Auto Alternators

[Walt]

FWIW, when I do a glass panel upgrade the aircraft goes out with a B&C installed, period.

[rapid_ascent]

Well I decided to just order the B&C.

While this is an area of interest of mine it was becoming another time sink and beginning to look like I was creating another project. The B&C alternators are a well respected product and a good alternative even if a lower cost auto alternator may work just fine too.

[WingsOnWheels]

The main reason I went with an auto alternator is field replacement. If I am AOG somewhere due to the alternator, I cancatch a ride to the nearest autoparts store and be on my way in no time.

[Walt]

Originally Posted by WingsOnWheels

The main reason I went with an auto alternator is field replacement. If I am AOG somewhere due to the alternator, I cancatch a ride to the nearest autoparts store and be on my way in no time.

The main reason for a B&C is NOT having to find an auto parts store when traveling. I doubt my wife would travel with me much if I told her our planned route has to have auto parts stores along the way

[WingsOnWheels]

Originally Posted by Walt

The main reason for a B&C is NOT having to find an auto parts store when traveling. I doubt my wife would travel with me much if I told her our planned route has to have auto parts stores along the way

Also a good point. But if it does fail, now you are trying to overnight parts and are stuck. Pro/cons both ways

[rocketbob]

None of my now $42.49 alternators have failed on me. But I can tell you guys a story about having to spend half a day getting a B&C fixed for a friend on the way to Oshkosh. A B&C is $720.00 with the regulator. No friggin thank you.

[rapid_ascent]

Yes there is a premium for the B&C but we each have our own considerations. Time and progress are mine. BTW Wicks has a deal on the bundle right now.

I actually purchased a Bosch AL257X from Amazon for $35 and purchased the mounting kit from B&C. They would require building spacers aligning the belt and etc. Given enough time these are simple operations with a possibly good outcome. I'm certainly not disputing that.

[rocketbob]

Premium? For what? Its a ND alternator. Repackaged with a little bit of proprietary sprinkled on to make you THINK its better.

I replaced a B&C starter once and called them to get a set of brushes to rebuild it as a spare. They wanted over $140 for the brush parts. Took it to a friend's starter/alternator shop. When he looked at it he said it was a Mitsubishi starter motor. Had the brushes on the shelf. Fixed it and didn't charge me so I bought him lunch.

[Caveman]

Bob,

I agree with most of what you've said, but our small town hasn't had an alternator repair shop for over 25 years and I had to have O'Reilly's overnight the Samurai alternator.. they didn't stock it. So those advantages of the auto alternator choice didn't work for me. I was pressed for time as my family was having a reunion in Colorado or I might have tried harder to find a way to make the PP mount work with the car alternator. It was more than just having different bushings machined. Also, I had visited the B&C booth at Oshkosh and they had a 10% off special if you purchased at the show. Even though I had a feeling the PP was overdue for failure based on reports of life expectancy on VAF, I decided to wait. Fortunately, when I called B&C and mentioned I talked to them at the show and should have bought then, they still gave me the discount. I think I paid $648 but that included the mount and regulator.

I was a little concerned that the auto alternator did not have crow bar overvoltage protection.

Both PP and B&C are way overpriced but I believe at least they are brand new and not rebuilt. We'll see how long the B&C lasts. My choice would definitely not be best for everyone but they seem to have a great reputation, and most of my flying is cross country these days so there is some comfort in reliability.

My second choice if I'd had the time would have been to try and source a regulator for the PP and reinstall it. I did take it apart and checked the brushes and they were fine.

[rocketbob]

Here's a better device for handling OV events.

http://www.periheliondesign.com/lovm.htm