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echristley(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 7:50 am Post subject: Wire specifications

Jeff Page wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 So should I purchase a variety of colours and end up with too much of 

 some colors and not enough of others, or should I stick with my 

 original plan and buy white and spray tracer colors on it ?

 If so, how would I determine that the paint would not degrade the 

 insulation over time ?




	


Go with the multicolors and team with some other builders to limit cutoffs.

If that doesn't work, go with the paint, but buy the new paints that are 

designed to be used on plastic. "Fusion" is what they call it, I think.

mlas(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:09 am Post subject: Wire specifications

Jeff,



I have been doing avionics on and off for the past 20 years.  Back in

the day we only had white to work with.  So we had to use a labeler

(wire printer) which is not practical for the home builder.  Other

alternatives are using shrink tube.  Use very small white and small

clear, write on the white and shrink it on and then clear over it.  You

can just use the white if your not going to be dragging the wire around

for a long time.  All that being said, I would use the colored stuff at

what ever the cost!  It is such a time saver it pays for itself several

times over.  Doing your drawings are a breeze with color wire.  Just

write notes as you go and converting them to a final drawing is a snap.



When I did my most recent airplane a Lancair Legacy RG, I ordered 100

feet of every color in 22awg and 18 awg.  I ordered 500 feet in red,

black, and one other color in 18awg.  As I was getting short on certain

colors I would make a small order to keep from running out.  In the end

I had some extra but not much and you always need wire.



Mike






Ok, Tefzel wire it is.  Wire Masters and Stein both appear to have  

useful information on their web sites and will probably ship to  

Canada.  Thanks.



Looking under the instrument panel of my 1970 Cessna 172, I had  

believed that all aircraft wire was white.  Of course this has made it  

extremely difficult to follow a particular wire somewhere.

I had planned to use a little spray paint to identify wires, but  

looking at the web sites, the Tefzel wire is available in a nice  

rainbow of colors.

So should I purchase a variety of colours and end up with too much of  

some colors and not enough of others, or should I stick with my  

original plan and buy white and spray tracer colors on it ?

If so, how would I determine that the paint would not degrade the  

insulation over time ?



Thanks again !  Jeff Page



 



10/2/2007 11:10 AM

longg(at)pjm.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 9:40 am Post subject: Wire specifications

Stein,

Ok, I have to ask. At what point does this all become impractical and

over-estimated and too much UPS $$ etc. etc. before I call you and say,

just make it for me?



I see this as sort of estimating the lumber I need for a new patio, but

with much less certainty over the final cost. You guys do this all the

time and should be very familiar with estimating, yes?



Glenn



--

gyoung

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

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:08 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

I doubt you could ever overestimate on just wire cost enough to justify

someone else doing it for you. It's a matter of how much you want to pay for

convenience. After wiring my first I realized that having a big spool and

ripping off a generous extra for each wire would save a lot of time, worry

and frustration. I found a surplus 500' spool of 20awg and am using it for

most everything. I bought plenty of the other gauges and types I needed. The

wire was cheap and the convenience is wonderful. On a $70K aircraft the wire

cost is peanuts regardless of waste. On the other hand, I'm using shrink

tube markers which far exceed the cost of the wire itself. But they sure are

pretty and will be well worth it in years hence for troubleshooting. You pay

for convenience in some form or another



Regards,

Greg Young

 



[quote] --

BobsV35B(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:24 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

Good Afternoon Greg,   

 I purchased and have used a shrink tube sleeve style wire  marker.  However, I find the additional bulk at the terminals to be  objectionable and I really miss the convenience of having markings along the  entire bundle length when doing trouble shooting. Does anyone on the list  have any experience using a Kingsley wire marking system either directly or  through a service provider of some sort?

  

 Happy  Skies,



Old Bob

AKA

Bob Siegfried

Ancient Aviator

Stearman  N3977A

Brookeridge Air Park LL22

Downers Grove, IL 60516

630  985-8503



  

 In a message dated 10/5/2007 3:11:02 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  gyoung(at)cs-sol.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  On the    other hand, I'm using shrink

tube markers which far exceed the cost of the    wire itself. But they sure are

pretty and will be well worth it in years    hence for troubleshooting. You pay

for convenience in some form or    another



Regards,

Greg Young

	


 





See what's new="_blank">Make AOL Your Homepage.

  [quote][b]

mprather(at)spro.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:44 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

Definitely agree here.



Plus, after you have wired an airplane you may find that you are the

wiring "guru" around the airport, and as such have opportunities to help

other builders/owners with minor (major) wiring projects.  Having tools

and materiel may provide you with ways to gain good will and to barter for

other things you want...

Regards,



Matt-

[quote] 



 I doubt you could ever overestimate on just wire cost enough to justify

 someone else doing it for you. It's a matter of how much you want to pay

 for

 convenience. After wiring my first I realized that having a big spool and

 ripping off a generous extra for each wire would save a lot of time, worry

 and frustration. I found a surplus 500' spool of 20awg and am using it for

 most everything. I bought plenty of the other gauges and types I needed.

 The

 wire was cheap and the convenience is wonderful. On a $70K aircraft the

 wire

 cost is peanuts regardless of waste. On the other hand, I'm using shrink

 tube markers which far exceed the cost of the wire itself. But they sure

 are

 pretty and will be well worth it in years hence for troubleshooting. You

 pay

 for convenience in some form or another



 Regards,

 Greg Young

> --

gyoung

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

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:09 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

I would prefer wire  stamping too. During my airline days, the shop stamped all the wires in the  harnesses they built. I've heard tales of folks picking up surplus stampers for  a couple hundred bucks but alas, I've never seen one in private hands. Perhaps  just another myth...

  

 Regards,

Greg Young

  



 [quote]         From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com    [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of    BobsV35B(at)aol.com

Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 3:24    PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re:    Re: Wire specifications

   

         Good Afternoon Greg,     

   I purchased and have used a shrink tube sleeve style wire    marker.  However, I find the additional bulk at the terminals to be    objectionable and I really miss the convenience of having markings along the    entire bundle length when doing trouble shooting. Does anyone on the list    have any experience using a Kingsley wire marking system either directly or    through a service provider of some sort?

    

   Happy    Skies,



Old Bob

AKA

Bob Siegfried

Ancient Aviator

Stearman    N3977A

Brookeridge Air Park LL22

Downers Grove, IL 60516

630    985-8503



    

   In a message dated 10/5/2007 3:11:02 P.M. Central Daylight Time,    gyoung(at)cs-sol.com writes:

    	  Quote: 	
		  On the other hand, I'm      using shrink

tube markers which far exceed the cost of the wire itself.      But they sure are

pretty and will be well worth it in years hence for      troubleshooting. You pay

for convenience in some form or      another



Regards,

Greg Young

	


   

[b]

BobsV35B(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:12 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

Good Evening Greg,   

 I know a couple of folks who have WWII era wire marking machines that they  bought on E-Bay. It appears that the big item is to get the appropriate type and  fixtures. That can cost a bundle. I do have some inquiries out and about.  Hopefully something or the other will bear fruit!

  

 Happy  Skies,



Old Bob

AKA

Bob Siegfried

Ancient Aviator

Stearman  N3977A

Brookeridge Air Park LL22

Downers Grove, IL 60516

630  985-8503



  

 In a message dated 10/5/2007 4:11:18 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  gyoung(at)cs-sol.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		     I would prefer wire    stamping too. During my airline days, the shop stamped all the wires in the    harnesses they built. I've heard tales of folks picking up surplus stampers    for a couple hundred bucks but alas, I've never seen one in private hands.    Perhaps just another myth...

    

   Regards,

Greg Young

	


 





See what's new="_blank">Make AOL Your Homepage.

  [quote][b]

stein(at)steinair.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 2:46 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

Don't forget...the reason that those  machines are on ebay is because most of us that had them for years have now sold  them...can't use them on airline or military wire anymore!  For most  aerospace applications you're now required to use something that is not  destructive to the insulator.

  

 We had one for years but finally sold it,  because none of the airlines, military or OEM guys will allow stamped wire  anymore.  Now everything has to be labeled in a non-destructive manner  (lased or inked).

  

 You can still get the ribbon, but the  type/dies/piece parts is a whole 'nother story.  The machines are  HEAVY, somewhat clunky and for the average home / casual user just not a good  solution at all.  Buy a nice lable maker, heatshrink printer or clear  heatshrink and be done with it.  You're looking at over $150 PER DIE (1 die  needed for each wire size) and even more for a set of type &/or  wheels.

  

 Cheers,

 Stein

 [quote]   -----Original    Message-----

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com    [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com]On Behalf Of    BobsV35B(at)aol.com

Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 5:10    PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re:    Re: Wire specifications

         Good Evening Greg,     

   I know a couple of folks who have WWII era wire marking machines that    they bought on E-Bay. It appears that the big item is to get the appropriate    type and fixtures. That can cost a bundle. I do have some inquiries out and    about. Hopefully something or the other will bear fruit!

    

   Happy    Skies,



Old Bob

AKA

Bob Siegfried

Ancient Aviator

Stearman    N3977A

Brookeridge Air Park LL22

Downers Grove, IL 60516

630    985-8503



    

   In a message dated 10/5/2007 4:11:18 P.M. Central Daylight Time,    gyoung(at)cs-sol.com writes:

    	  Quote: 	
		       I would prefer wire      stamping too. During my airline days, the shop stamped all the wires in the      harnesses they built. I've heard tales of folks picking up surplus stampers      for a couple hundred bucks but alas, I've never seen one in private hands.      Perhaps just another myth...

      

     Regards,

Greg Young

	


   





         See what's new="_blank">Make AOL Your Homepage.

 	  Quote: 	
		  



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

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



	
[b]

nuckolls.bob(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 2:40 pm Post subject: Wire specifications

At 04:24 PM 10/5/2007 -0400, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  Good Afternoon Greg,



I purchased and have used a shrink tube sleeve style wire 

marker.  However, I find the additional bulk at the terminals to be 

objectionable and I really miss the convenience of having markings along 

the entire bundle length when doing trouble shooting. Does anyone on the 

list have any experience using a Kingsley wire marking system either 

directly or through a service provider of some sort?


	


   I had a manual machine that I gave away

   some years ago. It was a good way to invest

   $5.00 of labor into a 50-cent piece of wire.



   Bob . . .

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