the fuselage. This way if you need to remove the wings (rare occurrence), you can simply remove the individual wires.

[rcoleman-10]

I used a small quick disconnect cannon plug that connects from wing to Fus. Also all my egt, oil temp, cht, fuel flow and other sensor data goes into a cannon plug connect to the top center of the firewall. Greatly improves wire management. Makes for easy documentation of pin outs for the files.

Ron

[jibby212]

I have been researching this trying to figure out what I am going to do here also. I am now leaning toward the terminal block, as I see it, it will also serve as a good way to split the wires for the left and right wing and even some wires going to the tail lighting. Still not 100% decided though.

[Auburntsts]

I was going to use some type of connector but in the end opted not to. Figured if I was having to remove my wings, cutting wires would be the least of my worries. I left a long pigtail that I typically splice with D-sub sockets and pins covered with shrink tube in lieu of using a d-sub housing.

[219PB]

I am putting a service loop between the wing and fuselage and the wires will be crimped with water proof butt connectors. I figured that I would not be removing the wings on any frequency. Would have been best to run all of the wires direct, but I had to remove the wings due to shop constraints.

I ordered these heat shrink but connectors.

https://www.amazon.com/Wirefy-Heat-S...nnectors&psc=1

[Mike S]

I mounted a D-sub 9 to the fuse for the roll servo control wiring.

Strobe wiring had Molex connectors already installed.

All other lines were done with knife splice connectors, below.

[Carl Froehlich]

Defer wiring until final wing install (other than conduits in the wing and fusleage). No connectors or terminal blocks - just run the wires. If you ever need to take the wing off, pull them into the fusleage. For things like a D connector for something like trim or autopilot, cut it off. Just leave enough slack to put on a new connector. For wingtip antennas, disconnect and pull the coax into the fuselage.

Never a fan of terminal blocks. Too many bare connections and they tend to be clunky. If you really must do a connector have the connector on the fuselage side - easier to protect it from the elements.

Carl

[mciaglia]

Thanks for all suggestions. I think I will plan for a connector in the fuselage to better protect from the elements.

[majuro15]

I did a CPC for each wing. I wanted to have the wings wired and complete without putting them on to save hangar time and keep the fuse at home.