My Drop-Down Fuse Panel

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:21 pm

I am using a modified Z-13/8 wiring schematic and wanted to have a drop-down fuse panel to make servicing the electrics a lot easier in my slider.

I really liked how fellow builder Bill Schlatterer designed his "drop-down" fuse bus panel. I also like how the design keeps the "fat" wire runs short and all the critical power connections in the same area.

I started by fabricating and drilling the hinge angle as well as cutting out the bus panel out of .040 aluminum sheet. After bending the flanges I drilled the hinge and test fit.

Next, I laid out the 20-slot Main Bus and the 12-slot Endurance Bus (E-Bus). I alodined the components of the tray and temporarily attached the busses as well as the D25 E-Bus Diode and heatsink.

I went ahead and mounted the Battery Bus and the Avionics Bus to the rib. I also installed platenuts on the bus tray hinge bar and temporarily installed Adel clamps. These will be useful for routing wires later.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:54 am

Bret,

Nice creativity! Very clever!

I am using a version of the Z-13/8 diagram too. I will be copying much of your design. Hope you don't mind.

Good work!

CJ

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:06 am

Hey Bret, Looking at the pics again, I see that you have Abby's (Flightline Interior) firewall insulation as do I. How do you plan on securing it?

I am totally undecided and am open to ideas.

CJ

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:06 am

Nice idea, and it will sure beat having to crawl underneath to change a fuse. When it drops down, does it interfere with the rudder pedals ?
Or is there enough clearance so that if it were to drop down inadvertantly during flight from a loosened screw you'd still be ok.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:25 pm

captain_john wrote:I am using a version of the Z-13/8 diagram too. I will be copying much of your design. Hope you don't mind.
CJ

You are welcome. Heck Bob gives the designs away for free. Mine was actually designed by Mike Behnke after we collaborated together. We wanted a way to power up the E-Bus prior to engine start to allow the EFIS's to align from a separate battery. Then we could flip the Master switch and fire up the engine without the battery draw causing the EFIS to re-boot.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:27 pm

captain_john wrote:Hey Bret, Looking at the pics again, I see that you have Abby's (Flightline Interior) firewall insulation as do I. How do you plan on securing it?

This is not critical. Use whatever you have around the shop. I plan to use "dabs" of E-6000 however a purist would only use Proseal.

smithhb · Post by **smithhb** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 4:32 pm

Wicked Stick wrote:When it drops down, does it interfere with the rudder pedals ?
Or is there enough clearance so that if it were to drop down inadvertantly during flight from a loosened screw you'd still be ok.

When it drops down the tray rests on top of the rudder bar but does not interfere with rudder movement or your feet in any way.

As others will tell you, should a fuse blow in-flight, you should NOT be changing it. The tray allows me to keep all my fat wires (high amperages) close together and not anywhere near the panel.

The trick here is I will be using the LED fuses that illuminate when the fuse is blown.