Actually, the Van's supplied alternator is a 60A unit from a Suzuki Samari, made by Nippon Denso.
John Clark ATP, CFI
FAAST Team Representative
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
Hmmmmmmmm I wonder if they have a 70+ amp version?
Hmmmmmmmm I wonder if they have a 70+ amp version?
70 Amp is overkill for todays electronics... you should not need it.
Yes,
Nippon Denso makes two styles of alternators. The "small" units go from 30 amps to up to 60 amps. The "large" units go from 60 amps up to over 100 amps.
You want to use one out of a Honda. This is because auto engines rotate counterclockwise, except for Hondas. Hondas and Lycomings rotate clockwise [viewed from driver's seat] Most newer Honda Accords with A/C have 70+ amp alternators.
Proper rotation ensures you will get maximum performance from the two internal fans in the large style alternator. That said, even with the fans running backwards, I doubt that you would have any issues, other than perhaps a shorter life span of the alternator.
Modern cars use serpentine belts to drive the alternator. You will need to buy a Vee belt pulley with a 15mm shaft hole to adapt a car alternator to a Lycoming. These are available at most automotive "speed" shops for a reasonable price. A 4" diameter pulley will work the best. Smaller pulleys will spin the alternator much faster than it does in a car, because the Lycoming flywheel pulley is much larger. Excessive speed will reduce the life of the rotor bearings.
The link below shows a B&C modified "small" style ND alternator.
http://www.bandc.biz/ProductImages/L40.jpg
The steel bracket and spacer tube on the alternator pivot is one of the "improvements" that B&C performs on their "small" style units. That spacer and bracket do not come on the stock ND small alternators.
The link below shows what a large ND alternator looks like
http://www.bandc.biz/alternator60ampswithbossmountbrackethomebuilt-1.aspx
Notice the much "beefier" pivot point on the large ND unit. The stock automotive ND alternators look like this. The physically larger size and the bigger pivot point are the easiest ways to differentiate a "small" from a "large" ND alternator. FYI, the rectifier diodes on the large units are much more durable. Hope this helps you.
Charlie
THANKS for the info. Do these Honda alternators use an internal or external voltage regulator?
Both,
ND alternators were externally regulated up to model year 1983. The internally regulated alternators started in 1984. FYI, Chrysler switched to ND alternators over 15 years ago. They wanted to let the PCM [Powertrain Control Module aka engine computer] act as the voltage regulator in 1995. Because of this, it is possible [actually easy] to switch a late model "large" ND alternator to external regulation, using stock ND parts. Cost is about $15 for the parts. The conversion can be done without splitting the alternator cases, in less than 20 minutes.
Unless you plan on having electrically heated seats, high amp lighting or air conditioning, you won't "need" the larger style alternator. The larger style alternators will add two to three pounds of weight, compared to the smaller versions. What are you planning, that you feel you need the extra power?
Charlie
Because you never know what electric "gadget" will be appear in the future.
Because you never know what electric "gadget" will be appear in the future.
The Honda civic alternator ( 35 amp) rotates the proper way for aircraft engines The lester n. is 14184 It is a B type alternator and is externally regulated. Can be used with the B& C regulator. Autozone has them for around $ 30 with no core. Do a search on VAF with 14184
Mark Wyss
RV-4 final assembly
O 360 A1A
The Honda Civic alternator also works great with a 1975 Ford LTD regulator, less than $15 at the auto parts store. This is the combo I've been running since 1999.
Alternatively, does anyone have a PN for the small unit (55-60amp) or year/model of fitment?
Thanks,
Try a Lester # 14684....use it in an internet search, or on one of the common auto parts web sites - they usually cross-reference.
Paul,
Thank you for the input. That number is for the SUZUKI SAMURAI alternator. Do you know if that model is designed to turn the correct direction or will the fans run backwards?
Digging up an older thread here:
I have been digging through the Auto parts websites looking for one of the small ND alternators from a honda. I have been comparing the pictures to the B&C website for reference and it looks like everything in the 55-60amp range is the large type with the full-length mounting boss. I am fine with most aspects of the larger alternator. I just really want to avoid making changes to the cowl. Has anyone mounted the large internally regulated unit? Did you have to add a bubble to the cowl? Alternatively, does anyone have a PN for the small unit (55-60amp) or year/model of fitment?
Thanks,
Actually, there are more than "small" and "large" Denso alternators. What you're thinking of is a medium size, pictured below. An '86 Honda Civic unit (60A) is what I have in my -6 and fits the cowl just fine. Only mod you need to do is replace the multi-rib pulley with a V-belt pulley. Granted, that can be difficult if you're in BFE when it dies, but 5 min to swap with an impact wrench. Lester 14759 is the interchange p/n. This unit, as all pre-2000 Honda 4-cylinders, is CCW rotation (same as a Lyc, so the cooling fan is correct).
If you're interested, search my username on this site and find the article I wrote on how to mod Denso alternators so that you have complete shutdown control (not unlike how one of our favorite vendors does it).
Here's a pic of the Civic unit:
I had the auto type alternator. As others, my alternator's mounting ear cracked. I upgraded to what Van's offers now, PlanePower alternators.
They are manufacturers of both certified and experimental alternators.
I like PlanePower alt much better. Other say it will last longer than the engine. My original auto alternator only lasted 300 hours. Not impressed with it since I talked to others that had same story. I say go with Plane power alternator that Van's now offers, it even comes with a belt and easy install.
Just my experience.
Check out the B&C, made for airplanes and works great. Personally I can't understand why so many people will spend megabucks on avionics equipment and then use the cheapest alternator they can find to power them
Because these alternators provide a better cost/risk value than the "high-quality" alternators.Check out the B&C, made for airplanes and works great. Personally I can't understand why so many people will spend megabucks on avionics equipment and then use the cheapest alternator they can find to power them
Check out the B&C, made for airplanes and works great. Personally I can't understand why so many people will spend megabucks on avionics equipment and then use the cheapest alternator they can find to power them
Paul,
Thank you for the input. That number is for the SUZUKI SAMURAI alternator. Do you know if that model is designed to turn the correct direction or will the fans run backwards?
FYI... A friend of mine bought an RV6A from a gentlemen. He was back from a local flight only to find holes in his cowling. After taking the cowling off he found the culprit. The fan in the alternator blew up. It was a Wilson alternator. He phoned the manufacturer and come to find out that with the pulley setup he had that the alternator was turning at roughly 9000 RPM at cruise. The alternator was designed to turn a max. of 4500 RPM. He went to an aircraft specific alternator!
Hmmmm.... it's kinda hard to blame this on the alternator, isn't it? I can't help but wonder how long his aircraft specific alternator would last if it turned at 9,000 rpm. ???
Colin, will you please share the model number of the alternator you're exploring?