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-   -   Plane Power 60 amp alternator issue (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=136208)

alpinelakespilot2000 06-04-2016 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lr172 (Post 1084692)
I got a 50 Amp ND alternator set up for non-standard rotation (to help cooling). It was $40 from amazon or autozone. It's cheap enough that you can keep a spare in your baggage area. However, you can usually pick one up at a local auto parts store 7 days a week. Far greater utility in my mind than the PP. Sure, it may only last several hundred hours, but at $40 it could be replaced preventatively at 500 hours.

I can't believe that PP would use a cheap knock-off alternator and charge $500 for it.

Larry

Larry, is this attached to a plane power mounting bracket? Is it externally regulated? These are the two ideal features I'm looking for in order to dump my plane power.

hgerhardt 06-04-2016 02:14 PM

FWIW, all pre-2000 Honda FWD 4-cylinders run "backwards" compared to almost all other automotive engines and therefore have the correct cooling fans to work with our Lycomings.

I've been using a 1986 Civic 60A ND alternator on my -6 for the past 9 years and ~700 hours and have had no issues (yet... knock on wood). I got the thing from a local Pick-Your-Part and rebuilt it myself, so I have about $40 invested so far. The original multi-rib pulley was swapped for an earlier V-belt version. I also reverse-engineered a PP internal regulator and applied the mod to mine so that I have complete control over field power. (The "complete control" part being the primary reason for desiring an external regulator). If you're interested in making the PP mod to your own ND alternator, PM me and I'll show you how.

Heinrich

kmorris 06-09-2016 01:43 PM

This is the company that I had fix my Plane Power 60 amp units. The unit was more than 2 years old which put it out of warranty (58 total hours of use). The alternator had a stator wire fail at the coil.

Liberal Magneto Company
749 South Kansas Ave
Liberal, KS 67901
620-624-7654
Ask for Mike

Hope this helps.

Shadetree 06-11-2016 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmorris (Post 1086100)
This is the company that I had fix my Plane Power 60 amp units. The unit was more than 2 years old which put it out of warranty (58 total hours of use). The alternator had a stator wire fail at the coil.

Liberal Magneto Company
749 South Kansas Ave
Liberal, KS 67901
620-624-7654
Ask for Mike

Hope this helps.

They fixed my Plane Power alternator too.

petersb 06-15-2016 12:08 PM

Another plane power failure. 350 hours over 2years. Was intermittent for a couple of days then stopped.

Purchased from Vans, out of warranty, considering the high failure rate not sure what to replace it with.

krw5927 06-15-2016 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petersb (Post 1087775)
considering the high failure rate not sure what to replace it with.

Read through this thread and the answer will come to you. (Hint: it starts with B and ends with C :D)

petersb 06-15-2016 06:00 PM

The failure mode consisted of the voltage fluctuating between 12 and 14 for a couple of days. Seemed like a loose field connection. I checked all connections, squeezed the terminals closed, still no joy.

Went to the alternator shop, they put it on the tester and it worked. Got a spare plug from them, installed it in the plane and now it works again.

I cannot see anything wrong with the original plug but obviously there is something wrong inside

BillL 06-15-2016 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petersb (Post 1087886)
The failure mode consisted of the voltage fluctuating between 12 and 14 for a couple of days. Seemed like a loose field connection. I checked all connections, squeezed the terminals closed, still no joy.

Went to the alternator shop, they put it on the tester and it worked. Got a spare plug from them, installed it in the plane and now it works again.

I cannot see anything wrong with the original plug but obviously there is something wrong inside

Did you pot the backside of the new connector to stabilize the terminals within?

petersb 06-15-2016 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillL (Post 1087916)
Did you pot the backside of the new connector to stabilize the terminals within?

The new plug is automotive ( very used and provided free), very similar in design to PP , however, the holes the pins go into in the plug seem much smaller in diameter and I think will grip the pins tighter.

I did not pot the backside as there is already rubber filling the holes and supporting the wire , also no room left to pot.

Peter

BillL 06-15-2016 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petersb (Post 1087922)
The new plug is automotive ( very used and provided free), very similar in design to PP , however, the holes the pins go into in the plug seem much smaller in diameter and I think will grip the pins tighter.

I did not pot the backside as there is already rubber filling the holes and supporting the wire , also no room left to pot.

Peter

I ordered new terminals (sumitomo), connector, and the back plugs from this company as a backup. http://www.driftmotion.com/category-s/1847.htm

We don't have to settle for used parts, except until the new parts arrive.


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