Planning wiring for Cruzer lights - Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers2024-03-28T12:01:06Zhttps://zenith.aero/forum/topics/planning-wiring-for-cruzer-lights?commentId=2606393%3AComment%3A854292&x=1&feed=yes&xn_auth=noSteinAir does sell shielded 1…tag:zenith.aero,2021-11-24:2606393:Comment:8542922021-11-24T07:38:23.596ZJason Fishhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JasonFish
<p>SteinAir does sell shielded 16-3. It wasn't shown on the site at the time, but they've since fixed it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.steinair.com/product/shielded-wire-16-ga-3-conductor/" target="_blank">https://www.steinair.com/product/shielded-wire-16-ga-3-conductor/</a></p>
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<p>AeroLEDs also sells shielded 18-4 directly, which I found would work well for one of my runs.</p>
<p>SteinAir does sell shielded 16-3. It wasn't shown on the site at the time, but they've since fixed it.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.steinair.com/product/shielded-wire-16-ga-3-conductor/" target="_blank">https://www.steinair.com/product/shielded-wire-16-ga-3-conductor/</a></p>
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<p>AeroLEDs also sells shielded 18-4 directly, which I found would work well for one of my runs.</p> I feel for you on this, Jason…tag:zenith.aero,2021-11-24:2606393:Comment:8543812021-11-24T07:05:18.689ZBrian Rodriguezhttps://zenith.aero/profile/BrianRodriguez
<p>I feel for you on this, Jason. I just drew up my wing schematic as well and was frustrated with the lack of confidence I have in the variance between calculations and recommendations...and it wasn't until I read your post that I realized that AeroLEDs seems to be recommending the use of shielded wire, as in their manual it mentions that it is "optional." Kind of vague and lacking confidence also - if its going to induce noise it really shouldn't be optional. I too, couldn't find shielded…</p>
<p>I feel for you on this, Jason. I just drew up my wing schematic as well and was frustrated with the lack of confidence I have in the variance between calculations and recommendations...and it wasn't until I read your post that I realized that AeroLEDs seems to be recommending the use of shielded wire, as in their manual it mentions that it is "optional." Kind of vague and lacking confidence also - if its going to induce noise it really shouldn't be optional. I too, couldn't find shielded 16-3 and starting thinking all this overthinking was overkill, especially based on the average loads (not peak loads). Confusing! These coils of large gauge wire are heavy, so overkill isn't a good thing.</p> The tough part there is that,…tag:zenith.aero,2021-06-16:2606393:Comment:8390832021-06-16T17:29:10.180ZJason Fishhttps://zenith.aero/profile/JasonFish
<p>The tough part there is that, like 16-3, shielded 14-2 also doesn't seem to exist. I can't imagine everyone out there with Sunspots is twisting together their own 14ga pair, so I must be missing something.</p>
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<p>The reply from AeroLEDs was "this is all fine." OK, great! But they also said "be sure to ground all the way to the main bus," which I'd mentioned at the very start that I would be doing, so I now wonder how closely they read the rest of the email. ;)</p>
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<p>So the…</p>
<p>The tough part there is that, like 16-3, shielded 14-2 also doesn't seem to exist. I can't imagine everyone out there with Sunspots is twisting together their own 14ga pair, so I must be missing something.</p>
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<p>The reply from AeroLEDs was "this is all fine." OK, great! But they also said "be sure to ground all the way to the main bus," which I'd mentioned at the very start that I would be doing, so I now wonder how closely they read the rest of the email. ;)</p>
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<p>So the manufacturer says 16ga is fine</p>
<p>FAA says 14 is needed, some builders agree</p>
<p>Other builders say they used 18ga</p>
<p>Zenith includes 16ga with the Sunspot lighting kit they sell</p>
<p>Various whiz-bang calculators out there conflict with these statements, and with each other</p>
<p>And the availability of the wire I apparently <em>should</em> use is limited, leading me to think that it's not a popular choice</p>
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<p>Just reams of doubt all around. Not complaining, just flummoxed. If there's a Hard Rule Based on Distance, and most panel-to-lamp distances are similar to ours, then there should be tons of adequate wire available in the market. So something just seems off, ya know?</p> Jason,
My math is showing so…tag:zenith.aero,2021-06-16:2606393:Comment:8391682021-06-16T16:38:20.486ZDavid Gallagherhttps://zenith.aero/profile/DavidGallagher
<p>Jason,</p>
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<p>My math is showing something just a bit different. </p>
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<p>I read your landing/taxi lights as 3.5A continuous for a total of 35 feet from panel to wingtip. In AC41-13B Figure 11-2 Conductor Chart, Continuous flow, assuming a 14V system, it rounds up to a 14 gauge wire.</p>
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<p>You should be OK with 18 gauge for the nav and strobe lights. </p>
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<p>Dave G.</p>
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<p>Jason,</p>
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<p>My math is showing something just a bit different. </p>
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<p>I read your landing/taxi lights as 3.5A continuous for a total of 35 feet from panel to wingtip. In AC41-13B Figure 11-2 Conductor Chart, Continuous flow, assuming a 14V system, it rounds up to a 14 gauge wire.</p>
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<p>You should be OK with 18 gauge for the nav and strobe lights. </p>
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<p>Dave G.</p>
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