Ground for Lighting

[szicree]

I hope this doesn't seem like too stupid a question, but how are most folks grounding their landing/taxi lights? I'm building a day vfr machine, but had installed the leading edge lights way back when and figure I'll wire em up as wig-wags. Up til now all my panel grounds are going to the Nuckolls style ground block, but I'm unsure if it's worth running ground wires all the way through the wings. Hopefully somebody (more than one opinion is nice) will straighten me out.

Also, same question regarding fuel sender.

Thanks everybody.

[kevinh]

Originally Posted by szicree

I hope this doesn't seem like too stupid a question, but how are most folks grounding their landing/taxi lights? I'm building a day vfr machine, but had installed the leading edge lights way back when and figure I'll wire em up as wig-wags. Up til now all my panel grounds are going to the Nuckolls style ground block, but I'm unsure if it's worth running ground wires all the way through the wings. Hopefully somebody (more than one opinion is nice) will straighten me out.

I didn't bother - the landing light is entirely a resistive load (not going to be making EMI) and all my radios etc have a common ground at the firewall anyway. Therefore no way that this ground could screw me up.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by szicree

I hope this doesn't seem like too stupid a question, but how are most folks grounding their landing/taxi lights? I'm building a day vfr machine, but had installed the leading edge lights way back when and figure I'll wire em up as wig-wags. Up til now all my panel grounds are going to the Nuckolls style ground block, but I'm unsure if it's worth running ground wires all the way through the wings. Hopefully somebody (more than one opinion is nice) will straighten me out.

Also, same question regarding fuel sender.

Thanks everybody.

kevinh, is probably right, but I have individual strobe power supplies in each wing, so they are getting their own ground. There are two other lights, the NAV and Landing Lights. I am debating running one more ground wire out for those two lights.

I was thinking about one big ground for all lights but there is no real savings or increase in efficency. To run the extra ground cost about 3.18 oz. per wing of extra weight.

George

[rv8ch]

Originally Posted by szicree

... how are most folks grounding their landing/taxi lights? ...

Also, same question regarding fuel sender.

I'm grounding the landing/taxi and position lights locally. I asked Bob about this and he said "no problemo". Not sure what you mean about the fuel sender. Mine has one big screw on it to go to the gauge, and the other end is grounded to the wing automagically. Is this the one you use?

[Mel]

No extra ground wire is necessary. Airframe ground is fine for all these applications; nav, landing lights, strobe p/s, fuel gauge senders, etc.
Mel...DAR

[mgomez]

I ran ground wires for each load out on the wingtips: landing light, strobe, nav. I'm just fussy that way...I'm sure it would be fine to use the airframe as ground.

[szicree]

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll just ground locally and save a little wire.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by szicree

Thanks for all the replies. I guess I'll just ground locally and save a little wire.

I ran a ground from the main firewall ground, to a wiring junction box under the seats (RV6A). From there, it tee's about 2 1/2' to each wing's inboard rib.

All lights are then grounded to the wing, but I felt better about running a heated pitot tube ground back to the inboard ground.

[gmcjetpilot]

Ok drill a hole in the aluminum, put a screw thru it, bolt crimped wire lugs down. How do you keep the connection "GOOD".

Can the aluminum and electrical connector interact and corrode. DO you cover it with some corrosion protection or sealant it?

I wounder what the electrical resistance is between the battery ground and outboard rib or end of the spar is? Any one know?

Pictures? Cheers George

[billy d]

I agree with Mel...All the extra ground leads produce ground "Loops" and interference with Nav /Sound Equip. One solid ground on the airframe does it.
Billy D