Insulate ammeter shunt

jimgreen · #1 04-21-2010, 10:09 AM

How do other builders insulate a big blob such as the ammeter shunt?

N8RV · #2 04-21-2010, 10:35 AM

Jim, here's what I did. Like most things, there are likely many ways to skin this particular cat ...

I made a shield of some acrylic that I had lying around and screwed it in place so that nothing can touch it and cause a short.

Hope that helps.

jimgreen · #3 04-21-2010, 10:50 AM

Pretty neat job Don. You've got me thinking!

hydroguy2 · #4 04-21-2010, 11:05 AM

and here's is another way to skin that cat.

I'm using the shunt as indication of alternator load. Therefore the only time mine is hot is with the master shut. It is also under the cowl.

I thought about using a piece of baffle rubber and making a flap, but in the end, I will do nothing. Only time there is any chance of sparking or arcing is during troubleshooting periods, which hopefully will be very few, far between and brain should be engaged.

YMMV, I chose lighter is better

Brantel · #5 04-21-2010, 11:14 AM

Hey Jim,

My shunt was on the engine side of the firewall...The rubber boots on the wires covered the screw part of the connections..I plan on putting some liquid tape on the shunt part and the other areas that are electrified.....have not got around to that yet. Not much that can come into contact with my shunt unless I have other big problems. Since I do not work on the engine most of the time with the master on, there is little risk of dropping a wrench or other tool on there.

How the heck you gonna get to them fuse blocks after that top skin is riveted on?

Also, I recommend fusible links close to the shunt on the wires going from the shunt to the Dynon. These wires will turn into glowing fire making dragons if they are ever shorted out!!!!

jimgreen · #6 04-21-2010, 02:33 PM

Hi Brian.I've got two big holes in the skin right above those fuse panels. I can get at my lightspeed box, electrics and canopy pins quite easily that way.
Gets a bit drafty though.

Brantel · #7 04-21-2010, 02:35 PM

Cool...That will work!

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimgreen

Hi Brian.I've got two big holes in the skin right above those fuse panels. I can get at my lightspeed box, electrics and canopy pins quite easily that way.
Gets a bit drafty though.

jimgreen · #8 04-21-2010, 02:39 PM

Hey Brian. Just noticed you are flying your bird! Congratulations! I've learned a lot reading your threads.

Brantel · #9 04-21-2010, 03:14 PM

Thanks Jim!!! Keep pounding rivets! It's worth it!

az_gila · #10 04-22-2010, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydroguy2

.....I thought about using a piece of baffle rubber and making a flap, but in the end, I will do nothing. Only time there is any chance of sparking or arcing is during troubleshooting periods, which hopefully will be very few, far between and brain should be engaged.
....

...drops the screwdriver at the wrong time, even when the brain is engaged....

I recommend the little flap of baffle material to stop gravity aided stuff from touching any part of the shunts. Cheap and easy.