Reddogally(at)aol.com
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 Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 3:03 pm Post subject: Seeking alternator troubleshooting advice |
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On the way home from OSH last month my RV6A started to indicate on the voltage meter readings fluctuating from 14+ to 12.4 or so. During the last two legs of the flight lasting a total of about 4 hours with all my avionics and usual accessories activated the voltage never dropped below 12.2..
A week or so after I returned to my home airport I took the plane around the pattern to check the voltages again. During taxi to the runway the voltage would indicate 12.2-4. After I pushed the throttle in for takeoff the voltage went to 14.2 and stayed there while flying at 75% power for 20 minutes or so. I thought the problem I had previously experienced had resolved itself. However, as soon as a reduced the throttle to descend for landing the voltage once again dropped to the 12's and fluctuated up and down.
I am not the builder (second owner) so I am not sure if the alternator is internally or externally regulated. There are no manufacturer markings on the alternator and I do not see anything that looks like an external voltage regulator on the firewall. The back of the alternator has one large cable and three small wires. Two of the wires are clipped to the back of the alternator on thin posts at 90 degrees to each other and the third wire is attached the case of the alternator in what looks like a ground wire.
The battery is less than a year old and indicates 12.4. The plane starts in a couple of turns.
I have a spare alternator that came with the plane that is a Mitsubishi car alternator.
I am wondering if I should just change out the alternator to try to solve the problem or are there other ways to determine the cause of the problem.
Any suggestions are appreciated
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