Alternator Reliability Poll

[Marc Bourget]

I guess I was speaking with the engineer discussed in the article!

[Neal@F14]

35A Honda Civic alternator, as supplied by Vans, still going strong after nearly 500 hours over 13 years. The original Vans-supplied aluminum alternator bracket and external regulator did fail and had to be replaced. Regulator at 250 hours and bracket around 350.

[videobobk]

I did find out once that even a B&C 60A alt/reg will not prevent the battery from running down if you leave the master switch on.

[krw5927]

Originally Posted by videobobk

I did find out once that even a B&C 60A alt/reg will not prevent the battery from running down if you leave the master switch on.

Similarly, I found out that the B&C alternator did not make me better looking.

[Captain_John]

Originally Posted by krw5927

Similarly, I found out that the B&C alternator did not make me better looking.

However, it does seem to improve memory! I bet that he will never forget to shut off the master!

CJ

P.S. I think we should have a similar thread on starters now also!

I was very pleased to ditch my old SkyTec on Mikey B.!

[Bill.Peyton]

I believe that the poll should include the voltage regulator in the failure rate. The Plane Power has and integral regulator and the B&C uses and external. I would be curious what the stats would look like if some of the posters with B&C included their voltage regulator failure.

[Captain_John]

Originally Posted by Bill.Peyton

I believe that the poll should include the voltage regulator in the failure rate. The Plane Power has and integral regulator and the B&C uses and external. I would be curious what the stats would look like if some of the posters with B&C included their voltage regulator failure.

I bet that it wouldn't be very different.

The voltage regulator is electronic (not the old Ford style) and installed in the cockpit for reliability reasons.

CJ

[Bill.Peyton]

Just by the posters here, it would include three additional failures of non-PP alternators. Agree, not much different, but non the less important to be accurate.

[dmaib]

I started out with the B&C 60A as primary and the B&C SD20 on the vacuum pad as the backup. I changed from the 60A at about 300 hours. No problems at all with the B&C, but I found a 70A National Air Parts alternator and I wanted the extra amps for air conditioning loads. National Air Parts is in Deland, FL and they build very robust alternators. I don't recall what it cost, but it was not out of line compared to the B&C. They supply alternators to flight schools and other high volume users and have a very solid reputation. The alternator has been fault free now for over 500 hours. It was compatible with my B&C voltage regulator. It is physically larger than the B&C, so I had to buy a different tension arm, but it was readily available, so the installation was pretty much a drop in replacement. Made sure that all existing wiring was adequate, and that was it. The SD20 works well for a backup. I can basically run all of my panel on the SD20, so I do not lose IFR capability. The SD20 depends on RPM to put out rated power, so if I have all avionics on, the landing lights and boost pump for landing will max out the SD20. Bottom line is, my load shed requirements are minimal and I have my VP-200 programmed to shed differently depending on whether I am in the VMC or IMC mode. I sold the B&C on this forum, and imagine it is still happily producing electricity for an RV owner somewhere.

[Captain_John]

Originally Posted by Bill.Peyton

Just by the posters here, it would include three additional failures of non-PP alternators. Agree, not much different, but non the less important to be accurate.

I just did a brief scan of the replies. I couldn't find any that had B and C voltage regulator problems within the first 250 hours.

Maybe I missed them?

CJ