|
-POSTING RULES
-Advertise in here!
-
Today's Posts
|
Insert Pics
Keep VAF
Going
w/a Donation
VAF on Twitter:
@VansAirForceNet
|
07-24-2023, 09:57 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dublin Ireland
Posts: 14
|
|
Alternator blast tube
I’ve built my RV14 as per the plans firewall forward which means that I have the vent fitted on the right hand forward inlet ramp to direct air to the heater muffs on the exhaust. This is standard for the non EXP119 IO-390.
I haven’t fitted a cooling blast tube for the Plane Power alternator and wondering if I should modify the inlet ramp to accept a second takeoff point for a blast tube.
What have others done? I’ve only 20 hours on the aircraft at this stage and hoping for a reasonable lifespan for the alternator.
Thanks in anticipation for any replies.
Ian
RV14A EI-XIV.
|
07-24-2023, 10:16 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 507
|
|
I did exactly that on my RV-10. I forget if it was in the plans or not, but keeping the alternator cool seemed logical to me.
__________________
N1814T
RV-10 build blog -- https://eaabuilderslog.org/?blproject&proj=7ZSwfzr2g
Started 12/19/2019
Construction "finished" 12/20/22 (and now the improvements start)
Airworthiness certificate 2/16/2023
First Flight 3/12/2023
Phase 1 completed 7/9/23
EAA and AOPA member
Donated 2/8/2023
|
07-24-2023, 10:28 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Southwest, USA
Posts: 2,961
|
|
Blast tube +
Besides adding a blast tube, I added a heat shield so the red hot exhaust pipe is not "seen" by the alternator. In my mind, this may be more critical for long life.
__________________
John S
WARNING! Information presented in this post is my opinion. All users of info have sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for their use.
Dues paid 2023, worth every penny
RV9A- Status:
Flying June 2023
www.pilotjohnsrv9.blogspot.com
or builders log here on VAF: Pilotjohns
|
07-24-2023, 10:48 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dublin Ireland
Posts: 14
|
|
I know this subject was covered several times including a year ago when James Hartline asked the same question but I’m looking for the latest info and thoughts on whether or not a blast tube is actually needed. Also is there any relevant temperature information available on the RV14 installation.
Thanks
Ian.
|
07-24-2023, 04:23 PM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 4,512
|
|
I have had a 3/4" blast tube to the alternator on all three planes and consider this standard for me. I have never had any issues with the alternator on any of the three planes.
__________________
Mehrdad
N825SM RV7A - IO360M1B - SOLD
N825MS RV14A - IO390 - SOLD
N258SM RV14A - IO390EXP119 - Out of Paint shop & flying
Dues paid
|
07-24-2023, 11:23 PM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LSGY
Posts: 5,479
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Condor
I know this subject was covered several times including a year ago when James Hartline asked the same question but I’m looking for the latest info and thoughts on whether or not a blast tube is actually needed. Also is there any relevant temperature information available on the RV14 installation.
Thanks
Ian.
|
Hi Ian, just this weekend several people commented that I don't have an alternator cooling blast tube on my RV-8. I didn't give it a lot of thought, but recall seeing some saying it was required, and some saying it was not needed. I guess I took the easy path. My normal alternator load is about 9-12 amps, so perhaps I'm not working it very hard. So far about 250 hours on my Hartzell/PP alternator. I hope I didn't jinx it! |
07-25-2023, 02:25 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Dublin Ireland
Posts: 14
|
|
Hi Ian, just this weekend several people commented that I don't have an alternator cooling blast tube on my RV-8. I didn't give it a lot of thought, but recall seeing some saying it was required, and some saying it was not needed. I guess I took the easy path. My normal alternator load is about 9-12 amps, so perhaps I'm not working it very hard. So far about 250 hours on my Hartzell/PP alternator. I hope I didn't jinx it!
__________________
Mickey Coggins
My alternator load is about the same and I’ve made sure the drive belt is not too tight. I did see a post referring to a better spec on the later PP alternator since Hartzell took over but this could be an urban myth!
Ian.
|
07-25-2023, 06:59 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 9,054
|
|
No blast tubes on either of my planes. 900 hours on the $35 ND alt and keeps on chugging along. Key to longevity is buying the right alt. Pp alt is not on that list for me anyway. I also prefer externally regulated to keep temps low on the electronics
Larry
__________________
N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019
|
07-25-2023, 07:22 AM
|
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: LSGY
Posts: 5,479
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lr172
No blast tubes on either of my planes. 900 hours on the $35 ND alt and keeps on chugging along. Key to longevity is buying the right alt. Pp alt is not on that list for me anyway. I also prefer externally regulated to keep temps low on the electronics
Larry
|
Sorry for the thread hijack, but do you buy ND alternators that already support external VR or do you do surgery on it yourself? |
07-25-2023, 08:19 AM
|
 |
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mojave
Posts: 5,201
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by lr172
No blast tubes on either of my planes. 900 hours on the $35 ND alt and keeps on chugging along. Key to longevity is buying the right alt. Pp alt is not on that list for me anyway. I also prefer externally regulated to keep temps low on the electronics
Larry
|
Same here. ND from NAPA auto parts and modified for the B&C external regulator. With EFI, I cruise at 25+ amps. No external cooling.
Flew into Vegas last night and OAT on downwind was 102 degrees at 1945 hrs
No issues in 400 hours on this alternator system
__________________
WARNING! Incorrect design and/or fabrication of aircraft and/or components may result in injury or death. Information presented in this post is based on my own experience - Reader has sole responsibility for determining accuracy or suitability for use.
Michael Robinson
______________
Harmon Rocket II -SDS EFI
1940 Taylorcraft BL-65
1984 L39C - SOLD
RV-8 - SDS CPI - SOLD
|
| Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
|
| Display Modes |
 Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:11 AM.
|
