The most recent version of the master electrical spreadsheet has been uploaded, containing oodles of changes and refinements in almost every section (tabbed page) since the last (5/08/08) version was posted. The biggest changes have been in the fuse assignments and switch categories, each of which have garnered considerable re-thinking as the build-out progresses. For example, I've reassigned the transponder to the E-bus because I don't want it to shut off automagically when killing the Main bus, especially if I'm using the air traffic control system (ATC) for flight following. If I'm already in the ATC system, and may be having a problem, it's better that I keep it up until a manual shutdown is warranted.

I've also reinstated the EFIS 2 ALT FEED switch. The rationale for that follows.

Each of the two electronic flight information systems (EFIS) units has an independent (redundant) Airborne Heading-Attitude Reference System (AHARS) which control the primary flight instruments. Each EFIS has three possible sources of DC power: 1) the Main power lead, 2) a Backup power lead, and 3) an internal Backup Battery. When the main power fails, the EFIS next draws from the backup power circuit (if available), then it goes into a 30 second time-out with a "crawl line" at the bottom of the screen showing it will shutdown unless the pilot pushes any button to make it stay ON using its internal battery.

I've posted a recent version of the constantly changing, work in progress electrical spreadsheet in the Library, here. It contains complete load analysis of all circuits, equipment lists, wiring & fuse sizing, very specific switch requirements, fuse block assignments, location of  various circuits in the major wire runs, and a bunch more. As I get deeper into the electrical, I find that components and plans to accommodate them have a way of changing, and one change begets another. The spreadsheet serves many functions. For example, the tabulation of wire runs helps keep track of the plan for keeping noise-generating strobe cables away from audio-carrying headset and antenna cables.

Because it's constantly changing as I go, it will have inaccuracies in any given version, but the general layout may be useful to others.

The attached spreasheet (see link below) is a constantly changing work in progress, containing fairly comprehensive electrical info that is extremely useful as the panel and other wiring progresses.

The different sheets (tabs at the bottom) include complete load analysis, with wire and switching requirements, a switch list, annunciator list, fuse block assigments, the primary wire routing runs, and locations of miscellaneous gadgets, such as over-voltage circuits, diodes, EFIS serial port assignments, relay shelf gizmo pinouts,  etc. The fields are liberally commented with explanations. Again, this is a work in progress, so it's not always accurate, much less complete.

DISCLAIMER: Like everything else on this site, the electrical spreadsheet should not be used verbatim by anyone else. It is presented here only as an example of the kinds of information it is useful to track, and one method of organizing it. Your mileage will -- and should -- vary.

The most recently posted version is from June 10, 2010.

This web site is supposed to be the primary documentation of the project -- which may be important when the plane is inspected, as well as being (hopefully) helpful to others. It's not possible to keep the web site totally current -- at least not for me. However, I try to be diligent in taking at least a couple of pictures each day something tangible happens. I save them in a folder named for the date. That way I can easily recall what was happening when. When I do finally load them, I edit the site "submission date" to match the date of the folder in which they've been kept -- which also matches the "metadata" date property of the original image file -- as recorded by the camera.

During the lengthy period of moving from CA to WA, then setting up shop again, I didn't do much work, but also got behind on the site. Today I've done some more catch up work here, loading up a couple dozen more photos that were taken back in June and July, 2007. I like to add the photos to the Gallery before writing up blog entries for the "catch up" events. The pictures uploaded today provide more illumination to the tailcone disaster story, building the torque tube attach bracket, wiring the elevator trim tab, re-building the right wing strut, and making the custom overhead "Y" harness seat belt attachment structure. Most of the newly added, annotated pictures are in the Fuselage and Elevator sections.

OK, time to get back to doing some real work!