Dan,
It sounds like you want the connector to _look_ factory instead of _be_
factory. This is a mistake. If you are trying to be legal and true to the
type certificate, then buy your connectors from John Murray or Schleicher.
I doubt, however, that they can or will supply a "yellow tag" like the one
that comes with genuine USA aircraft parts. The paper trail is the
important part, not just where you purchase the part (on certified
aircraft).
I suppose you could use a form 337 (not 377) and get an approval for an
authorized field change but I really doubt that anybody knows or cares about
those battery connectors, which probably aren't even listed on the Type
Certificate or in the official parts book for the aircraft.
Cessna drivers know that they can buy a battery contactor at the local auto
parts store, that looks exactly like the Cessna part (and comes off the same
assembly line) but that part is not legal and there is not a proper paper
trail on the part. That is not to say that there are not Cessnas out there
with auto parts store contactors that work just fine and cost a small
fraction of the cost of the Cessna part. Just don't get caught...
Did you plan to hire an A&P to install the connector? 8-)
-Bob
Post by Dan DunkelYou are probably correct that it would make sense to just replace the
connectors with ones that are readily available in the U.S. and are easier
to connect & disconnect. The reason is that I don't is that the glider is
not "Expermintal". I don't know if it is proper procedure to be replacing
them without a 377 and by me.
Even worse are the fuses installed by Schleicher. The fuse is held in a tube
by a spring. When the wire is moved, the tension on the spring changes. If
the wire is moved too much, the fuse comes loose and the circuit is broken.
Most any movement of the wire causes the voltage to change at the panel. In
my opinion, it's a poor design for this application. I would really like to
replace it with a blade fuse (used in most cars) but I haven't for the same
reasons that I haven't replace the battery connectors.
-Dan
Post by Mark ZivleyYou're probably better off just eliminating the connectors provided by
the factory and going down to your local electronics outlet and buying a
couple sets of connectors.
Post by Dan DunkelDoes anyone know the manufacturer and part number of the battery
connectors
Post by Mark ZivleyPost by Dan Dunkelused by Schleicher--as well as other manufacturers? I tried to find
them on
Post by Mark ZivleyPost by Dan Dunkelthe Mouser Electronics and the McMaster-Carr Web sites. Without
knowing
Post by Dan Dunkelthe
Post by Mark ZivleyPost by Dan Dunkelmanufacturer and part number, I couldn't find them.
Thanks.
-Dan