Wingtip strobe installation

[Tom Jones]

I'm trying to install Whelen Comet flash wingtip strobe/nav lights in place of the stock nav only lights. I need to run the wiring from the light bracket through the tip bow.

Before I do anything really stupid , does anyone have any suggestions as to where I can drill to run the wiring without damaging any of the internal wingtip structure? The wing is covered so I don't have the luxury of knowing exactly where everything is. I suppose I could drill through the existing wire entry hole but I'd rather continue to use those wires.

Anyone have any ideas or photos of an uncovered wingtip with strobe wiring?

Thanks!

Tom

[Dave Calkins]

Tom, the aluminum nav. light mount covers up enough area for you to open a hole in the fabric for your wire to exit, and it won't be visible when the nav light mount is in place on the wing.

To help you visualize where things are, press down the fabric with your fingers and you'll feel the end of the spar, the spar/tip-bow brackets, and the tip bow. Install the nav. light mount and mark off or mask off around it. Make your hole inside the marked area.

Hopefully the guy that covered your wing doubled up the fabric where the nav. light mount goes so you'll have double thickness to melt through with your soldering iron to open the hole.

At the risk of offending you, I must say that if this doesn't seem really clear to you, consider taking the job to a professional.

Good Luck. DAVE

[J5Ron]

Dave,
Just bought a Super Cub this summer...and who ever did the fab...failed to put the wing tip lights back on...I have only the switches on the panel...how might a guy run wires??? Maybe I am out of luck?

Ron

[behindpropellers]

Dave,
Just bought a Super Cub this summer...and who ever did the fab...failed to put the wing tip lights back on...I have only the switches on the panel...how might a guy run wires??? Maybe I am out of luck?

Ron

Hey Ron-

I always thought using tent poles would work great for this type of thing.

Tim

[Dave Calkins]

Yeah, any long skinny thing will work. The issue is that wire will not be secured well.

Running it behind the spar will allow you to tyrap it at each round inspection hole for the brace wires.

[behindpropellers]

Yeah, any long skinny thing will work. The issue is that wire will not be secured well.

Running it behind the spar will allow you to tyrap it at each round inspection hole for the brace wires.

Dave-

Wouldn't you be afraid of it chafing on a control cable?

If you run your wires in some wire loom I think in the leading edge would work pretty good as long as you can get it out where you need on the wingtip.

Tim

[Dave Calkins]

Depending on where the wire is run and how it is tied, no I'd not worry about fouling the aileron balance cable.

Yes, chafing is the issue if run in the leading edge without securing it.

...and stop chasing me.DAVE

[StewartB]

Why wouldn't you just use the original wire as a fish line to pull the new wire in? You could over-pull the first wire and use it to fish the original wire back out.

Stewart

[Tom Jones]

Hi Dave. I considered that originally, but decided I might bounce the question of everybody here first in case there was a better way. Looks like that's probably the best solution. Certainly the easiest.

And no, you didn't offend me. I appreciate the help! I'd already asked my AI and the other A&P on the field about it. Neither of them had ever done this on rag wing Pipers either.

Thanks.
Tom

[Tom Jones]

Stewart,

The wires are tied off to the ribs in several places outboard of the last inspection hole. It feels like whoever covered it glued the wires into the bow as well.

Tom

[bob turner]

I sympathize with you. We have a Cub here that is just about to get the same treatment, Dave seems to have the answers that I would give, but if you wait a month, maybe we can give you some actual answers based on an installation. The aircraft does not yet have the inspection holes cut.

While expensive, I think the Comet strobes are the best - I have them on the Super D, and think they are a giant safety adjunct. Consider a tail flasher too. I just followed a biplane cross country with the three strobe setup, and it really helped in spotting him.

Just be polite, and don't taxi with the darn things on.

[Steve Pierce]

I ran some wires down a Luscombe wing with a 20' piece of 3/8" tubing. Used shielded wire just in case something rubbed and tied everywhere there was access.