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  #1  
Old 05-28-2017, 03:42 PM
Jackm Jackm is offline
 
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Default Removing the cowling for preflight inspection

I removed the cowling to find this.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/c6nhzudyew...2000.jpeg?dl=0

It was a lesson learned for me to pull cowling more often. I sensed something was wrong due to last flight on run up the aux charge was a negative. It had been approx 15 hours since I had cowl off and no indication of a issue as I was next to the alternator changing the oil filter. The fact that the alternator had come apart was not as alarming as the fact it was resting on the oil filter and on its way to wear a hole into the the oil filter. I have not looked at what caused it to come apart but I suspect either loose internal bolts or possible thread strip.
Thought I would share as something to look for
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Last edited by Jackm : 05-28-2017 at 03:49 PM.
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Old 05-29-2017, 04:59 AM
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Capflyer Capflyer is offline
 
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Default

Good catch.

I looked at the picture before reading the rest of the post and it took me a moment to see the b/u alternator. A habit I have always done is when I check the oil on pre-flight I look through the door for a visual of anything that can be seen. Two reasons; first to see if anything is out of place, missing, or sprayed and second to see the oil filter and the hours visibly written on it for when it needs to be changed.
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Old 05-29-2017, 09:05 AM
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I always do a sniff test in addition to see if anything like oil or fuel is particularly strong smelling under the cowling.
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Old 05-29-2017, 09:39 AM
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Who was the manufacture of your standby alternator?
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Old 05-29-2017, 09:42 AM
gasman gasman is offline
 
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Default

I always liked the idea of a direct drive alternator. I never liked the center of mass so far from the mount.

Please let us know how the manufacturer responds.
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Old 05-29-2017, 11:33 AM
DRMA DRMA is offline
 
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Default

Perhaps a little off topic, but has anyone modified the top cowl on an RV to allow it to be quickly and easily opened on one or both sides for a quick look as a part of every pre-flight?

My current airplane is a Grumman which allows me to pop the cowl with just 2 latches and open it on its top hinge to inspect the engine. I was taught to do this every time as part of my pre-flight, and it does allow me to confirm no oil or fuel leaks, no hoses rubbing or other possible problems.

I would like to have a similar ability in the RV-10 I'm currently building, rather than just the small oil door opening. However I haven't determined if this is practical. My current thinking it to build it per the plans for now, and then perhaps try to modify it after Phase 1 when I have a flying aircraft and time to experiment.
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  #7  
Old 05-29-2017, 12:07 PM
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rv8ch rv8ch is offline
 
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Default Gary Newsted

Gary Newsted has/had an RV-9 with a cowl that opened - it was really well done, and allowed easy inspection. He had a Subaru in there, so didn't need the baffles - that might have made things a bit easier. I think this would be a very nice mod, as I find removing the cowl to be a bit of a pain now, and I'm sure once I paint, it will be really tricky.
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Old 05-29-2017, 12:19 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rv8ch View Post
Gary Newsted has/had an RV-9 with a cowl that opened - it was really well done, and allowed easy inspection. He had a Subaru in there, so didn't need the baffles - that might have made things a bit easier. I think this would be a very nice mod, as I find removing the cowl to be a bit of a pain now, and I'm sure once I paint, it will be really tricky.
Haven't heard that name for a while... And, a "lobster pot" for an air cleaner!
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Old 05-29-2017, 03:12 PM
krw5927 krw5927 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RV6_flyer View Post



Who was the manufacture of your standby alternator?
Looks more like a Plane Power http://www.plane-power.com/FS1-14.php than a B&C http://www.bandc.aero/alternator45ampshomebuilt1-2.aspx.

I could be wrong...
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  #10  
Old 05-29-2017, 04:25 PM
Jackm Jackm is offline
 
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Yes it is plane power....I covered the label because I am not interested in negative feedback against the manufacturer...they have been good to me and it did have 456 hrs on it.
That is one thing with RV10 cowl is not much to see through oil door.
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