National Aeronca Association Bulletin Board

I getting ready to cover my wings after a spar rebuilt and replacement. I'm debating on running wires in my wings for nav lights. I don't have an electrical system, but you never know what the future may hold for my wings. So, any opinions? Also, if I decide to run wires what size do I use?

No question about it and would run the wires no matter what. Cost is minimal, weight the same and its a real bear to do once the wing is covered.

Hopefully someone else can chime in with a wire size.

18ga should handle most nav lights, and shielded wire would be better. Have you got the mounting brackets that attach to the tip bow? Better make sure you can find a light that will fit them; that way you don't have to add to or modify that nicely covered wing in a couple years.

Will you ever fly the airplane at night?
Will you add an electrical system?
Will you land at a controlled field where you need lights?

nkh

I probably wont set out on a night flight, but it would be nice not to have to race the sunset back to the airport. I don't have nor am I familiar with the mounting brackets required for the lights. The only way I would put an electrical system on it is if I changed the engine out and went with a c85 or 0-200. But thats far far fetched. I don't know, its a day VFR airplane. If I need brackets and wires for some lights, I'll probably never use, then maybe I just won't start down this path at all.

Sky, ...I'd put'em, one of the best times to fly is late afternoon, the sun sets, it's cool, wind's calm, it's a great time, touch down around dusk.
Also, it would be a good selling point and, if nothing else (flying that slow), it would be nice for people to see you and no run up your butt
I got'em, Jim

Nathan

Could you explain what purpose is served by using shielded wire for nav lights?

Thanks

Jerry Jackson
7ECA
8T8

The nav lights will pull 5-10 amps, and that can create static/noise in the radio; decreasing the usable range. Shielded wire can cut down the noise.

nkh

If you are interested in doing nav lights, you might look at the new LED lights. They are quite a bit more expensive, but they only draw about 10 % the power and almost never burn out. It is more reasonable to run them on a complete loss electrical system because they won't run your battery down for a long time.

I am a big fan of nav lights and strobes for the visibility, even in the day, especially when mixing it up with traffic or in marginal VFR conditions.

According to my 43-13, a 20 foot run of 18 gage is good for 4 amps, unless you get a real pig of a light that should be enough. With an LED light, I think you only need about .35 amps. You could do that with 22 gage easily. (I don't like using much smaller because it is just too easy to break it)

On the shielding question, if you are not using an alternator or generator, there is no alternating current in the wire, so it really it wouldn't have to be shielded. (The voltage regulator isn't perfect in filtering out all the alternating current) If you add an alternator, shielding might be nice, but most airplanes left the factory without it. I am not all that familiar with the camps, but the Sedan didn't have shielded wire to the nav lights from the factory.

Would it be unreasonable to assume that the high intensity discharge from a strobe light, use the path created by the nav light wires strung thru the wings and tail back to the cabin 12 volt distributation point as an entry point for EmI (electro magnetic interference)to radiate in the area of the comm radio? I for one would go for shielded wire.

Del

If you have any electronic devices (i.e., radio) you need shielded wire.

Doug