On 12/10/2011 07:12 AM, Richard Lamprey wrote:
> The
> strobe power box is wired in series between the 912 generator wires
> (yellow) and the Ducati voltage rectifier.
Wait a minute. Is it really in series? If both yellow wires go to the
Ducati AND both go to the strobe, it is parallel. If one yellow wire
goes to the strobe, and one yellow wire to the ducati, and a new wire is
used to connect the remaining ducati and strobe connectors together
(like how X-mas tree lights are wired), it is indeed series.
It is quite important to know whether it is parallel or series, hence my
question.
> Also, strangely, there is
> no circuit breaker or fuse in this system.
This would make sense if it is series indeed, otherwise you should use a
fuse.
Anyway, I would advise for quite a number of reasons against a series
diagram, but a parallel diagram would be ok. I would be surprised if it
is series indeed, but you never know.
Assuming it is parallel, as it should be, I think it is a great
solution. Strobes work on high voltages, so any strobe power supply
needs to convert the low voltage DC into high voltage AC and then
rectify it again. By feeding it directly from the alternator (where it
is still AC) quite some losses can be avoided, and it also does not load
the Ducati (which has a tendency to burn out easily). An AC-fed strobe
can not be powered from the battery, but if the alternator fails the
strobe is the first thing you should power down anyway, so this is no
real disadvantage.
You should put a fuse between the alternator and strobe power unit.
(Don't use a CB here, as you should never try to reset a tripped strobe
CB during flight: it is not essential equipment and malfunctioning
strobe power supplies are quite a hazard, so don't play with these
things and just use a "one-time" fuse here to avoid any temptation!). I
would put a switch in between too, as it is considered somewhat impolite
to wait at the holding point with bright flashing strobes while there is
someone on final, especially when it isn't very bright weather. I would
also like to power down the strobe if I would smell any fuel during flight.
Frans
|