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rv-9a-online(at)telus.net
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 Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:04 pm Post subject: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand new) |
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A friend had a Plane Power alternator fail after his first flight.
Apparently, he left the Master "on" (in ALT position) for 30-40 minutes
while he was working on the plane, and after that he noticed that his ALT
Field enable fuse was blown. It happened to a replacement fuse as well.
I checked the wiring right to the alternator-- no fault with it unplugged.
I can't measure any shorts to ground on the Alternator pins.
My theory is the the internal voltage regulator overheated and failed short.
My theory is that it would overheat because there was no airflow and was
providing maximum field current for a long time.
Has anyone else experienced this or have an alternate diagnosis?
Thanks, Vern Little
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Tim Olson
Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 2875
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand new) |
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I'm not sure if the theory is good or bad, but I can say that I've left
my master on for a very very long time before....many hours, as opposed
to those 30-40 minutes, and I've never seen anything like that. I
suppose the regulator or something could have gone bad, but I'd also
check real well for any wiring errors. First off though, I'd call them
and see what they say...they'll know better than most people, and I
bet they take care of it right away.
Tim Olson - RV-10 N104CD - Flying
Vernon Little wrote:
| Quote: |
A friend had a Plane Power alternator fail after his first flight.
Apparently, he left the Master "on" (in ALT position) for 30-40 minutes
while he was working on the plane, and after that he noticed that his ALT
Field enable fuse was blown. It happened to a replacement fuse as well.
I checked the wiring right to the alternator-- no fault with it unplugged.
I can't measure any shorts to ground on the Alternator pins.
My theory is the the internal voltage regulator overheated and failed short.
My theory is that it would overheat because there was no airflow and was
providing maximum field current for a long time.
Has anyone else experienced this or have an alternate diagnosis?
Thanks, Vern Little
|
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klehman(at)albedo.net
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| Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:07 pm Post subject: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand new) |
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Would not surprise me Vern. My wee ND IR alternator draws a couple of
amps and heats up quite noticeably with the engine off and the IGN
terminal (and B+ lead) connected to the battery. Fortunately the OV
relay lets me disconnect it by opening the alternator control switch.
Ken
Vernon Little wrote:
| Quote: |
A friend had a Plane Power alternator fail after his first flight.
Apparently, he left the Master "on" (in ALT position) for 30-40 minutes
while he was working on the plane, and after that he noticed that his ALT
Field enable fuse was blown. It happened to a replacement fuse as well.
I checked the wiring right to the alternator-- no fault with it unplugged.
I can't measure any shorts to ground on the Alternator pins.
My theory is the the internal voltage regulator overheated and failed short.
My theory is that it would overheat because there was no airflow and was
providing maximum field current for a long time.
Has anyone else experienced this or have an alternate diagnosis?
Thanks, Vern Little
|
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tomvelvick
Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 18
Location: Peoria, AZ
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 6:33 am Post subject: Re: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand new) |
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Hi Vern,
When my battery is low the Plane Power Alt pulls over 4 amps with the master on. I have had it pop my 5amp field breaker. I increased my C/B to 7 amps and haven't had any more problems. Once the engine is running, the currents drops down to less than 1/2 amp on the field line.
Regards,
Tom Velvick
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rv-9a-online(at)telus.net
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:08 am Post subject: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand new) |
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We checked this, and blew 10A fuse immediately. Alternator is kaput.
V
--
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gmcjetpilot
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 170
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| Posted: Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:26 pm Post subject: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand new) |
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Gentlemen all, you are gussing.
Call PP & send it back. Get the real reason. PP does modify the
regulator & therefore he's the source of creditable facts. I can say
a stock ND should not get hot with BAT/ALT on, but I stand to
be corrected. I never tried it. However............
For a regular internally regulated ND alternator, if it uses more than
50 millivolts, with the engine shut down you have voltage regulator or
diode issue. Internally regulated alternators do not have a FIELD
WIRE of course.
>From: Ken <klehman(at)albedo.net (klehman(at)albedo.net)>
| Quote: | Subject: Re: Plane Power Alternator Failure (brand
new)
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>Would not surprise me Vern. My wee ND IR alternator draws a couple of
| Quote: | amps and heats up quite noticeably with the engine off and the IGN
terminal (and B+ lead) connected to the battery. Fortunately the OV
relay lets me disconnect it by opening the alternator control switch.
Ken
|
Ken is it possible you are reading more than the alternator? Master contactor?
[quote][b]
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