Batt Contactor to Starter Contactor Question

[Bushcaddy]

When using a 1/2" wide piece of brass or copper to connect the battery contactor to the starter contactor, how thick should the piece be? As a point of reference my drawing calls for a 4 AWG wire for this connection. It seems brass is the better choice over copper??

Thanks for the input.

[frazitl]

Cu is the better conductor of course. I cut up some coper fittings and flattened as a matl source. Needed to be wider-maybe 3/4 in. To leave enough around the holes.

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Originally Posted by Bushcaddy

When using a 1/2" wide piece of brass or copper to connect the battery contactor to the starter contactor, how thick should the piece be? As a point of reference my drawing calls for a 4 AWG wire for this connection. It seems brass is the better choice over copper??

Thanks for the input.

The copper bar Van's provides for this is 1/2" wide by .063 thick. Two layers are required for that connection. It's shown in the wiring drawings.

[Norman CYYJ]

If you can't find copper in bar form use a piece of copper water pipe squeezed flat in a vise.

[Michael Brown]

I work with Buss Bars all the time, not with DC Voltage though. I think you can find what you are looking for here. I definatly would not substitute pipe for buss bar.


Copper Buss Bars -

http://store.electrical-insulators-a...-barstock.html

Copper Buss Bar DC Ampacity -

http://www.copper.org/applications/b...mpacities.html

[Norman CYYJ]

Curious as to why you would not use a flattened piece of copper pipe? It is just as pure as copper buss bar and will carry the current.

[Michael Brown]

True..... Copper is Copper and will carry current. How much current is the flattened pipe good for? At what point will it fail? I am just a firm believer in proper engineering, especially when it comes to airplanes.

[Bushcaddy]

Airplane workers....thanks for all the alternatives and info.

[aerhed]

Have used flattened copper tube/pipe for a bus more than a dozen times. How can anyone make a big deal out of that? As long as it's new & clean and not full of lime (used water pipe). You can always anneal it some mo'.