Matronics Email Lists :: View topic - Electrical wires from engine

Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists

Get Email Distribution Too! FAQ Search Memberlist Usergroups Register

Profile Log in to check your private messages Log in

Electrical wires from engine

Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List

View previous topic :: View next topic

Author Message

Jeyoung65(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 10:49 am Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

How are you routing the electrical wire from the engine to the cabin  through the firewall? Do you use a connector are just add high temp sealant  around the wires. What about using a 90 degree elbow and sealant? Jerry of Ga.   

  

 DO NOT ARCHIVE



Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year. 

  [quote][b]

larry(at)macsmachine.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

Jerry,

Use your step drill and size it for a rubber grommet that will take the 

bundle of wires going thru.  If you plan your wiring, you should only 

need one on either side of

the firewall.

http://www.macsmachine.com/images/electrical/full/electricgroundbus.gif



Larry McFarland 601HDS at www.macsmachine.com



Jeyoung65(at)aol.com wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   How are you routing the electrical wire from the engine to the cabin 

 through the firewall? Do you use a connector are just add high temp 

 sealant around the wires. What about using a 90 degree elbow and 

 sealant? Jerry of Ga.  

  

 DO NOT ARCHIVE

Jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:30 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

Jerry,



I used rubber grommets, steel grommet covers and RTV sealant for the small wires.  I think I have three firewall penetrations for that.  I used the recommended thru-firewall connectors for the high tension wiring and battery to starter cables.



Jay in Dallas 601XL N2630J "Lil Bruiser"



Jeyoung65(at)aol.com wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  How are you routing the electrical wire from the engine to the cabin  through 

the firewall? Do you use a connector are just add high temp sealant  around 

the wires. What about using a 90 degree elbow and sealant? Jerry of Ga.  



DO NOT ARCHIVE



**************Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape.     

http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

I am planning to use the stainless steel penetration kits sold by 



 http://www.epm-avcorp.com/tubeseal.html



 I think it is very important to isolate the engine compartment from the passenger compartment. There has been a lot of discussion on the RV Forums on this subject. See, e.g., 



 http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t 83



 Having said that, unless one is going to protect the steering rod penetrations of the firewall in the Zenith designs to a similar extent, why worry about the electrical line penetrations? I haven't decided what to do about the steering rods. All the recent discussion about tail-draggers has made me reconsider that option.



 Terry



 At 11:03 AM 1/27/2008 -0500, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  How are you routing the electrical wire from the engine to the cabin through the firewall? Do you use a connector are just add high temp sealant around the wires. What about using a 90 degree elbow and sealant? Jerry of Ga.  

  	
 

 

 Terry Phillips

 ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

 Corvallis MT

 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail is finished; working on the wings

 http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/     [quote][b]

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

planejim(at)bellsouth.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 12:45 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

Jerry,

  

 I used rubber grommets and a dab of sealant too where  wires pass through the firewall. Twelve years and 570 hours with no problems  yet. I think you need more than just sealant. Connectors are great but can be  expensive.

  

 do not archive

  

 Jim Hoak

 [quote]   ---

bryanmmartin

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1018

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:01 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

I used a 12 pin Molex connector. I mounted the female side in the firewall as a bulkhead connector. The male part plugs into this from the cabin side of the firewall. On the engine side of the firewall, I riveted a steel shell around the Molex connector and filled it up with high temp RTV to make a fire resistant seal. I got the connectors from Radio Shack, one of the few connectors they sell that I found acceptable for use in my airplane.

For the main battery cable, I bought a pass though connector from Jeg's: http://tinyurl.com/2qclou 



On Jan 27, 2008, at 11:03 AM, Jeyoung65(at)aol.com (Jeyoung65(at)aol.com) wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		    How are you routing the electrical wire from the engine to the cabin through the firewall? Do you use a connector are just add high temp sealant around the wires. What about using a 90 degree elbow and sealant? Jerry of Ga.  

  

 

	




 -- 

Bryan Martin

N61BM, CH 601 XL,

RAM Subaru, Stratus redrive.

do not archive.



 



 [quote][b]

_________________
--
Bryan Martin
N61BM, CH 601 XL, Stratus Subaru.
do not archive.

kmccune

Joined: 22 Sep 2007
Posts: 577
Location: Wisconsin, USA

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:02 pm Post subject: Re: Electrical wires from engine

If you use Molex connectors be sure to check that the male/female pin sizes are correct. I have run into a number of problems at work were the connection was loose and caused the PLC inputs to "flash like a Christmas tree" when a little vibration occurred. But if you pay attention, they are wonderful connections.

_________________
“Always do what you are afraid to do.”
R.W. Emerson (1803-1882)

"Real freedom is the sustained act of being an individual." WW - 2009

"Life is a good deal...it's worth it" Feb 1969
Dorothy McCune

Last edited by kmccune on Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:28 pm; edited 1 time in total

Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: Electrical wires from engine

Feel free to flame the following suggestion but after looking at the kit from epm-avcorp I got an idea.  How about penetrating the firewall with a 1 inch diameter round aluminum flange riveted in place with the flange in the cabin ($6.70 - PN 10350-4) then slipping a section of 1 inch ID firesleeve over it ($10.90 / foot - PN AE102-16).  Part numbers are from AC Spruce.



Pass the bundle of wires thru the firesleeve / flange and pack the interior of the fire sleeve with commonly available firestopping caulk (http://www.touch-n-seal.com/firestop.htm).  A hose clamp over the flange/firesleeve and another around the mouth of the firesleeve alone should give you some protection.



Tim

_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

Jeyoung65(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

Thanks to all who responded to my question. Sounds like some real good  suggestions. No sure how I will go but will use some kind of sealant. Again  THANKS  Jerry of Ga.

  

  In a message dated 1/27/2008 4:03:19 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  bryanmmartin(at)comcast.net writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  I used a    12 pin Molex connector. I mounted the female side in the firewall as a    bulkhead connector. The male part plugs into this from the cabin side of the    firewall. On the engine side of the firewall, I riveted a steel shell around    the Molex connector and filled it up with high temp RTV to make a fire    resistant seal. I got the connectors from Radio Shack, one of the few    connectors they sell that I found acceptable for use in my airplane.    

   For the main battery cable, I bought a pass though connector from    Jeg's: http://tinyurl.com/2qclou     

   

      On Jan 27, 2008, at 11:03 AM, Jeyoung65(at)aol.com (Jeyoung65(at)aol.com) wrote:

    	  Quote: 	
		            How are you routing the electrical wire from the engine to the cabin      through the firewall? Do you use a connector are just add high temp sealant      around the wires. What about using a 90 degree elbow and sealant? Jerry of      Ga.  

      

     

	




         -- 

   Bryan Martin

   N61BM, CH 601 XL,

   RAM Subaru, Stratus redrive.

   do not archive.

   

   



 	  Quote: 	
		  



f="http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

.matronics.com/">http://forums.matronics.com

://www.matronics.com/contribution">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	
	




Start the year off right.  Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year. 

  [quote][b]

Terry Phillips

Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 346
Location: Corvallis, MT

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

Hi Tim



The problem with the aluminum flange is that it melts at the temperature of 

a hydrocarbon fire. When I was a kid working in the hay fields in the 

Little Laramie Valley, a diesel fuel tank truck caught fire at one of the 

oil wells in the neighborhood. The aluminum from the tank was left as 

frozen puddles on the ground. It must have made a big impression on me 

since I remember it (vividly) 50 years later.



An aluminum flange would be partially protected by the fire sleeve. It 

might or might not melt. I don't have any personal experience with an 

engine fire in an airplane, thank God. But I think I'll buy a couple of the 

EPM penetrators for my 601 just for my own comfort. And, there is still the 

question of what to do about the steering rod pass thorough. Each builder 

must decide how to handle these items. Obviously, a very knowledgeable 

aeronautical engineer, Chris Heintz, was not very worried about the 

steering rod holes in the fire wall.



I don't think there is a "right" answer for everyone. Each builder must 

decide what is their right answer. That's the beauty of experimental aircraft.



Terry



At 04:39 PM 1/27/2008 -0800, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Feel free to flame the following suggestion but after looking at the kit 

from epm-avcorp I got an idea.  How about penetrating the firewall with a 

1 inch diameter round aluminum flange riveted in place with the flange in 

the cabin ($6.70 - PN 10350-4) then slipping a section of 1 inch ID 

firesleeve over it ($10.90 / foot - PN AE102-16).  Part numbers are from 

AC Spruce.



Pass the bundle of wires thru the firesleeve / flange and pack the 

interior of the fire sleeve with commonly available firestopping caulk 

(http://www.touch-n-seal.com/firestop.htm).  A hose clamp over the 

flange/firesleeve and another around the mouth of the firesleeve alone 

should give you some protection.



Tim


	




Terry Phillips

ttp44~at~rkymtn.net

Corvallis MT

601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail is finished; working on the wings

http://www.mykitlog.com/N47TP/

_________________
Terry Phillips
Corvallis, MT
ttp44<at>rkymtn.net
Zenith 601XL/Jab 3300 slow build kit - Tail feathers done; working on the wings.

John Bolding

Joined: 23 May 2006
Posts: 281

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:56 am Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

Easy to make the flange from a piece of steel tubing welded to a washer, any 

size you want.



 Next door neighbors hangar burned to the ground about 20 yrs ago, REALLY 

hot fire and long time before Fire crew showed up. Cherokee 180 was reduced 

to a sea of alum BB's and all the steel, glass parts were laid out on hangar 

floor in shape of airplane,  should have taken a pic of it.  LO&SLO   John

 	  Quote: 	
		   The problem with the aluminum flange is that it melts at the temperature 

 of a hydrocarbon fire. When I was a kid working in the hay fields in the 

 Little Laramie Valley, a diesel fuel tank truck caught fire at one of the 

 oil wells in the neighborhood. The aluminum from the tank was left as 

 frozen puddles on the ground. It must have made a big impression on me 

 since I remember it (vividly) 50 years later.



 An aluminum flange would be partially protected by the fire sleeve. It 

 might or might not melt. I don't have any personal experience with an 

 engine fire in an airplane, thank God. But I think I'll buy a couple of 

 the EPM penetrators for my 601 just for my own comfort. And, there is 

 still the question of what to do about the steering rod pass thorough. 

 Each builder must decide how to handle these items. Obviously, a very 

 knowledgeable aeronautical engineer, Chris Heintz, was not very worried 

 about the steering rod holes in the fire wall.

amyvega2005(at)earthlink.
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2008 1:33 pm Post subject: Electrical wires from engine

just covefr the firewall side with Red RTV.  Thats it.  Mine go through firewall with a rubber grommet and covered with Red RTV.



Juan



--

Display posts from previous:

	Matronics Email Lists Forum Index -> Zenith-List	All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Page 1 of 1

Jump to:

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum