Tailbeacon Installation

[8170]

That's why I love being my own IA

[6930]

Well, looks like I found a couple of local shops that will install it for me.
Hoping to get it done next week and will post the final results.

Mike

[2066]

Good news, Mike! Thanks for the update -- hopefully it'll end up being as simple as it should be. Mac

[6643]

If you get desperate, I know a place in Middletown OH that will do it for you.

[6930]

Good news, Mike! Thanks for the update -- hopefully it'll end up being as simple as it should be. Mac

Thanks Mac. I think it should go smoothly. I was talking to the FBO this morning and unless they surprise me with unforeseen BS, I should be okay. They actually sell tailbeacons and seem to be happy to install mine for me.

Mike

[6930]

If you get desperate, I know a place in Middletown OH that will do it for you.

Thanks John. At this point it looks like I have some good local options. I was actually thinking of going out of the area to get it done and I appreciate your offering to get me info on the Ohio people.

I should have it finished within the next couple of weeks and will post the final outcome.

Mike

[8482]

Hello All,

I only have a single lead going to my light on the rudder. Curious if anyone else encountered this? We will need to add a ground. Any clever solutions? Or do I just need to have the wiring redone.

Thanks,

-Sam

[8359]

Sam,

Mine only had a single power wire as well. The body of the tailbeacon provides the ground to the airframe in the same way the current tail light works.

I decided not to run a ground wire, however at some point when the aircraft is down for an extended period I plan to run ground wire and hook it up.

Hope this helps.

[6643]

The original wiring was a single conductor to the tail light. In my opinion, since the rudder is not bonded to the airframe, you really ought to run a ground wire from the Tail Beacon to the airframe. The tail beacon detects transponder traffic through the power wiring, and without a good ground that might be compromised under some conditions.

[6277]

I had the same issue, no good ground wire. You could "bond" the rudder to the airframe in some way with a flexible bonding cable. I ran a separate ground wire. Had to take the rudder off to get the wire through the various bulk-heads. Used an old fishing rod to thread the gnd wire through to where I could reach it.