---------------------------------------------------------- Avionics-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 10/27/04: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:01 AM - Re: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 (Clay Smith) 2. 06:20 AM - silver solder connectors (Brian Lloyd) 3. 06:42 AM - Re: silver solder connectors (Brian Lloyd) 4. 07:48 AM - Re: Re: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 (cgalley) 5. 11:41 AM - Re: silver solder connectors (Joe Bienkowski) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:01:14 AM PST US From: "Clay Smith" Subject: Avionics-List: Re: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Clay Smith" Should all antenna/coax cable connectors be silver soldered? ----- Original Message ----- From: "Avionics-List Digest Server" Subject: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 > * > > ================================================== > Online Versions of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================== > > Today's complete Avionics-List Digest can also be found in either of the > two Web Links listed below. The .html file includes the Digest formatted > in HTML for viewing with a web browser and features Hyperlinked Indexes > and Message Navigation. The .txt file includes the plain ASCII version > of the Avionics-List Digest and can be viewed with a generic text editor > such as Notepad or with a web browser. > > HTML Version: > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/avionics-list/Digest.Avionics-List.2004-10-18.html > > Text Version: > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/avionics-list/Digest.Avionics-List.2004-10-18.txt > > > ================================================ > EMail Version of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================ > > > Avionics-List Digest Archive > --- > Total Messages Posted Mon 10/18/04: 3 > > > Today's Message Index: > ---------------------- > > 1. 11:31 AM - Re: Antenna testing (Garth Shearing) > 2. 04:28 PM - Re: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter the lights go out.. (Brian Kraut) > 3. 09:20 PM - Re: Re: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter the... (ECLarsen81@aol.com) > > > ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 11:31:21 AM PST US > From: "Garth Shearing" > Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Antenna testing > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Garth Shearing" > > You probably already have an answer. However, if you don't have a VSWR > meter like most amateur radio types and avionics shops do, you can test with > a multimeter and find most faults. Assuming the fault is definitely in the > antenna, measure the dc resistance between the antenna connector and > ground - the shield part of the connector. This should read an open circuit > or very high resistance. This assumes that your antenna is the quarter-wave > type which they are almost always are. If the resistance is very low or a > short, there is probably a fault in the antenna connector or elsewhere in > the antenna. It may be very difficult to fix. If this is the case, get a > new antenna - duh! If the resistance does measure high to infinity, check > the resistance from the centre on the antenna connector to somewhere on the > antenna pole itself. You may have to scrape off some paint or insulation to > do this, but the antenna is probably no good anyway. If the resistance is > high, there is an open somewhere in the antenna between the connector centre > pin and the antenna itself. You have to get inside to find the open and > solder/silver solder it. > > These faults are extremely rare, though. Have fun. > > Garth Shearing > VariEze and 90% RV6A > Victoria BC Canada > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Clay Smith" > Subject: Avionics-List: Antenna testing > > > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Clay Smith" > > > > > I just got my Icom IC-A200 (purchased new) radio hook-up in my homebuilt > and tried testing it while the airplane was still on the ground. I live in > a fairly remote area so I wasn't too surprised not to hear any audio chat > So for a quick check I tried listening in on 121.5 while tripping the ELT > for a couple of seconds and only received a low power signal. While > trouble-shooting the problem I tried disconnecting the antenna wire > connector from the radio antenna during the ELT test and to my surprise the > signal became very strong with the antenna disconnected ...? Now I'm > suspecting the antenna which was bought new, used once and removed and > stored in my basement for 9 years. Is there an easy way to check an > antenna? > > > > Thanks in advance for any help. > > > > Clay Smith > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 04:28:14 PM PST US > From: "Brian Kraut" > Subject: Avionics-List: RE: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter > the lights go out.. > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Brian Kraut" > > You should never start the plane with your electronics turned on. You get a > big inductive spike when ou do that. > > Brian Kraut > Engineering Alternatives, Inc. > www.engalt.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Matt > Luthi > Subject: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter the lights > go out.. > > > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Matt Luthi" > > > I just connected my new B&C starter motor to the electrical system and > tested it without the flywheel installed. When I engage the starter motor > all my gadgets (GRT EFIS, EIS, Skymap IIIc GPS) don't like this very much > and reboot. It looks to me as if the bus voltage drops too much for them to > keep running. This is only just for the moment when I engage the starter. I > kept it running while it ran all the electronic gizmos come up again fine. > > 1. I have a new Odyseey PC680 battery, charged, indicating 12.8V > 2. The EFIS and EIS are always on when the master switch is engaged (no > avionics master) > 3. I followed the "all electric aircraft on a budget" approach religiously. > > Questions: > 1. Is this "normal" behaivour? > 2. I have dual Lightspeed ignition without a backup battery - I have the > SD-8 PM Standby Alternator for redundancy but now after I have read the > posts about the "kickback" problem experienced on EI systems during cranking > and resulting low voltage I am not so sure that this is a good setup for my > starter motor. Should I wire a backup battery with a diode to one of the LSE > units? > > > d entirely through the Contributions > > > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ > > > Time: 09:20:37 PM PST US > From: ECLarsen81@aol.com > Subject: Re: Avionics-List: RE: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter > the... > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: ECLarsen81@aol.com > > Adding a W31 (P&B) series toggle breaker as an avionics master switch would > keep you well within your budget, about $16 from Spruce. Lots cheaper than > avionics repairs. > Ed Larsen > Ypsi, MI > > In a message dated 10/18/2004 7:29:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > brian.kraut@engalt.com writes: > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Brian Kraut" > > You should never start the plane with your electronics turned on. You get a > big inductive spike when ou do that. > > Brian Kraut > Engineering Alternatives, Inc. > www.engalt.com > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Matt > Luthi > Subject: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter the lights > go out.. > > > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Matt Luthi" > > > I just connected my new B&C starter motor to the electrical system and > tested it without the flywheel installed. When I engage the starter motor > all my gadgets (GRT EFIS, EIS, Skymap IIIc GPS) don't like this very much > and reboot. It looks to me as if the bus voltage drops too much for them to > keep running. This is only just for the moment when I engage the starter. I > kept it running while it ran all the electronic gizmos come up again fine. > > 1. I have a new Odyseey PC680 battery, charged, indicating 12.8V > 2. The EFIS and EIS are always on when the master switch is engaged (no > avionics master) > 3. I followed the "all electric aircraft on a budget" approach religiously. > > Questions: > 1. Is this "normal" behaivour? > 2. I have dual Lightspeed ignition without a backup battery - I have the > SD-8 PM Standby Alternator for redundancy but now after I have read the > posts about the "kickback" problem experienced on EI systems during cranking > and resulting low voltage I am not so sure that this is a good setup for my > starter motor. Should I wire a backup battery with a diode to one of the LSE > units? > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:20:22 AM PST US From: Brian Lloyd Subject: Avionics-List: silver solder connectors --> Avionics-List message posted by: Brian Lloyd On Oct 25, 2004, at 12:08 AM, Clay Smith wrote: > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Clay Smith" > > > Should all antenna/coax cable connectors be silver soldered? No. Ordinary lead/tin solder is just fine. I prefer 64/37 "eutectic" solder as it goes from liquid to solid without passing through the plastic phase. This tends to result in better joints. It is important to ensure that you moisture-proof all joints. Use either weatherproof connectors (BNC and 'N' are supposed to be) or use a sealant like Coax-Seal over the connector and coax. Brian Lloyd 6501 Red Hook Plaza brianl@lloyd.com Suite 201 +1.340.998.9447 St. Thomas, VI 00802 There is a time to laud one's country and a time to protest. A good citizen is prepared to do either as the need arises. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:42:21 AM PST US From: Brian Lloyd Subject: Re: Avionics-List: silver solder connectors --> Avionics-List message posted by: Brian Lloyd On Oct 27, 2004, at 9:19 AM, Brian Lloyd wrote: > --> Avionics-List message posted by: Brian Lloyd > > > On Oct 25, 2004, at 12:08 AM, Clay Smith wrote: > >> --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Clay Smith" >> >> >> Should all antenna/coax cable connectors be silver soldered? > > No. Ordinary lead/tin solder is just fine. I prefer 64/37 "eutectic" That should read "63/37" Brian Lloyd 6501 Red Hook Plaza brianl@lloyd.com Suite 201 +1.340.998.9447 St. Thomas, VI 00802 There is a time to laud one's country and a time to protest. A good citizen is prepared to do either as the need arises. ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:48:30 AM PST US From: "cgalley" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Re: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 --> Avionics-List message posted by: "cgalley" I would think that silver solder is not necessary and might even be a poor idea as with the additional heat one could destroy the spacing between the center and shield. I know that I destroyed (melted) enough of the dielectric on a mag ground wire by just trying to solder a pig-tail ground on the shield that the engine would not start. Ohm meter still said no connection but the engine would not start until the shielded wire was replaced. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Clay Smith" Subject: Avionics-List: Re: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Clay Smith" > > Should all antenna/coax cable connectors be silver soldered? > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Avionics-List Digest Server" > To: "Avionics-List Digest List" > Subject: Avionics-List Digest: 3 Msgs - 10/18/04 > > > > * > > > > ================================================== > > Online Versions of Today's List Digest Archive > > ================================================== > > > > Today's complete Avionics-List Digest can also be found in either of the > > two Web Links listed below. The .html file includes the Digest formatted > > in HTML for viewing with a web browser and features Hyperlinked Indexes > > and Message Navigation. The .txt file includes the plain ASCII version > > of the Avionics-List Digest and can be viewed with a generic text editor > > such as Notepad or with a web browser. > > > > HTML Version: > > > > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/avionics-list/Digest.Avionics-List.2004-10-18.html > > > > Text Version: > > > > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/avionics-list/Digest.Avionics-List.2004-10-18.txt > > > > > > ================================================ > > EMail Version of Today's List Digest Archive > > ================================================ > > > > > > Avionics-List Digest Archive > > --- > > Total Messages Posted Mon 10/18/04: 3 > > > > > > Today's Message Index: > > ---------------------- > > > > 1. 11:31 AM - Re: Antenna testing (Garth Shearing) > > 2. 04:28 PM - Re: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter > the lights go out.. (Brian Kraut) > > 3. 09:20 PM - Re: Re: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C > starter the... (ECLarsen81@aol.com) > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 1 > _____________________________________ > > > > > > Time: 11:31:21 AM PST US > > From: "Garth Shearing" > > Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Antenna testing > > > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Garth Shearing" > > > > > You probably already have an answer. However, if you don't have a VSWR > > meter like most amateur radio types and avionics shops do, you can test > with > > a multimeter and find most faults. Assuming the fault is definitely in > the > > antenna, measure the dc resistance between the antenna connector and > > ground - the shield part of the connector. This should read an open > circuit > > or very high resistance. This assumes that your antenna is the > quarter-wave > > type which they are almost always are. If the resistance is very low or a > > short, there is probably a fault in the antenna connector or elsewhere in > > the antenna. It may be very difficult to fix. If this is the case, get a > > new antenna - duh! If the resistance does measure high to infinity, check > > the resistance from the centre on the antenna connector to somewhere on > the > > antenna pole itself. You may have to scrape off some paint or insulation > to > > do this, but the antenna is probably no good anyway. If the resistance is > > high, there is an open somewhere in the antenna between the connector > centre > > pin and the antenna itself. You have to get inside to find the open and > > solder/silver solder it. > > > > These faults are extremely rare, though. Have fun. > > > > Garth Shearing > > VariEze and 90% RV6A > > Victoria BC Canada > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Clay Smith" > > Subject: Avionics-List: Antenna testing > > > > > > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Clay Smith" > > > > > > > > I just got my Icom IC-A200 (purchased new) radio hook-up in my homebuilt > > and tried testing it while the airplane was still on the ground. I live > in > > a fairly remote area so I wasn't too surprised not to hear any audio chat > > So for a quick check I tried listening in on 121.5 while tripping the ELT > > for a couple of seconds and only received a low power signal. While > > trouble-shooting the problem I tried disconnecting the antenna wire > > connector from the radio antenna during the ELT test and to my surprise > the > > signal became very strong with the antenna disconnected ...? Now I'm > > suspecting the antenna which was bought new, used once and removed and > > stored in my basement for 9 years. Is there an easy way to check an > > antenna? > > > > > > Thanks in advance for any help. > > > > > > Clay Smith > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 2 > _____________________________________ > > > > > > Time: 04:28:14 PM PST US > > From: "Brian Kraut" > > Subject: Avionics-List: RE: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C > starter > > the lights go out.. > > > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Brian Kraut" > > > > > You should never start the plane with your electronics turned on. You get > a > > big inductive spike when ou do that. > > > > Brian Kraut > > Engineering Alternatives, Inc. > > www.engalt.com > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Matt > > Luthi > > Subject: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter the lights > > go out.. > > > > > > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Matt Luthi" > > > > > > > I just connected my new B&C starter motor to the electrical system and > > tested it without the flywheel installed. When I engage the starter motor > > all my gadgets (GRT EFIS, EIS, Skymap IIIc GPS) don't like this very much > > and reboot. It looks to me as if the bus voltage drops too much for them > to > > keep running. This is only just for the moment when I engage the starter. > I > > kept it running while it ran all the electronic gizmos come up again fine. > > > > 1. I have a new Odyseey PC680 battery, charged, indicating 12.8V > > 2. The EFIS and EIS are always on when the master switch is engaged (no > > avionics master) > > 3. I followed the "all electric aircraft on a budget" approach > religiously. > > > > Questions: > > 1. Is this "normal" behaivour? > > 2. I have dual Lightspeed ignition without a backup battery - I have the > > SD-8 PM Standby Alternator for redundancy but now after I have read the > > posts about the "kickback" problem experienced on EI systems during > cranking > > and resulting low voltage I am not so sure that this is a good setup for > my > > starter motor. Should I wire a backup battery with a diode to one of the > LSE > > units? > > > > > > d entirely through the Contributions > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 3 > _____________________________________ > > > > > > Time: 09:20:37 PM PST US > > From: ECLarsen81@aol.com > > Subject: Re: Avionics-List: RE: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C > starter > > the... > > > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: ECLarsen81@aol.com > > > > Adding a W31 (P&B) series toggle breaker as an avionics master switch > would > > keep you well within your budget, about $16 from Spruce. Lots cheaper than > > avionics repairs. > > Ed Larsen > > Ypsi, MI > > > > In a message dated 10/18/2004 7:29:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > > brian.kraut@engalt.com writes: > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Brian Kraut" > > > > > You should never start the plane with your electronics turned on. You get > a > > big inductive spike when ou do that. > > > > Brian Kraut > > Engineering Alternatives, Inc. > > www.engalt.com > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com]On Behalf Of Matt > > Luthi > > Subject: AeroElectric-List: when running my new B&C starter the lights > > go out.. > > > > > > --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Matt Luthi" > > > > > > > I just connected my new B&C starter motor to the electrical system and > > tested it without the flywheel installed. When I engage the starter motor > > all my gadgets (GRT EFIS, EIS, Skymap IIIc GPS) don't like this very much > > and reboot. It looks to me as if the bus voltage drops too much for them > to > > keep running. This is only just for the moment when I engage the starter. > I > > kept it running while it ran all the electronic gizmos come up again fine. > > > > 1. I have a new Odyseey PC680 battery, charged, indicating 12.8V > > 2. The EFIS and EIS are always on when the master switch is engaged (no > > avionics master) > > 3. I followed the "all electric aircraft on a budget" approach > religiously. > > > > Questions: > > 1. Is this "normal" behaivour? > > 2. I have dual Lightspeed ignition without a backup battery - I have the > > SD-8 PM Standby Alternator for redundancy but now after I have read the > > posts about the "kickback" problem experienced on EI systems during > cranking > > and resulting low voltage I am not so sure that this is a good setup for > my > > starter motor. Should I wire a backup battery with a diode to one of the > LSE > > units? > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 11:41:57 AM PST US From: Joe Bienkowski Subject: Re: Avionics-List: silver solder connectors --> Avionics-List message posted by: Joe Bienkowski Hello, Brian is CORRECT about the 63/37 eutectic solder. This is the best solder for ALL electronic work as it is the LOWEST melting point of ALL tin/lead solder joints! Joe Brian Lloyd wrote: > --> Avionics-List message posted by: Brian Lloyd > > No. Ordinary lead/tin solder is just fine. I prefer 64/37 "eutectic" > solder as it goes from liquid to solid without passing through the > plastic phase. This tends to result in better joints.