So what have other Europa owners done about wires thro the firewall. Bob
Nuckolls article is very interesting although he is looking at metal
aircraft (no doubt the same philosophy applies to the phenolic firewall in
the Europa). Is the suggestion that 'firestop' putty is used and if so where
do you get it from.
Does the same idea apply where you use a bolt thro the wall - should this be
caulked in with putty? I was guided to put a threaded bar thro the firewall
for the positive and negative feeds (my battery is in the back) but no
mention was made of fire precautions.
As ever one question shows how large the knowledge gap is!!!!
Steve Pitt #403
----- Original Message -----
From: "M.J. Gregory" <m.j.gregory@talk21.com>
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Wiring query
>
> Steve,
>
> Yes, physical protection includes everything necessary to prevent the
> insulation being breached. This includes the routing of any slack in the
> cables to allow you to remove the panel and disconnect the cables -- where
> does the slack cable rest when the panel is refitted? Could it be
pinched,
> or chafe on anything?
>
> Since you raise the subject of firewall penetration, I strongly commend
Bob
> Nuckolls' AeroElectric Connection and his website
> http://www.aeroelectric.com. Look for the article on firewall
penetration.
> You may not wish to use quite as elaborate a form of protection as
required
> for certified aircraft, but he clearly recommends Firestop/Firesleeve to
> withstand the full 2000 degrees F of a fuel fire. I suspect silicone
> compound may not match this.
>
> Just to clear up a further point from the comments following Simon's
> original posting, the battery isolator solenoid circuit is indeed
> permanently connected to the positive side of the battery, but it is not
> 'energised' until the ground connection is made by the master switch. I'm
> sorry this was not clear from my previous response. On an aircraft this
is
> usually the only power (as opposed to avionics control, e.g. PTT) circuit
> where the switch is on the ground side. Because the isolator is normally
> located immediately adjacent to the battery, no electrical circuit
> protection is needed, although good physical protection such as neoprene
> covers should be provided on any terminals that are permanently live.
>
> Regards
>
> Mike
> Europa Club Safety Officer
<steven.pitt2@ntlworld.com>
>
> Mike - when you say 'physical protection' are you talking about anti
> chaffing or 'p' clip support? I have put both of my cbs in the panel but
> have tried to anchor every 3-4''.
> Where I breach the firewall I have put in a proper bulkhead seal which I
> will fill with silicone once the panel is finally in.
> Steve Pitt #403
>
> >
> > The wiring to engage the isolator is not given a fuse or circuit breaker
> to protect it because it is on the ground side of the device. In
contrast,
> there is protection for the starter relay solenoid circuit because that is
> supplying a positive to cause it to engage.
> >
> >
> > if the batt master CB is pulled, power is removed from the aircraft but
> the isolator remains energised (which I think is correct according to the
> diagram). Does it matter that there is no fuse/cb protecting the
isolator?
>
>
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