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  #11  
Old 12-06-2013, 01:45 PM
Neal@F14's Avatar
Neal@F14 Neal@F14 is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Wichita Falls, TX
Posts: 2,182
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The Ford LTD regulators do work very well indeed. That's what I installed on my RV-6 when the original Vans-supplied Chrysler style 2-wire regulator failed shortly after I bought the airplane. It's not adjustable however, it's fixed and gives me about 14.2-14.4 volts in cruise flight. I have the older Honda Civic 35 amp alternator that Vans used to sell.

The 60 amp ND alternator with internal regulator can be modified to use an external regulator, I think I saw a post on the AeroElectric forums showing how to do it.

A brand of aftermarket adjustable regulator that seems to be popular with boaters and other off-road vehicle enthusiasts and that works well with ND alternators is "Transpo". They even make one with a remote mounted control so that you can fine tune your voltage while flying by twisting a knob on your panel.

I can't remember the exact website where I saw these for sale, but I think it was a marine supply company somewhere in Florida. A little googling should probably turn up numerous resellers of Transpo regulators.
EDIT: Here's one such place that sells them http://www.motorcityreman.com/unvore.html
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Last edited by Neal@F14 : 12-06-2013 at 01:50 PM.
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  #12  
Old 12-06-2013, 07:49 PM
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Rhino889 Rhino889 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Jupiter FL.
Posts: 451
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Neal,

Thanks for the post and the link!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Neal@F14 View Post
The Ford LTD regulators do work very well indeed. That's what I installed on my RV-6 when the original Vans-supplied Chrysler style 2-wire regulator failed shortly after I bought the airplane. It's not adjustable however, it's fixed and gives me about 14.2-14.4 volts in cruise flight. I have the older Honda Civic 35 amp alternator that Vans used to sell.

The 60 amp ND alternator with internal regulator can be modified to use an external regulator, I think I saw a post on the AeroElectric forums showing how to do it.

A brand of aftermarket adjustable regulator that seems to be popular with boaters and other off-road vehicle enthusiasts and that works well with ND alternators is "Transpo". They even make one with a remote mounted control so that you can fine tune your voltage while flying by twisting a knob on your panel.

I can't remember the exact website where I saw these for sale, but I think it was a marine supply company somewhere in Florida. A little googling should probably turn up numerous resellers of Transpo regulators.
EDIT: Here's one such place that sells them http://www.motorcityreman.com/unvore.html
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  #13  
Old 01-18-2014, 06:49 AM
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L'Avion L'Avion is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Memphis
Posts: 159
Default Alt switch problem?

Last Saturday, cranked up, alt charging normally after engine start; got to end of rw, final instrument check before t/o, alt not charging; alt & batt switches on/off several times, no soap.

Fortunately there is a starter/generator/alternator rebuilder on the field at KAWM - took both alternator and external regulator there, checked paired together - both working fine ---- ???? wire or switch problem advised the electrical doc......check 'em all.

Suspect the dual, red, alt/batt switch -- will report further, later.

Also, confirming Sam Buchanan's wiring for the Ford LTD regulator, Part #R400P at Advance Auto Parts (aviation section), $21.99; works good lasts a long time.
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  #14  
Old 01-26-2014, 03:52 PM
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L'Avion L'Avion is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Memphis
Posts: 159
Default Replaced Split Master Switch

01/26/15: first day that it's been warm enough to go to my hangar; replaced Cessna split master switch with new one from Spruce; ops normal, alt charging normally.
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  #15  
Old 01-26-2014, 05:21 PM
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Rhino889 Rhino889 is offline
 
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Thanks for the reminder to update on my experience.

Replaced the switch and still had a over-charging situation. Took off the cowl again and this time I noticed a very faint oily cloud around the area. I had just installed my smoke system 2 weeks earlier. The spray nozzle in exhaust #1 was slightly canted away from the alternator. Canted away means the nozzle was misting directly toward the alternator.

I tightened the nozzle down flush with the exhaust as should have been done in the 1st place. I pulled the alternator, but it looked clean of oil. I opened up the internal regulator and found oily residue throughout the internals.

$89 at pep boys for a new Alt, 16hrs more flying as of today and all systems normal.
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This is my personal account and does not reflect the official communications of Aircraftwraps.com. We have retained a username for such correspondence. I post about formation, eating, aerobatics and pilot stuff .
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  #16  
Old 02-23-2014, 11:28 AM
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fredbauerjr fredbauerjr is offline
 
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Location: 36WI, Holmen, WI
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Smile unsteady alternator voltage

I am getting in a little late on this BUT------------------
When we had a problem with the alternator voltage being 14.0 for a while, then 12.6 for a while, then 15.5 for a while we found the problem to be the wiring of the alternator circuit.
We did not use shielded wire for either the power (large wire) or the field (small wire) and we ran the wires parallel to each other and in close proximity to each other and we believe we were getting induced voltage from the power wire that was affecting the alternator field wire. We shielded the field wire and the problem went away.
I would recommend shielded wire for both the power and the field and would try to keep those wires away from anything electronic.
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