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Am I creating a Ground Loop?
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 8:57 am Post subject: Am I creating a Ground Loop?
With that in mind, let me try to describe what I am doing and ask if you think I am creating a ground loop.
I am in the midst of removing old EFIS, radio, AP and installing all new. As a sideshow to that effort I decided, since I have everything gutted, to replace the older Whelen strobe/position lights with new Whelen LED strobe/position lights.
The old system was effectively two separate systems. The old position lights were grounded at the wingtip. The strobe lights had a central power supply (fuselage mounted) which was grounded at the firewall forest of tabs.
The new all-LED strobe/position light was designed with a single ground wire that provides ground for both the position lights and the strobe.
I am attempting to use the original wiring as much as possible to avoid running wires to the wingtips again.
If I connect the new single ground wire to the wingtip ground, only the position lights work. If I connect the single ground wire to the old strobe power supply ground (firewall) only the strobe works.
If I were to splice the wingtip ground wire and the firewall ground wire together so as to have a single ground wire to attach to the new LED unit, am I creating a ground loop?
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 9:31 am Post subject: Am I creating a Ground Loop?
than one ground on separate airframe locations.
and discussed in my writings.
25 or 37 pin connector to fabricate the bus . . .
to be nearly done and run out of grounds.
firewall bus on a plastic airplane.
Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2018 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Am I creating a Ground Loop?
Since the old position lights were grounded at the wingtip, that implies that the wingtip ground wire was only a few inches long. I do not understand how the wingtip ground wire is in the fuselage. Is this a metal airplane?
Regardless, I would connect both ground wires to the firewall. The important thing is to ground all avionics and instruments to one single location. Make sure that audio and Mic jacks are not grounded locally. Mount jacks with insulating washers.
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:35 pm Post subject: Am I creating a Ground Loop?
Bob and Joe, Thanks for your responses.