Auto Alternators

[chaskuss]

Originally Posted by rocketbob

These have been flawless for me:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And they're now down to $37.00!!

Bob, How much does it weigh?

Charlie

[keitht]

When working through the options for alternator selection I came the conclusion there were two clear choices in ?standard? offerings ( B&C and Planepower) and the alternate route of selecting a suitable automotive offering and doing the engineering. The second option seemed a much less costly solution but could be problematic in time and all the development work needed to ensure performance and reliability. B & C seemed to have their act together more than Planepower based on forum postings so I am going with B & C. I also purchased the B&C grounding terminal block. Whereas the B&C alternator and regulator designs showed clear evidence of precision mass production engineering techniques being used the terminal block was an entirely different animal - tag strips soldered on to a brass plate - much more of a hobbyshop product. It got me thinking. Is B&C principally a rebranding operation that has the capability to inspect and relabel selected automotive parts or a true developer of electrical components? I dont know the answer to the question - I strongly suspect the former but they have done the work to select suitable components and the development work to build a reputation for reliable operation so I dont feel bad about paying the freight to purchase parts from them. I did rework the terminal strip to remove the excess solder, attach the tag strip to the brass plate with four 426-4 rivets and reflow the solder to make it look presentable. Using solder to mechanically attach anything in a vibration environment is always a bad plan. I would be curious to know if others have had similar thoughts about which particular brand of alternator and regulator B&C is using as the basis for their product line. Personally I feel more at ease if they are using a rebranded automotive product. Product variability will be lower and reliability higher.

KT

[philrisl]

For the grounding plate, I am using one from Stein which is riveted and soldered.

[chaskuss]

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

Good to know. Is the the case on current build alternators? Can you trace how far back this is the case? We have seen several reports here where bearings were on their way out in less than 100 hours. Would be nice to know where those ones were made.

For genuine Denso, you can go here and type in your zip to find a dealer close to you: http://densoautoparts.com/where-to-buy.aspx#

The best of components can be defeated by an unskilled or apathetic work force assembling the alternators. Every week contains a Monday morning and a Friday afternoon!

Charlie

[rv6ejguy]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

The best of components can be defeated by an unskilled or apathetic work force assembling the alternators. Every week contains a Monday morning and a Friday afternoon!

Charlie

True, but poor quality parts will fail prematurely no matter who assembles them. I've seen enough "offshore made" junk bearings installed on many devices fail in 1/100th the normal lifespan of Timken, SKF, Koyo etc. brands.

I'm not picking on any particular brand but the PP stuff clearly went quickly downhill once it was outsourced. Hopefully Hartzell will be bringing the quality and durability back up to where it was before that move.

The automotive rebuild world is often guilty as well, replacing the quality OEM bearings, brushes and rectifiers with cheap junk- often with the same result.

[BillL]

Originally Posted by rv6ejguy

Good to know. Is the the case on current build alternators? Can you trace how far back this is the case? We have seen several reports here where bearings were on their way out in less than 100 hours. Would be nice to know where those ones were made.

For genuine Denso, you can go here and type in your zip to find a dealer close to you: http://densoautoparts.com/where-to-buy.aspx#

Ross, I have no way of knowing what the production changes might be on the PP alternators. You know how hard it is to get facts. The country of manufacture is laser printed on each bearing or on the seal. People with failed PP parts need to report that for us to know.

For auto alternators, what would we do if we knew? Isn't that why we try to buy a reputable brand?

EDIT - Do we know that the source manufacturer was changed with the Hartzell acquisition of PP or just happened to have a production problem? The H rep reported here the changes found for the problems, and I heard the exact same thing from the Hartzell guys at OSH this year. If VAFers want to send me some of the failed PP 60A units I will take them apart and report the finding. A VAF member sent his and it provided a huge about of information. I went down a rabbit hole with the bearing replacement, but that is about to it's end.

Edit #2 - That densoparts link is not to a denso company. I called them. Great site, and reference though.

[gmcjetpilot]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

Bob, How much does it weigh?

Charlie

The small frame 35-45 amp ND alternators are about 7 lbs without brackets. You will not get much lighter. The one in questions has A LOT of hot air greatest latest efficiency hype... OK. It's a copy of a 1990's ND. If it is China I would stay away. The Taiwan made clones were better but cost more. This is seriously cheap for a new alternator... even a clone. Buy it, fly it and report back...

[rocketbob]

Originally Posted by chaskuss

Bob, How much does it weigh?

Charlie

Oh, about 5x the weight of an unladen swallow.

Similar in weight to other alternators. I dunno.

[Brdog42]

Originally Posted by rocketbob

Oh, about 5x the weight of an unladen swallow.

Similar in weight to other alternators. I dunno.

Bob,

African or European swallow?

[keitht]

Looking at the link for the alternator used by Bob it seems pretty clear that the B&C alternator is from the Denso stable - just have to find the particular model number for the equivelent part. Now have to also track down the regulator and see if there is an equivelent version of the regulator with overvoltage protection. Objective here is to find alternative sources for alternators and regulators for field replacement/repairs.
KT