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Plane Power 60 amp alternator issue
Not sure if it is a Plane Power problem or not but here is what is happening to me. I started out on a flight on Friday and after in the air noticed my fuel flow was way higher than it should be on the D180 and started looking at the other things on the screen. I noticed that the alternator wasn't charging and my voltage was dropping slowly, so I turned around and went back to my home airport and drove for 17 hours. Today I pulled the alternator (60 amp Plane Power with internal regulator) that has no more than 60 hours on it, took it to the parts house and checked it. Didn't find any issues. Put it back on, ran it up on the ground and everything was normal. Cowled the plane back up and went on a flight and the same thing happened. No breakers tripped, just not charging and the voltage slowly going down. Didn't find any broken wires. Gave up after dark and came home.
I am wondering if heat is causing the alternator to stop charging or if the heat is affecting the plug connector where the wiring plugs into the alternator. I was hoping someone might have seen this before. I need this resolved because my mom is not well and I need to making this trip regularly. Thanks for any help. |
Check the connector on the alt. I think this may be your issue.
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Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for.
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Had similar dropping voltage reading on my D-180 and thought it was the alternator. After putting a voltmeter directly on the battery bus, found that the alternator was OK. Turned out to be the circuit breaker for the D-180.
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I have a separate volt meter that agrees with my D180, so I think the plug might be the issue.
Will check it out after work today. |
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I took checked the connections, traced wiring, checked voltage. Turns out it is the alternator itself. Took it to a shop and found the stator wires broken. Called plane power to get a replacement alternator and they gave me a couple of distributors phone numbers. So far no joy finding a replacement from distributors close by.
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I found a replacement alternator at AS, but the alternator in more expensive than the complete kit.
I have talked to 4 vendors so far. Chief, Aviall, Quality Aircraft, AS. Anyone know other vendors I could call for Plane Power alternators? Plane Power said I would need to contact an authorized vendor to order. |
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Or just buy a new one. Edit: just in case someone needs a stator, ASPWholesale.com can get one. Just use the 1995 Toyota Tercel 60A version as the base unit. $55. |
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