drunkenbeagle
Gang Member
Good time to do the GROL or AET maybe?
Curious how useful the GROL is for aircraft @Roger Roger . I have an amateur extra FCC license already, the GROL question pool looks much easier.
Good time to do the GROL or AET maybe?
I'd be well up for either but the US citizen requirement is random.Curious how useful the GROL is for aircraft @Roger Roger . I have an amateur extra FCC license already, the GROL question pool looks much easier.
Not at all. Maybe if you do component level work? But for installs and troubleshooting not at all.Curious how useful the GROL is for aircraft @Roger Roger . I have an amateur extra FCC license already, the GROL question pool looks much easier.
Interesting. Embry Riddle teach it as part of their AMNT 265 module. I wouldn't mind an extra FCC Cert just don't think many are open to meNot at all. Maybe if you do component level work? But for installs and troubleshooting not at all.
This is a good way to do it for a full retrofit for sure. For any individual piece of gear guys like you and @drunkenbeagle have enough experience with wiring diagrams, protocols, etc that I’m sure you could do just fine working with an accommodating A&P. Of course part of it too is just having the tooling-a Daniels crimper and preferably a couple of the positioners. Then you can get into other stuff like the crimper for the sealed butt splices, battery cable crimpers…..I have a couple thousand dollars worth of just wiring tools and I have just what i have needed for the installs I’ve done.
Do you have any kind of diagrams from the builder? I mean most small aircraft alternator/battery systems are more or less the same but there are a few variations like do you have a battery ammeter or an alternator one (or with a modern EFIS system maybe both!), what kind of alternator controller do you have, what kind of circuit protection for the alternator feed, separate alternator master switch or part of the master, etc.I've got a Chinese knockoff of a Daniels crimper that will do the pinning jobs for me - couldn't justify the cost of a real one but if I was building harnesses every day it would be mandatory. My wiring diagram knowledge is spotty at best, but I can follow connections and duplicate already-there stuff well enough - it's not that different from wiring the phone systems that I did for the first half of my career.
The part that's got me scratching my head - and I could use a point in the right direction if you please - is figuring out the wiring between battery, alternator, voltage regulator, ammeter shunt, mags and ignition. 99% of this stuff is already in place for me, but it bugs me not knowing how it all it's all put together - I wouldn't be able to assemble it if I had to, vs. the other components in the radio stack or the EFIS setup.
And since I'm switching to push-button start with test switches for the P-Mags, it's changing a bit and it's something I just don't know. I've got a copy of The Aeroelectric Connection and while I can sort of follow it, it's not very clear and it's really, really out of date. I may need to pay someone to help me out on this part.
Do you have any kind of diagrams from the builder? I mean most small aircraft alternator/battery systems are more or less the same but there are a few variations like do you have a battery ammeter or an alternator one (or with a modern EFIS system maybe both!), what kind of alternator controller do you have, what kind of circuit protection for the alternator feed, separate alternator master switch or part of the master, etc.
mags and starter [edit]can be very simple too, but once you start getting into replacing impulse couplings with electronic starting boost that circuitry does get more complex[/edit].
The generic single engine electrical system diagram you’ve probably seen/used before is a good starting place to get your head around it and figure the intricacies of your particular system from there.
I’m interested in the PMags, the engine r&r I’m doing right now is getting some sort of e-ignition on one side but supposedly all it needs is the extant magneto connection. When you say push button start do you mean replacing a key style start/ignition switch with a button, or some sort of semi-automated actual push to start setup?
View attachment 64247
Edit: then again, just some quick googling shows that some of the RV builders get very fancy with their power distribution systems! Vertical power and whatnot. Not sure what you’ve got installed.
I've got a Chinese knockoff of a Daniels crimper that will do the pinning jobs for me - couldn't justify the cost of a real one but if I was building harnesses every day it would be mandatory. My wiring diagram knowledge is spotty at best, but I can follow connections and duplicate already-there stuff well enough - it's not that different from wiring the phone systems that I did for the first half of my career.
The part that's got me scratching my head - and I could use a point in the right direction if you please - is figuring out the wiring between battery, alternator, voltage regulator, ammeter shunt, mags and ignition. 99% of this stuff is already in place for me, but it bugs me not knowing how it all it's all put together - I wouldn't be able to assemble it if I had to, vs. the other components in the radio stack or the EFIS setup.
And since I'm switching to push-button start with test switches for the P-Mags, it's changing a bit and it's something I just don't know. I've got a copy of The Aeroelectric Connection and while I can sort of follow it, it's not very clear and it's really, really out of date. I may need to pay someone to help me out on this part.
I was about to recommend AeroElectric Connection to you when I read that you had it. I bought it and read it several times over, and still refer to it regularly. I used one of Bob's architectures for my RV-8 and modified it a bit for my glass panel. During my build, I learned far more about electricity than any other subject. I also have push button start and P-Mags. I don't get up to JYO as much as I used to, but I still am there occasionally. Happy to chat with you if you need a hand.
I read it, but had a hard time with a lot of it.
Since that last post, I'd sought help from a local avionics tech and we've been working together on my retroft. It's almost done. The book is good for basics but it wasn't as helpful for me as it was being the owner-involved helper on this job. Have learned a TON.
Where are you flying out ofFinally getting around to doing this, II check ride scheduled for the last week of Sept. Brushing up on all things instrument and waking up that part of my brain is fun. Any additional tips welcome.
Where are you flying out of
Nice job! That looks incredible.
Nice job! That looks incredible.
CongratulationsPassed my II today! Very thorough oral and flight, but enjoyable. Really enjoyed getting back up to speed on the instrument world and flying from the right seat again, and grateful to have my instructor privileges back to teach my wife and son, who were waiting for this to be official. Thanks for the tips along the way.
I also have a RedbirdTD2...