Reply to Paul and All: As I read all the NTSB accident reports for fatal accidents in Ercoupes, a "fatal fire" Ercoupe had a modified electrical system. In other words a rewire job and it used circuit breakers. Nothing bad about circuit breakers, they are more modern and more convenient. But, beware electrical system modifications. And to add circuit breakers it will involve an electrical system modification to some small extent at the least.
We are putting a lot more electronics in the Ercoupes than was even available back when they were manufactured thus the electrical system is often being taxed more than it was originally designed. Mine is still original. I have a nav/com and transponder/encoder in addition to the starter and landing lights. The landing lights will open the faucet on the battery and discharge it a a fast rate. But I have never had any problems with my electrical system or the fuses. Only one blown fuse in years. I have some hand held alkaline battery powered stuff too. Thinking of keeping them portable and not adding electrical load to my electrical system. The "fire" Ercoupe I refer to was an 0-200 with alternator. Some wires were "without circuit protection." The problem started where the two 11 guage wires went through the firewall and frayed/worn through. And the battery had been moved to in front of the firewall. I know all you are talking about is replacing fuses with circuit breakers. I just say, be ye careful, it needs to be a professional job using correct size wire and breakers, legal, etc. (I know a lot about gasoline engines, nothin bout lectricity; heck, I can't even spell lectricity). Regarding the long insulated spark plugs vs. the original short unshielded spark plugs, you can use the short plugs on top, your harness permitting, by having the original little shielding containers (two piece with a bail on top) which "contain" the top plugs and will prevent electrical interference with your radios. Using the "cups" and short plugs allows you to retain the smooth top cowl because the whole thing is shorter than the modern shielded plugs. But if you don't have the shielding cups for the short regular plugs for the top, you have to use the easily available long shielded plugs, a harness for them, and you must use the bumps or "eyebrows" on top of your cowl for clearance. The short unshielded plugs are ok out in the open for non radio airplanes, you see them used in original Cubs and such, and on original Ercoupes with the shielding container "cups." Skipper Barfield 99398 ___________________________________________________________________ Get the Internet just the way you want it. Free software, free e-mail, and free Internet access for a month! Try Juno Web: http://dl.www.juno.com/dynoget/tagj.
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