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  #1  
Old 06-17-2022, 07:01 PM
Jake14 Jake14 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Seattle
Posts: 412
Default alternator voltage drop
Just noticed this morning that my bus voltage with the engine running was 13.8 throughout the 1-hr flight. It's always been 14.3 - 14.4 for the 650 hours since new

Plane Power, internal regulator. Belt is tight. Is this a sign of impending failure?
should I just get a new one?
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  #2  
Old 06-17-2022, 08:30 PM
Mich48041 Mich48041 is offline
 
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Location: Riley TWP MI
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Take the alternator "B" lead terminals apart and clean them and reassemble.
Make sure all charging system connections are clean and tight.
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  #3  
Old 07-06-2022, 01:54 PM
Jake14 Jake14 is offline
 
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went to check the connections like you said but it looks like it's throwing oil..so ordered a new one from AS $1249 with core charge.. !!!

Click image for larger version Name: IMG_2379.jpg Views: 180 Size: 358.9 KB ID: 27820
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  #4  
Old 07-06-2022, 02:30 PM
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Lycosaurus Lycosaurus is offline
 
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Location: Ottawa, ON
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Default There is no oil in an alternator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake14 View Post
went to check the connections like you said but it looks like it's throwing oil..so ordered a new one from AS $1249 with core charge.. !!!

Attachment 27820
IMHO... That is engine oil. The alternator brushes may be soaked in this oil, and might need a cleaning or replacement. Do not throw that alternator out, it may still have some life left.

You will need to hunt down the oil leak. If not fixed, the leak will possibly damage your new alternator in short order.
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  #5  
Old 07-06-2022, 04:56 PM
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Larco Larco is offline
 
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Default fixed the photo
As just said, no oil in Alternator.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: IMG_2379.jpeg Views: 124 Size: 363.3 KB ID: 27826  
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  #6  
Old 07-06-2022, 10:32 PM
Jake14 Jake14 is offline
 
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Hmmm..of course ...I guess my first thought was that a bad bearing was causing the mess, but obviously not the case..thanks for the responses
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  #7  
Old 07-07-2022, 05:29 AM
Gusmax Gusmax is offline
 
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Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta
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Feel the back side of the ring gear/flywheel, if there is oil, it will be your front crank seal leaking.
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  #8  
Old 07-07-2022, 08:37 AM
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bhester bhester is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Hopkinsville, KY
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Default Wow $1249
Really glad I'm using a Autozone Part# 14824 $80 alternator.
13 yrs and 1300 hrs on the first one. Over 150 hrs so far on the second one.
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Last edited by bhester : 07-07-2022 at 09:55 AM.
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  #9  
Old 07-07-2022, 08:29 PM
spatsch spatsch is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Denison, TX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jake14 View Post
went to check the connections like you said but it looks like it's throwing oil..so ordered a new one from AS $1249 with core charge.. !!!

Attachment 27820
You do know that a brand new alternator kit at Vans costs "only" 925$

https://store.vansaircraft.com/plane...or-deluxe.html

and you can keep the core. You also will get a belt, brackets and other stuff you won't need but still 324$ cheaper then going to Plane and Power and getting the "deal" with core credit ... .


Oliver
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  #10  
Old 07-07-2022, 08:34 PM
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wcalvert wcalvert is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Anacortes Wa
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My IO-360 had a similar (but smaller) leak when new, but has since (180 hours) disappeared. That leads me to believe it was a front main seal settling in...

Just a guess, but mine stopped.
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Last edited by wcalvert : 07-07-2022 at 08:35 PM. Reason: Saw the hours listed on an earlier post ...
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