From: "John Barrett" <2thman@olympus.net>
To: "Lancair List" <lancair.list@olsusa.com>
Subject: Electrical
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 11:51:50 -0000
Message-ID: <000501be5747$3deba320$6aed85c6@station4>
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For my L-IVP, I'd like to have electrical systems that are fairly automatic

and don't require much manipulation.  Also I'd like to have them somewhat

foolproof so that it's not easy to fry the avionics or burn out the pitot

heat element, for instance.  In other words, I want the system to make it

difficult to leave an avionics master on while cranking the engine and so

on.  Automatic lighting would be desirable as well.


While I was vacationing in Mexico last week I pondered these ideas and did

some drawings of schematics that I hope will achieve some of these goals.  I

hope that some of you wiring wizards will take a look at this and tell me if

the ideas are reasonable.  All auto systems will have an override ON and

override OFF feature.  Each one will have a three position switch with AUTO

in the center, ON in the up, and OFF in the down position.  There will be a

caution indicator in the annunciator panel to alert when any of the

switches have been moved out of the AUTO position.


1. Lighting bus - for all outside lights and maybe panel lights as well -

There would be an adjustable photo cell ambient light detector that would

control  power to this bus through a relay - so that lighting systems would

be activated in appropriate low light conditions and would be deactivated in

bright light conditions.


2. Landing Light - attached to nose gear - will have interconnect with the

nose gear down microswitch so that it's energized when the gear is extended.


3. Taxi Lights -  one on each outboard wing leading edge.  power will be

routed by relay through the 65 knot pressure  switch so that below 65 knots,

the lights will shine continuously.  Above 65 knots, power will be routed

through a flasher relay such that the lights flash on and off, alternately,

as an anti-collision aid.


4. Ignition - the Engineair V8 electronic ignition system will incorporate

an automotive style keyed ignition switch that will have an accessory

position which will activate interior lights, some exterior lights,

entertainment system (CD/rado) and the Garmin GNS 430, which includes GPS,

COMM, etc.  In the starter relay  there will be an electrical cutout feature

that will disconnect power to all systems not necessary to start the engine.

This will be similar to the way automobile ignition systems usually cut out

lights, radio, A/C etc. during the start sequence.


5. Pitot Heat - there will be a thermostatic control that will activate the

pitot heat element when the OAT falls below 40 degrees F.


I'd greatly appreciate comments from anyone with thoughts on this subject,

(+) or (-),  and, especially from those who've used any of these ideas.


John Barrett