Any recommendations for reference books etc on electrical systems, wiring etc for the uninitiated.  I was a semi trained army killer not an EE.  Need simple explanation s in small words.

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The AeroElectric Connection by Bob Nuckolls.  Pretty much considered The Bible for wiring system planning.  Addresses all aspects of systems, relays, solenoids, along with several sample wiring diagrams for simple thru complex aircraft designs.

You might be able to find it for download online; the link below is for Amazon, but Aircraft Spruce and other suppliers carry it as well.

https://www.amazon.com/AeroElectric-Connection-Bob-Nuckolls/dp/B001...

+1 on Bob's book, definitely a good purchase.  Also check out:

http://www.bandc.aero/index.aspx

They have a good selection of parts, including specs on which connector types you'll need for most products they sell.  Good Luck!

...a second recommendation on this book by Marc Ausman, its very good and straightforward as Earnest has said.  Ditto on The Aerolectric Connection as well.

Not a book, but sign up for aerolectric forum at matronics.com -- you can ask smart people questions and get good answers.

The EAA sport air workshop on electronically systems and avionics is a great way to get up to speed.  Well worth the time to go do it.  

https://www.eaa.org/sitecore/commerce/products/eaa-shop/events-and-...

Thank you all!  Checking EAA workshop schedule for Atlanta.  Will look into ordering books.  Did download Aeroelectric.

Byers, you asked for "simple explanations with small words" -- unfortunately Aerolectric Connection doesn't meet those criteria. But be sure to look at the drawings in the back. They are very good and time tested. The EAA course will give you hands on experience so you can better judge your work.

Designing my electrical system seemed like an impossible task to me. Electricity is voodoo and I could not seem to wrap my head around it. I bought the Aeroelectric book and it had lots of great information - none of which I understood!

I looked at the diagrams in the back and had no real idea what I was looking at. Basically I had no freakin clue where to begin.

Then one day I got the bright idea - draw the battery and the first power wire from it on a piece of paper. Where does the wire go to and what do I need to know about it? Ok, it goes to the Master Contactor. So I went back to the book and read about this part of the system. So what's next? The wire to the Starter Contactor. Back to the book to read about this part of the system, and so on. One wire at a time, in order.   

Four months, and many changes later, I had my wire diagram.

I've attached it for your info. It is based on the Aeroelectric Z-11 diagram. FYI - in my job I work in AutoCad so it was easy for me to build my diagram with this program. You can just as easily draw it on a large sheet of paper.

Now that I have 200 hours on my plane, do I thoroughly understand my electrical system? Nope, it's still voodoo to me. However, everything seems to work properly so I guess I'm ok. 

Another tip - join the Vans RV forum. You don't have to be a Vans owner - you just have to answer an simple RV related question which you can easily find on the net. Don't mention you're not an RV owner. This website has a massive amount of posts regarding electrical systems from some of the most knowledgeable people around. Almost all use the Aeroelectric  book for their wiring design. Someone on there has already asked, and answered, most of the questions you may have. If not, just post a question and you will get answers very quickly. 

Garys%20Panel%202016_2_22.pdf

Brother, do I have a learning experience before me.  EAA workshop should help. Voodoo accuracy describes my level of knowledge.  I like your one step at a time approach.  Fortunately, I am a year out but no time like now to start thinking about it.

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