"Been there ... done that too"
rvator51 said:
I went to fly on Saturday morning and when I was taxiing out at 6am, the voltmeter showed 18.5 to 19.1 volts. Airplane went back to the hanger to figure out problem. I assume it is the voltage regulator or the new 35 amp Vans alternator is bad already and is overdriving the regulator. I was going to order a new VR but now am thinking about replacing the alternator with a 60 amp internally regulated alternator. Supposedly, the new 60 IR alternators from Vans are new now instead of rebuilt, and you would think they last longer than the rebuilt 60 amp alternators?
Vans also have the Plane power 60 amp alternators at $376. When I looked at the web store though, the Plane power alt was only available in boss mount, and I need a case mount so I would have to adapt it.
Which would you chose?
1. Vans 60 amp $199 New Nippon Denso alt
or
2. Vans 60 $375 Plane Power alt with overvoltage protection?
I originally installe dthe Van's 35A alternator on our 6. Didn't really like the fact that I got "low voltage" when all the lights were on and I was coming in to land late. It eventually died (or something) and was replaced. ALso the the original (anodized) bracket broke. I replaced the 35 with another 35 but evntually realized I **really** did not like the fact that I was getting "low voltage" with the load I want to have ON. So I replaced it with Van's 55A (or is it 60?).
Well a few days ago, I got the voltage going way north of 14.2 during runup. Turned around and put it in the hangar. Eventually convinced myself to order the regulator from Van's (The alternator I **think** is the replacement from Advance Auto was $125 but the regulator for same was $180!!! <go figure>). The regulator from Van's was <$50. I order it overnight delivery, it arrives, it looks good but when I went to put it on, it did not exact FIT!! <<BUMMER>> I think I had one of the earlier reconditioned alternators and I suspect teh regulators are for the "new" ones. Just speculation on my part. I fyou held the two units in your hand you would THINK it would fit but there was some slight difference in the plastic molding on the bottom that kept it from not fitting. I probably should have gone to a local ALternatot Shop and got the thing fixed (I plan to do that now) but what I **DID** do is just order the Ven's Deluxe (Plane Power) alternator.
Quick review....
The include all the mounting stuff and it **FITS!!!**. I mean the brackets fit just perfectly and all the stuff you need is there.
Nice workmanship
It **seems** (so far) to work rock solid.
The one thing that bugged me a *little* (and they make this clear) ... they send you belt for a 9+" pulley and tell you if you have a 7+" pulley what model to go an get. Guess which pulley I have.
Clearly not their fault. I also probably could have kept the belt that I had but I decided to put on the one they sent (remove prop) and THEN I realized it was too big and I need to run to NAPA.
The connector is DIFFERENT so you have to either splice in their wire or run it all the way to where you need to go. The good news is they provide PLENTY of length of wire.
It has built in (actually ON the back) overvoltage protection!! (Yeah!!! this is what started all this effort).
It has a line to connect to a "big red light" for low voltage. I ran the wire to the cockpit but no light yet as I have provision for that already via another sensor.
Summary: I decided to bite the bullet and go with the "deluxe" model. I plan to get the Van's 55 fixed (regulator replaced) and sell it. If anyone needs a regulator for a "newer" Van's 55A, I have one.
James
