Sonex lights and wire choice

[Sonex1517]

I got some great schematics from Kip, and am just throwing this out there for others to toss in their ideas.

What have folks chosen for their Sonex external lighting? Currently I am looking at Aveo Powerburst and the Aveo all-up "Bling" wingtips.

What wire type (shielded/unshielded) and gauge have you used?

Anyone put a landing light (or two) in? What did you install, where, and what challenges did you run into?

As I start the wings I am trying to plan ahead...also looking at how to make the Aveo wingtips removable once I install them...have some ideas and am interested in the experiences of others.

thanks!


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Starting on the wings
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[MichaelFarley56]

I went with the Aveo Powerburst system, bought from Aircraft Spruce. I have not tried them yet so I can't comment on brightness but I love the fact they're small, light, and nearly indestructible.

In order to run wires, when I was installing the forward ribs I enlarged the aft tooling holes (closest to the spar) with a unibit so that I could put some rubber grommets in the holes. I then ran a few strings through the grommets, taped the ends to the main spar, and finished the wings. After everything was installed I taped the wires (can't remember the gauge, but I followed the light instructions. Maybe 18 or 20 gauge) to the string and pulled the wires through the grommets. If I were going to do it again I would just run the wires instead of strings.

Once I fit the wingtips I used a whole saw to cut out an opening in the wingtip and then used nut plates to make the mounts removable if needed. I can't remember where I got the mounts but someone makes them for Sonex wingtips and I think they're around $25ish.


As I said, I would certainly go with LEDs now that they're so cheap and they never burn out, and I would also run wires in your ribs now before you install the skins. Some have ran wires in the aft ribs but I went with the front ribs and am glad I did.

[MichaelFarley56]

Oh yeah, I also did not go with landing lights but I think Duckworks makes a Sonex package. I didn't want to add the weight and I don't plan on a whole lot of night flying. If I ever need to add lights I'll probably fiberglass some housings into the cowling.

If you decide to go with landing lights though I would recommend the Duckworks system. A lot of the Vans RV guys use their lights and they work really well.

Check this out:

http://www.duckworksav.com/SXLightKits.html

[Sonex1517]

thanks - not planning on night flying, but under the Chicago class B airspace, having extra visibility is a common sense idea. I was told by Aveo to use 18 ga shielded to the tips.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Starting on the wings
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Sonex1517]

Michael

When you ran your wires where did you route the tubes from the pitot tube? Through the same holes?

Do you have any photos?

Just gettting going on the wing assembly and trying to make sure I have it all planned out....ordered a landing light today (thanks for the link!) and have the wire for the nav lights.

Thanks...


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Aerovee/taildragger
Starting on the wings
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[MichaelFarley56]

Hi Robbie,

I ran my pitot tube line the way as depicted in the plans, which is via the aft main lightening hole in the forward wing ribs. I think I riveted on metal tabs on the first 4 ribs for the clear plastic tube for the pitot tube.

For the electrical wires, I ended up taking each nose rib on both wings and using a unibit I enlarged the stock tooling hole (back by the flange) until a rubber grommet would fit in the hole, then installed the grommet and ran a piece of string through the grommets. If I were to do things over, I would simply buy some wire and run that through the grommets prior to riveting on the forward skin. Then just tape up the wire and when you fit the wings and/or tip you can pull wire through as needed.

Pretty simple and didnt add much weight. If you're going with the Aveo's I think 18 gauge is plenty of wire. Also, for a ground I simply grounded the wire to the outer most end rib...seems to work fine.

I'll look tonight and see if I took any pictures.

[N111YX]

Here's another way to run the wires. It's probably not the easiest, cheapest, or lightest way but none of those words describe my Waiex... :oops:

[Gripdana]

I installed the Duckworks LED landing lights for the Sonex. The instructions were easy to follow and I had no issues during the install. I put them in after the wings were done. I ran the cable in the forward wing ribs aft tooling hole. I also installed the AveoFlash nav lights and the Aveo power burst nav/strobe in the tail. All LED. I hope to have everything hooked up in the fall. I'll let you know how it all comes out.

[Darick]

ACS has Aircraft Anti-Collision Strobe Light, 45w, 1350 LM CREE LEDs, on sale for $46.00. Part number 11-12424.

Emitter Type: White Cree LED's
Total Emitters: 9 x 5w
Power: 45W
Rated Voltage: 10-15VDC
Draws <280ma @ 14.2VDC
Luminous Flux: 1350 LM/108cdl
Color Temperature: Bright White
1 mode: fast strobe (100ms)
Base Type: 12"/30cm twin leads
Application: Aircraft Anti-Collision Strobe Light
Non-PMA'd
Contains 1 light bulb per pack
Dimensions: 2.7 in x 1.2 in (60 mm x 30 mm)
Weight: 0.28 oz (8 g)

I'm thinking about collision avoidance, not night flying. Their website doesn't give you any info about what else may be needed to make this work and I must be missing something since this is only $138 (46x3 for a red, green and white). Can anybody shed some light on this (yes I know it's a bad pun)?
Darick

[chuckster]

You may wish to check out Kuntzleman Electronics line of lights. His ad is in the back pages of Sport Aviation . I've used his stuff on several projects and am happy. He includes all the wire you need and if you say it's for a Sonex he throws in some mounts the work nicely on our wingtips. Www.kestrobes.com
( I am not connected to his business in any way, just a happy customer )
HAPPY FLYING !!!