Switches: spade vs screw terminals

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Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby Bryan Cotton » Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:06 pm

All,
The switches I got from Spruce are all spade terminals. I have used that style for auto and hobby use. At Sikorsky and Schweizer we always had screw terminals on our aircraft. What are you using? Anybody have trouble free time with spade switches?
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby saddler » Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:59 pm

All of my switches are spade type from Bandc.aero and have been flawless for 105 hrs.
Sean Saddler
Troy, OH
Waiex #165
First Flight 10/16/2015
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby SonexN76ET » Sat Mar 04, 2017 8:28 pm

I specified screw terminals for my Sonex. The Magnitrons have spade terminals. With the screw terminals you still run the risk of a screw vibrating loose. On my boat I have spade terminals and have never had one come loose. I think it depends on individual preference.

Jake
Sonex Tri Gear, Rotax 912 ULS, Sensenich 3 Blade Ground Adjustable Propeller
MGL Velocity EMS, Garmin GTR 200 Comm, GTX 335 ADS B Out Transponder
ILevil AW AHRS & ADS-B In, UAvionix AV20S
200+ hours previously with Aerovee engine
Sarasota, Florida
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby wlarson861 » Sun Mar 05, 2017 2:58 am

All terminals are "Fast on" type spade terminals. Over 370 hours without a hitch.
Bill Larson
N861SX
Sonex, polished, tail wheel, Generation 4 Jabiru 3300
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby peter anson » Sun Mar 05, 2017 3:15 am

Spade terminals everywhere except the central earth block. I bought a bag of good quality soldered spade terminals and matching insulating boots. No problems in 295 hours.

Peter
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby builderflyer » Sun Mar 05, 2017 10:21 am

Bryan,

All spade terminals on switches and the fuse block in my Sonex for 12 years and over 500 hours of flying with no issues. Recently, I attempted to remove a couple of connectors from the spade terminals and accidentally pulled the wires from the connectors instead......if properly installed, those connectors aren't going anywhere on their own.

Art
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby NWade » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:25 am

A quick note: The spade terminals available at some auto-parts stores (or the auto-parts section of your local big box store or home improvement warehouse) do not have as tight of a fit as the ones being sold at places like B&C Specialty, SteinAir, etc. The auto-parts-store/home-improvement terminals also usually have a harder plastic insulation that cracks when you crimp it and will fall off later.

Choose high-quality connectors with transparent/translucent insulation (which is softer and won't crack or fall off when you crimp it). Here's an example of the good terminals, over at B&C.

Here's an example of the bad terminals (DO NOT USE). Note the cheap solid plastic insulation on the terminals.

Take care,

--Noel
Sonex #1339
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby Bryan Cotton » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:27 am

All,
Thanks for the replies. Noel, you read my next question before I could type it!
Bryan Cotton
Poplar Grove, IL C77
Waiex 191 N191YX
Taildragger, Aerovee, acro ailerons
dual sticks with sport trainer controls
Prebuilt spars and machined angle kit
Year 2 flying and approaching 200 hours December 23
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Location: C77

Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby sonex892. » Sun Mar 05, 2017 4:45 pm

Hi Bryan
I am happy to use either screw or spade. With either lug the most important thing is the method of crimping. Use only a good quality ratchet crimper. If you are a novice electrician use wire strippers. Resist the temptation to twist the strands prior to crimping. No lug, no matter what the wire size requires, the wire to be twisted. Do not nick or scratch the copper.
I do agree with Noel regarding using good quality lugs. I'm not sold on the fact that translucent are any better than the harder red / blue / yellow lugs. If you use good quality crimpers and lugs you will not crack the plastic.
Steve
Sonex 892
Steve
Lazair kit 1981 sold
Sonerai 2LS plansbuilt 2003 sold
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Re: Switches: spade vs screw terminals

Postby wlarson861 » Sun Mar 05, 2017 11:50 pm

The other thing about the good quality Fast-on's from aircraft suppliers is they have a small flared piece that is designed to capture the wire insulation. The cheapies don't have that and loose holding strength.
Bill Larson
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