Like most RV builders my knowledge of electrics is fairly limited. To help with this I attended a one day LAA Electrics Course in November 2009 conducted by Mark Castle-Smith and his father and it was most informative and enjoyable. More importantly it gave me the confidence to proceed wiring myself but with advice.
Also like most RV builders I am using the Aero Electric Connection by Bob Knuckolls as a reference book and I have chosen Figure Z-13/8 Rev 12A "All Electric Airplane on a Budget with P-Mags". This meets my requirements:
* Day/VFR but capable of night if approved in future * Ability to get home after a main alternator failure (I intend to travel overseas quite a bit) * Simple management of smoke in the cockpit (turn off battery master)
The only modifications are: * combining the main alternator field and standby alternator ground in one switch - so only one alternator can be online at once * Use of MGL Magentic Sensors for current monitoring instead of shunts
I did look at the Vertical Power products of having a modern electrical system but I couldn't justify the extra cost and it had limited inputs for all my goodies. Yes I could have gone much more simple amd basic but I will only build an aircraft once so I want to fit it out to suit my tastes but keeping the system based on proven reliability.
