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  #1  
Old 01-02-2012, 08:08 PM
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papamike papamike is offline
 
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Location: McKinney, TX
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Default 12V or 24V?

I apologize if this has been asked before. What is the consensus on whether to go 12V or 24V? I've been reading Aircraft Wiring for Smart People and he brings up some good points about using 24V.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old 01-02-2012, 08:14 PM
Wayne Gillispie Wayne Gillispie is offline
 
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Location: USA
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I would say 12 Volts for 99% of us. Yep it has been discussed, but not like primer. I am very happy with my 12 V system.
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  #3  
Old 01-02-2012, 08:21 PM
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Location: Corvallis Oregon
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Default yup 12V

24V makes a lot of sense but the extra hassle really does not pay enough of a benefit to make it worthwhile
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  #4  
Old 01-02-2012, 08:29 PM
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GusBiz GusBiz is offline
 
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Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Default Weight

Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne Gillispie View Post
I would say 12 Volts for 99% of us. Yep it has been discussed, but not like primer. I am very happy with my 12 V system.
Its about weight mainly, that's not the only consideration but it's what the main argument is about. 24v allows you to use thinner wire. So it is less mass, but the battery is alot heavier. What does that all mean in the end? Well for a small plane where wire does not fun for 10s of metres, small batteries and thicker wire is better.
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  #5  
Old 01-03-2012, 09:33 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GusBiz View Post
Its about weight mainly, that's not the only consideration but it's what the main argument is about. 24v allows you to use thinner wire. So it is less mass, but the battery is alot heavier. What does that all mean in the end? Well for a small plane where wire does not fun for 10s of metres, small batteries and thicker wire is better.
The next major consideration (perhaps primary for some of us) is the price. Almost universally, where there is a price difference, 24-volt components are more expensive.
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Greg Niehues - SEL, IFR, Repairman Cert.
Garden City, TX VAF 2020 dues paid
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Built an off-plan RV9A with too much fuel and too much HP. Should drop dead any minute now.
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  #6  
Old 01-03-2012, 10:04 AM
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Default Price

Try buying a 24V alternator from Autozone!...
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  #7  
Old 01-03-2012, 12:19 PM
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John Clark John Clark is offline
 
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Location: Santa Barbara, CA
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In a small aircraft the weight issue is not worth the cost increase. I owned a 24v Baron for many years and the difference in price for things as basic as light bulbs was breathtaking, not to mention batteries, alternators, regulators and starters.

John Clark ATP, CFI
FAAST Team Representative
EAA Flight Advisor
RV8 N18U "Sunshine"
KSBA
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  #8  
Old 01-03-2012, 12:29 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frankh View Post
Try buying a 24V alternator from Autozone!...
"Ummm, yeah, I think it's a Suzuki Samurai..."
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Greg Niehues - SEL, IFR, Repairman Cert.
Garden City, TX VAF 2020 dues paid
N16GN flying 700 hrs and counting; IO360, SDS, WWRV200, Dynon HDX, 430W
Built an off-plan RV9A with too much fuel and too much HP. Should drop dead any minute now.
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  #9  
Old 01-03-2012, 01:22 PM
Loboflyer Loboflyer is offline
 
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Before putting all your faith in that document, consider the alternative viewpoint from Bob Nuckolls:

http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles...r/richter.html

Make sure to read the pdf files linked as first and second pass reviews.

Note: I am not saying that Bob is more right than Greg, but one should always consider both sides to every story.
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  #10  
Old 01-04-2012, 06:34 AM
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N395V N395V is offline
 
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Has anyone ever calculated exactly how much weight would be saved in a typical RV by going to 28V as opposed to 14 V?

I gotta believe it is so insignificant as to be un-measurable.

Ultimately you are going to want to put something into the plane that is 14 v and not available in 28V. Now you add a converter, weight, and complexity.

Simple and cheap are better.
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