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Fuse panel location

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dstroud(at)storm.ca
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 4:39 pm Post subject: Fuse panel location

Hello to all. I'm new here on the list and have a question

about locating my fuse panel. 



My older version of the AeroElectric connection and even books 

by Tony Bengelis suggest that an intelligent choice for a fuse panel 

location could indeed be farther than the reach of the pilot, since, if 

the fuse blew there is little likelyhood of inflight repair to the

offending part anyway. This scenario is assuming good choices

have been made for wire and fuse sizing, length of travel etc.

and that certain circuits might need pullable breakers front and 

center anyway. 



Although the Fairchild 51 is a large plane, the panel is relatively small

and I'm trying to keep things simple and as authentic looking as 

possible. My choice for the fuse panel location would in fact be about

12' behind the pilots seat in the "mechanical" room housing batteries

and the engine air start system.  



Any comments to the pros and cons would be much appreciated.

David Stroud   Ottawa, Canada

C-FDWS  Christavia  ( 400+ hrs. and no sparks )

Fairchild 51 under construction

klehman(at)albedo.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:50 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

Hi David



I can't reach any of my fuses in flight even though they are behind my 

panel.

The downside I see for you is the number of wires you have to bring 

forward from each fuse to switches and things. You might have to upsize 

a few wires to cater to voltage drop.



Another minor concern might be picking up a bit of audio noise if you 

run intercom and radio power in the same bundle as strobe or wig wag 

light power.  With some headsets I seem to have some noise even with 

everything (including the forest of tabs ground block) on the firewall 

but at least it is not noticeable in cruise. Even with a forest of tabs 

we share grounds from there to the alternator and battery anyway but 

those are heavy conductors I guess. Makes me wonder how they keep the 

radio so quiet in cars despite ignition and injector pulses...



Ken



david stroud wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  



Hello to all. I'm new here on the list and have a question

about locating my fuse panel. 



My older version of the AeroElectric connection and even books 

by Tony Bengelis suggest that an intelligent choice for a fuse panel 

location could indeed be farther than the reach of the pilot, since, if 

the fuse blew there is little likelyhood of inflight repair to the

offending part anyway. This scenario is assuming good choices

have been made for wire and fuse sizing, length of travel etc.

and that certain circuits might need pullable breakers front and 

center anyway. 



Although the Fairchild 51 is a large plane, the panel is relatively small

and I'm trying to keep things simple and as authentic looking as 

possible. My choice for the fuse panel location would in fact be about

12' behind the pilots seat in the "mechanical" room housing batteries

and the engine air start system.  



Any comments to the pros and cons would be much appreciated.

David Stroud   Ottawa, Canada

C-FDWS  Christavia  ( 400+ hrs. and no sparks )

Fairchild 51 under construction

longg(at)pjm.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 6:25 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

I too have thought about fuse location. I am not sure why people always

want their CB's sticking out in front of their nose, but are willing to

hide fuse boxes behind seats, somewhere under the panel etc. Probably

that looks kool. Why not hide the CB's under the panel where you can

feel them and reset as necessary? 



If I need to change a fuse, I don't want to stand on my head with my

ears between the pedals to do it. I have never read anything supporting

noise vs. the location of a fuse box where good wiring practices are

involved. If that is in fact true, it is surely different for every

single installation.



Why not use the example of many an automobile and set the fuse box just

behind the panel on the right side where a panel cover can be build for

easy strait forward access. I always loved the jobs where the panel

cover was just inside the door jam on the side of the panel.



If your panel is space challenged, another option might be on the panel

cover mounted face up perhaps using a door with a mirror so you can

easily see the condition of each fuse without breaking your neck.



I will use fuse panels, but I refuse to burry them. While location may

be of no use to myself in flight, if I have a passenger with me, they

can always assist with finding the trouble maker if they can get to the

panel. 



gl





--

bkuc1(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:25 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

When I was building my velocity, I built my fuse box that was hinged at the

bottom of the panel.  A little hook, kept it up.  Just release the hook, and

the fuse holder drops down.  Easy to see, easy to get to and easy to change

a fuse, if need be.  You can offset the hinge forward to clear any back of

switches.  That way, you do not need to build any panels, and if need be,

alto not sure why, you could even probably supposedly change the in flight.

However, the velocity was not in a fly mode before I sold it so am not sure

how practical it might really be, but it sure made changing fuses easy when

I was testing and blowing fuses.  YMMV 

Bob Kuc



<<



I too have thought about fuse location. I am not sure why people always want

their CB's sticking out in front of their nose, but are willing to hide fuse

boxes behind seats, somewhere under the panel etc. Probably that looks kool.

Why not hide the CB's under the panel where you can feel them and reset as

necessary? >>

echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:46 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

longg(at)pjm.com wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I will use fuse panels, but I refuse to burry them. While location may

 be of no use to myself in flight, if I have a passenger with me, they

 can always assist with finding the trouble maker if they can get to the

 panel. 



 gl

   

The best solution I've seen for traditional configurations is to have 
	


the fuseblock on a hinged panel that will swing down from the main 

instrument panel.  Tucks away nicely in flight, but conveniently swings 

down for maintenance.  Occupies nearly zero space that would be needed 

for instruments.



I, OTOH,  have other options.  The Dyke Delta has extensive strakes, so 

I've taken the opportunity to spread things sideways.



http://ernest.isa-geek.org/Delta/Pictures/AvionicsBay.jpg

http://ernest.isa-geek.org/Delta/Pictures/AvionicsBayAndPanel.jpg



The switch panel on the right flips down and hides most of the fuses 

behind it.  The small fuse panel on the left is just for audio 

equipment...common ground and all that.

kahuna

Joined: 02 Feb 2007
Posts: 93

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:48 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

This works pretty good on the RV-8

 Hinged access panel in the fwd baggage compartment with fuse blocks.  

 Very convenient.

 Best,

 Mike

 http://www.mstewart.net/super8/accesspanels/index.htm

 

 

 [img]cid:1__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]Ernest Christley <echristley(at)nc.rr.com>

 

 

       Ernest Christley <echristley(at)nc.rr.com> 

 Sent by: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com 

10/04/2007 11:22 AM  Please respond to

 aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

  
 
 
    [img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]

 To

[img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]

 aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com  [img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]

 cc

[img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]

   [img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]

 Subject

[img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]

 Re: Fuse panel location    [img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img][img]cid:3__=08BBF9F9DFF63C368f9e8a93df938(at)us.ibm.com[/img]    

 --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: Ernest Christley <echristley(at)nc.rr.com>

 

 longg(at)pjm.com wrote:

 > I will use fuse panels, but I refuse to burry them. While location may

 > be of no use to myself in flight, if I have a passenger with me, they

 > can always assist with finding the trouble maker if they can get to the

 > panel. 

 >

 > gl

 >   

 The best solution I've seen for traditional configurations is to have 

 the fuseblock on a hinged panel that will swing down from the main 

 instrument panel.  Tucks away nicely in flight, but conveniently swings 

 down for maintenance.  Occupies nearly zero space that would be needed 

 for instruments.

 

 I, OTOH,  have other options.  The Dyke Delta has extensive strakes, so 

 I've taken the opportunity to spread things sideways.

 

 http://ernest.isa-geek.org/Delta/Pictures/AvionicsBay.jpg

 http://ernest.isa-geek.org/Delta/Pictures/AvionicsBayAndPanel.jpg

 

 The switch panel on the right flips down and hides most of the fuses 

 behind it.  The small fuse panel on the left is just for audio 

 equipment...common ground and all that.

 

 =====================================

 orum -

 tor?AeroElectric-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List

 =====================================

 EB FORUMS -

 tp://forums.matronics.com

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gyoung

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 211
Location: Republic of Texas

Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 11:45 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

I'm doing just that except on the left side. They will have an access panel

in the sidewall. They are screwed directly to the fuselage skin with dimples

and CS screws. I have added a 12-slot and 2, 6-slot blocks (aux & bat

busses) since the picture was taken. I've got fuses for EVERYTHING.



Regards,

Greg Young - Houston (DWH)

RV-6 N6GY - project Phoenix

Navion N5221K - just an XXL RV-6A

 



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enewton57(at)cableone.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:07 pm Post subject: Fuse panel location

Here is a webpage from my Bearhawk builder's site on how I set up my Fuse 

panel which is hinged and can swing out for easy access.



http://mybearhawk.com/finish/electrical2.html



Regards,

Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS

BH #682- Mississippi Mudbug

BEARHAWK BUILDER'S MANUALS

http://mybearhawk.com



---

walter.fellows(at)gmail.c
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:30 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

Great installation, thanks for sharing it. If others have builder sites with similar documentation of electrical installations please share them with us.



On 10/5/07,  Eric Newton <enewton57(at)cableone.net (enewton57(at)cableone.net)> wrote:[quote] --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Eric Newton" <enewton57(at)cableone.net (enewton57(at)cableone.net)>



Here is a webpage from my Bearhawk builder's site on how I set up my Fuse 

panel which is hinged and can swing out for easy access.



http://mybearhawk.com/finish/electrical2.html



Regards,

Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS 

BH #682- Mississippi Mudbug

BEARHAWK BUILDER'S MANUALS

http://mybearhawk.com



---

echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:30 pm Post subject: Fuse panel location

Eric Newton wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <enewton57(at)cableone.net>



 Here is a webpage from my Bearhawk builder's site on how I set up my 

 Fuse panel which is hinged and can swing out for easy access.



 http://mybearhawk.com/finish/electrical2.html

I'll try to get some pictures later tonight, but for everyone using 
	


these fuse blocks...



You can get 90* 1/4" push-on fittings.  I (fortunately) have a friend 

with the expensive crimper, 'cause he uses bags of them in his 

business.  These are VERY nice to have when you're trying to fit the 

fuse-block in a tight space like Eric is doing.

Mark Phillips in TN

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 431
Location: Columbia, TN

Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 8:06 pm Post subject: Fuse panel location

In a message dated 10/06/2007 11:32:43 AM Central Daylight Time, walter.fellows(at)gmail.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  If others have builder sites with similar documentation of electrical installations please share them with us. 	


 Similar theme here:

  

 http://websites.expercraft.com/n51pw/index.php?q=log_entry&log_id=5106

  

 Browse thru the previous entries for how I got to this point.  On current project fuse blocks are mounted on sub-panel behind glovebox, which has hinged panel on rear wall that drops down to expose them.  This actually looks like a neater approach so far...

  

 From The PossumWorks in TN

 Mark



See what's new at AOL.com and

_________________
From The PossumWorks...

longg(at)pjm.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:33 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

Great job on documenting your work for the Bearhawk Eric. You should be

an instructor. I will borrow your swing out panel idea or build a swing

down panel using a cut-out portion of my avionics shelf on the co-pilots

side. 



Question: Where did you get the electronic amp sensor? Great idea. Also,

it looks like you did not use a shunt in front of your ANL?



Thanks



--

enewton57(at)cableone.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 4:44 am Post subject: Fuse panel location

Thanks for the kind words.



The donut AMP pickup device goes with my Grand Rapids EIS system (as an 

option you have to purchase).  No shunt needed with the amp device.



Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS

BH #682- Mississippi Mudbug

BEARHAWK BUILDER'S MANUALS

http://mybearhawk.com

---

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