Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
How to terminate 26 ga wire?
I've installed the R Allen stick grips on my dual sticks and put one with 5 buttons on the pilot side (PTT, Trim up, Trim down, and two aux buttons that will provide a momentary ground - probably use one to advance the radio's memory channels) and a single PTT button on the passenger side. The switches are wired with 26 ga wire and have 26 ga pigtails to connect to trim, PTT, etc.
How do you properly terminate the 26 ga pigtails??? I have some aviation-quality (from B&C) crimp terminals and butt splices, but they only handle down to 22 ga. Is it acceptable to fold the bare wire back on the insulation and crimp the whole thing? - with insulation and a folded-back bare wire, I "think" maybe a 22 ga terminal or splice would work.
Would it be acceptable to tin the leads and put them directly into a "European-style insulated terminal strip?" (That's what RadioShack calls it! LOL!) That's the type of strip that has a small set screw to capture the wire. I put the leads from the trim cable into one and really like how it makes for a neat installation. If I can just stick the tinned trim wires from the stick into the appropriate connectors on the same terminal strip, that would be too easy!
Thanks for any info,
John
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jerry Bryan on
-
That's what I used.
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Aysen on
-
John - I would use solder. Strip wire about 5/8" of each end, place heat shrink tubing that is twice the length of the strip portion over one end, twist ends together, solder, and then heat shrink over. My two cents.
Chris
-
Permalink Reply by John Austin on
-
Chris,
Your technique is pretty similar to what I do when I splice two wires together, However, my question is how to terminate a 26 ga wire! In other words, when you need to terminate or connect the wire to a terminal strip, etc., is it better to perhaps tin a lead and put it in a compression connector such as the RadioShack "European Style" connector, or, crimp a terminal - spade or ring - connector and connect to a suitable connector strip? To repeat my original post, the problem with terminals are that most are intended for 22 ga max. I have heard of the technique for smaller wires to simply fold the conductor back over the insulation and crimp the whole thing - I suspect a 26 ga would probably be secured in a 22 ga terminal by that method, but I don't know if it is considered "good technique". This surely is a common problem - I may try an email to Ray Allen Co. and see what they say - I'll report back if they do!
Regards,
John
P.S.: I didn't have to email RAC - I dug into the FAQ's on their website and here's what they say:
It is important to note that the majority of the troubleshooting problems builders have with installing our products are faulty connectors. Most RAC products use 26 gage wires which are sensitive to improper crimping. Try doubling over the wire over OR soldering a short 22-24 gage lead to our 26 gage wires before crimping to provide extra strain relief. Whatever kind of connector you choose, they can often be made much smaller by removing the strain relief boot and using shrink tubing.
So, looks like doubling over the wire and crimping or splicing a larger lead are the recommended methods.
-
-
I didn't register terminal "strip". I read a little to fast. I used the larger wire concept at the strip. But either/or.
Safe Flying.
Chris
New from Zenith:
Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...
Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:
Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.
Zenith Homecoming Tee:
Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz
Builder & Pilot Supplies:
Pro Builder Assistance:
Transition training:
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!
How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com
Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.
© 2024 Created by Zenith.Aero.
Powered by
