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Plane Power

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GrummanDude

Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 926
Location: Auburn, CA

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 5:27 pm Post subject: Plane Power

Ya know, some companies are a real pleasure to work with.  These companies don't ask questions when there is a problem.  LightSpeed for example.  Bose.  But, then there are companies that take each and every problem as a personal affront and make it so impossible to work with that sometimes I have to wonder how they stay in business. 

 

  A couple of years ago, I attempted to install a PP alternator on a 2004 AG5B.  The pulley was misaligned by about 1/8 inch.  This was my first install of a PP alternator and figured that something must be wrong on my end.  When I called PP and gave them the serial number, I was told that I had an alternator when had been manufactured prior to a redesign of the spacer and that I needed the new spacer.  No, the part number wasn't changed because it was a minor change.  OK.  Send me the spacer.  I have an airplane-on-the-ground.  So, they agreed to replace the spacer at my expense.

  

 

  Since then, I have done 9 installs of PP alternators; 3 of which have a persistent whine in them.  Running extra grounds and cleaning up terminal ends have not helped.  Oddly, removing and replacing one of the alternators made the noise go away.  This was on a plane on which I had NOT installed an extra ground or cleaned up the terminal ends.  I removed the alternator to fix a problem with the baffle.  

  

 

  OK, so, last year, I ordered a new PP alternator for a Cheetah I was restoring and decided to order an extra one for 'bench stock' just in case someone needed one.  Well, wouldn't ya know it, about a year later, a few days ago, I needed to use that alternator.  Come to fine out, this one too has either the wrong spacers or wrong pulley or both.  At any rate, it wouldn't fit; the pulley's are misaligned by 1/4 inch or more.  So I called PP.

  

 

  I talked to a really nice man who helped what he could and he passed me to another guy who basically said I was installing it wrong.  When I told him I had installed several without any problem he told me, "we've changed the design (without changing the part number) so the alternator sat further forward to clear the baffle."  I said, "Well, I must have one that wasn't updated so I need to send it back so I can have one that will fit."  Then, I was told to take pictures of the alternator so they can determine if I was doing anything wrong.  I said, "If I give you the part number and serial number won't you be able to tell if there is a problem with the pulley?"  No.  Apparently not.  I was told they NOTHING leaves PP without being checked for accuracy and it probably has the parts it was supposed to be shipped with.  Then I was told to get all the part numbers for the brackets, spacers, and pulley.  I said, "Can't I just send it back and you can fix it so I have an alternator to use incase someone needs one?"  Well, no.

  

 

  I was not issued an RMA (returned merchandise authorization) because I didn't have the serial number handy.

 

  

 

  I'm on my way to the airport to get the serial number, take pictures, and write down part numbers.

  

   [quote][b]

_________________
Gary
AuCountry Aviation
Home of Team Grumman

Discover

Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 429

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:19 pm Post subject: Plane Power

I too had a misalignment issue when I  installed the plane-power alternator on my 2002 AG5B Tiger. Steve, I think was  his name, flew up on a Saturday morning in his twin and brought parts to fix it.  He mentioned mine was amongst the first batch for the AG5B's and he wanted to  make sure they were right. Turned out that the bracket that I had that was on my  factory alternator, the bracket that attaches to the case, was drilled  wrong. He was stumped at why it didn't align and I thought to mention that I had  never actually checked to see if it was in alignment prior to my  removing the original alternator. Well it wasn't. The Lycoming part numbered  bracket was mis-drilled and that made both the old and the new plane power have  misalignment.

  

 Sorry to hear they are not supporting you very  well. Its too small a community for that....

  

 Are you talking to the  owner?

   [quote][b]

GrummanDude

Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 926
Location: Auburn, CA

Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:27 pm Post subject: Plane Power

I went to the airport and got the serial number and I sent it back with an RMA.  Another $20.00 

 

  We'll see.  When I called the second time they seemed a lot more helpful.   I hope this settles it.

 

  

 

 

  --

_________________
Gary
AuCountry Aviation
Home of Team Grumman

flyv35b(at)minetfiber.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:14 am Post subject: Plane Power

Ned, are you sure it was misdialed or just installed  wrong.  It can be put on two ways, but as I recall the wrong way is so far  off that it is obvious it is wrong.

  

 Cliff

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rcmutz(at)msn.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:39 am Post subject: Plane Power

I was talking to my A&P the other day about PP regulator and he told me they were made in China.  I wonder if the PP alternators are made in China as well.  Anyone know?



Richard

 N399RM

 		 	   		  Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. G709/direct/01/' target='_new'>Sign up now.  [quote][b]

flyv35b(at)minetfiber.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:52 am Post subject: Plane Power

Should have said "misdrilled" and not  "misdialed".  Hit the spell checker at the wrong  time.

 [quote]   ---

flyv35b(at)minetfiber.com
Guest

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 7:49 am Post subject: Plane Power

It sounds like several people have had problems with  spacers and pulley alignment (who knows how many actually).  On the first  one I installed on a Tiger the field terminal was nearly touching the front  baffle.  I didn't see why they couldn't have designed the pulley a bit  different and moved the alternator forward even a half inch for better clearance  and easier access to the terminal.  For that matter the whole front baffle  design on the Tiger and Cheetah suck!  By making a baffle up over the top  of the case and sealing to the nose bowl you could eliminate the lower front  baffle and then you would have access to the alternator from behind WITHOUT  taking off the nose bowl.  In fact you might be able to check the wires on  the alternator just by looking in with the top cowling  open!

  

 Cliff

 [quote]   ---

Discover

Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 429

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:13 am Post subject: Plane Power

I agree Cliff. One of the advantages of Gary's new cowling is that it does what your saying.

Can't wait until I get one on my Tiger!

Ned



Sent from my iPhone

[quote]



  For that matter the whole front baffle  design on the Tiger and Cheetah suck!  By making a baffle up over the top  of the case and sealing to the nose bowl you could eliminate the lower front  baffle and then you would have access to the alternator from behind WITHOUT  taking off the nose bowl.  In fact you might be able to check the wires on  the alternator just by looking in with the top cowling  open!

  

 Cliffy

 	  Quote: 	
		  	


[b]

Discover

Joined: 26 Feb 2007
Posts: 429

Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 9:19 am Post subject: Plane Power

The iPhone makes what it thinks are corections.

This feature can be turned off but the keypad is so small that I often hit the wrong letters. When I hit the wrong letters the iPhone fixes it. Sometimes it fixes what it shouldn't and I don't catch it. Dory bout that

Ned



Sent from my iPhone



On Jan 23, 2010, at 8:51 AM, "flyv35b" <flyv35b(at)minetfiber.com (flyv35b(at)minetfiber.com)> wrote:



[quote]  Should have said "misdrilled" and not  "misdialed".  Hit the spell checker at the wrong  time.

 [quote]   ---

GrummanDude

Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 926
Location: Auburn, CA

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:08 am Post subject: Plane Power

Hi Cliff, and Teammates, 

 

  The new PP alternators do have a shallower pulley and different spacers. They did move the alternator forward to address the problem.  HOWEVER, they kept the same part numbers on the alternators so there is NO WAY OF KNOWING WHICH IS RIGHT!

  

 

  As for the baffle trick, that's how the baffles work on my Jaguar Cowling.  I had to do climb cooling tests with probes on the alternator.  The alternator with the stock cowling runs roughly ambient.  I have a blast tube from the cabin heat inlet to the alternator and the alternator runs about 100 degrees under most conditions.  There is very little temperature change.  I thought about running an alternator with the cooling shroud and 1" hose blowing air, but, the FAA seemed happy with the tests.  By-the-way, my alternator, a Kelly rebuilt, has been on my plane for 5 years and no problems.  

 

  

 

 

  --

_________________
Gary
AuCountry Aviation
Home of Team Grumman

GrummanDude

Joined: 15 Jan 2006
Posts: 926
Location: Auburn, CA

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 10:25 am Post subject: Plane Power

Ned, is the check in the mail?

 

  

 

 

  --

_________________
Gary
AuCountry Aviation
Home of Team Grumman

flyv35b(at)minetfiber.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jan 24, 2010 2:18 pm Post subject: Plane Power

 The new PP alternators do have a shallower pulley and different spacers.  They did move the alternator forward to address the problem.  HOWEVER, they  kept the same part numbers on the alternators so there is NO WAY OF KNOWING  WHICH IS RIGHT!

  

 Well, that was a mistake.  I'm surprised the FAA let them get away  with that sort of thing, beings it's PMA's and all.  They probably didn't  tell the FAA, just changed their drawings because it was the easy way out!

  

 Cliff



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