Sonex lights and wire choice

[SonexN76ET]

Darrick,

Using a keyed master is a great idea. I plan on upgrading mine to that too. I know Bill Larson and a couple others have done so too.

Your build looks like it is progressing well!

Jake

[Bryan Cotton]

I put a leading edge landing light in a 1946 C140 once. The STC called for black paint in the forward rib bay to prevent reflections. Is that required on a Sonex? I am not sure if any reflections would make it back to the cockpit.

[GordonTurner]

My idea, as yet untried, is to have the push button starter switch wired in series with a keyed on/off switch. The one I picked up, the key only comes out when it is in the OFF position. This will allow me to just ignore it when I want to, leave the key in and on, but be able to "safe" it or "secure" it when I want too. Thoughts?

[sonex892.]

My idea, as yet untried, is to have the push button starter switch wired in series with a keyed on/off switch. The one I picked up, the key only comes out when it is in the OFF position. This will allow me to just ignore it when I want to, leave the key in and on, but be able to "safe" it or "secure" it when I want too. Thoughts?

That's exactly what I did. Simple and effective.
Steve
Sonex 892
VH-ZSX 3300, 190 hrs

[gammaxy]

My idea, as yet untried, is to have the push button starter switch wired in series with a keyed on/off switch. The one I picked up, the key only comes out when it is in the OFF position. This will allow me to just ignore it when I want to, leave the key in and on, but be able to "safe" it or "secure" it when I want too. Thoughts?

That's basically what I did. Make sure you understand how much current is going to pass through the starter switch and key switch. SkyTec says if you wire it up without a starter solenoid "the push-to-start switch must be rated for 20A+, and 2) the wire between the two should be equally appropriate in gauge."

My keyswitch is only good for 3A AC. The DC rating is usually even lower, but it is unlisted. I don't think there are any small keyswitches that are intended to handle much current.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... -ND/379539

I use my keyswitch to energize an automotive relay on the firewall which delivers power to the main bus and my starter switch.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... -ND/647026

I couldn't find a 20A start button that I liked. I don't think the start button really draws this much current and seem to remember measuring ~6 amps. I've used this 4A DC button for > 120 engine starts.
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/ ... ND/1280109

[GordonTurner]

I wasn't aware of wiring the starter without a solenoid. I was planning to have a starter solonoid. I guess I better figure out what the draw on the solonoid is though, probably an amp, but needs to be checked. Thanks for the info.

Gordon

[Rynoth]

I used this $4 60A button from Grainger, wired with 12GA on a 20A fuse to the built-in starter solenoid.

https://www.grainger.com/product/5RLV3? ... ch&SG=NULL

I do like the idea of a keyed starter button/switch though. If I'm showing the plane to folks on the ground and turn on the master to display avionics, it's a bit uncomfortable having that live starter button sitting there, I have to be sure to keep the prop area clear. The spring on this button is fairly stiff though, takes nice positive pressure to engage it, but it doesn't have any kind of guard and does stick out of the panel about 1/2".

[Bryan Cotton]

A total waste of time- but I got my right hand Orion 600 and had to see how they looked.

I sold C140 parts to pay for them.


They are bright. They hurt to look at. Here is a brief video:
https://youtu.be/xKIH5dfuJ5w

Ok, back to polishing.

[ihab]

I wonder why people choose the lens location in the middle of the wing. Between the outboard-most wing rib and the wingtip, is there enough leading edge material to mount a small landing light? Could that simplify the installation, by essentially making it accessible from the side? If you put two of them in, it could be wig-wag....

Ihab

[Bryan Cotton]

A better spot is between the two outboard ribs. Nothing wrong with center mounting, it is a personal preference. Mine are outboard.