>I needed a panel ground plate as discussed in this forum recently. In my
>panel setup, fewer than 10 ground connections are needed on the panel side of
>the firewall, making the commercially available units overkill.
>
>So, a ground connector was built asing a 1.5 inch by 3.25 inch scrap of 35
>mil brass salvaged from an equipment nameplate. Lines were ruled along the
>long edges 1 cm from the long edges and center punched at 1 cm intervals.
>Holes of 5/32 diameter were punched at each of these points. Then the brass
>was cut from the edge tangent to each of these holes, leaving 16 tongues,
each
>1/4 inch wide; faston connectors can be pushed over these tongues. The
tongues
>were tinned using a torch and solder, then they were bent up at an angle so
>the strip could be bolted down to the firewall while allowing the fastons to
>be pushed into place.
>
>A 1/4 inch brass bolt is used to attach the strip and make the through
>connection, plus a 6-32 bolt to prevent rotation. An extra brass nut was
filed
>round and also filed to approximately match the thickness of the firewall.
>This is used as a spacer embedded in the firewall to prevent crushing when
the
>bolt is tightened, as suggested in "The AeroElectric Connection". A smaller
>ground plate (6 tongues) was included on the engine side to provide ground
>connections there.
>
>The price was right (free) although it took a while to fabricate (as usual).
>However there was no delay waiting for delivery from a supplier.
>
Good for you John . . . I like your approach. The only caution I would
offer those who would duplicate your work is to make sure the tinning
operation on the exposed tabs is VERY smooth so that the fast-on tabs
mate properly. I'd suggest tinning the tabs before bending the tabs.
Warm it up, flow the solder and then wipe with a DRY, COTTON cloth.
This will leave the very thinnest and smooth coating of solder. THEN
bend the tabs . . .
Bob . . .
////
(o o)
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