new alternator

[Deweyclawson]

I have a 1993 RV6A I bought last Oct. O360 A1A. I just finished upgrading the panel to GRT HXr, A/P, ADSB, ECI, etc. Just after I got the plane home, the alt froze. I had i rebuilt and discovered it is a 30 amp alt. I now find it is maxed out when everything is on, pitot heat, lts, charging, etc. It was just working too hard for the last 20 years. Santa left some Aircraft Spruce gift cards under the tree this year so it is time for a new alternator.

Which one?????
Regulator????

I am leaning towards the Plane Power AL 12-EI60. Does this need an external regulator? The one review on A-S the reviewer said it puts out 14.7v and is not adjustable. The description in the catalogue says "internal regulator".

What is the difference between "boss mount" and "case mount"????

Thanks in advance.

Deweyclawson@hotmail.com

[Auburntsts]

So the jury is out in my opinion as to brands at the 60amp size: PlanePower or B&C. Also some use a regular car alternator but there's pros and cons to that as well.

See this thread for more info. http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=138805

I had a 70amp PlanePower and had no issues, but I just went down to a 60 amp and switched to B&C.

The PlanePower (PP) alt's come in both externally (EE in the model#) and internally regulated (IE in the model#) models. Personally if you go PP I'd go internal if for nothing more than simplicity in wiring. B&C only come in externally regulated models. If you that route I'd get their LR3C-14 regulator.

A boss mount uses a pad located next to the starter as the alternator bracket mount:


If there's no pad then you use a case mount that uses case bolts to mount the main bracket t the engine.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by Deweyclawson

alternator.

Which one?????
Regulator????

Thanks in advance.

Deweyclawson@hotmail.com

As Todd has indicated, everything you ever wanted to know about potential RV alternators is contained within the thread he recommended. It's from June 2016 so quite current data.

The thread was 98 posts long and included a very enlightening reliability poll survey. The survey revealed that in the first 250 hours of service B&C had a failure rate of 1.2% compared to a failure rate of 21.8% for auto alternators and a failure rate of 24.5% for Plane Power alternators.

The survey and the associated posts on the thread clearly indicate that Plane Power's record has been worse than abysmal and that B&Cs well known reputation for reliability is completely justified. It just proves that, as with everything else in life, you get what you pay for. It just depends on what value you put on the reliability of the electron flow in your aircraft.

Get a cup of coffee and start reading.

[BillL]

Call and talk to the B&C guys, they frequently have a special where the regulator comes free and not always advertised. A pretty good deal, if you are considering the B&C.

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by Captain Avgas

The survey revealed that in the first 250 hours of service B&C had a failure rate of 1.2% compared to a failure rate of 21.8% for auto alternators and a failure rate of 24.5% for Plane Power alternators.

The survey and the associated posts on the thread clearly indicate that Plane Power's record has been worse than abysmal and that B&Cs well known reputation for reliability is completely justified.

I'm not taking sides on the alternator discussion and the referenced thread was informative. However, the poll was definitely not scientific and the reader should not regard it as such. The poll might be useful as a single datapoint, but not as a definitive comparison of reliability.

[rv7charlie]

+1 to Sam's comment. With auto alts, pedigree & installer's skills at adapting/installing can't be quantified.
Charlie

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by Sam Buchanan

I'm not taking sides on the alternator discussion and the referenced thread was informative. However, the poll was definitely not scientific and the reader should not regard it as such. The poll might be useful as a single datapoint, but not as a definitive comparison of reliability.

What poll is "scientific". All of the "scientific" Presidential election polls unanimously showed that Clinton was ahead right up to the actual election.

In the case of the alternator poll there were responses from 87 auto alternator users, 110 Plane Power users and 83 B&C users. That's a pretty good base. And reading through the actual posts it is quite clear that the comments strongly reinforced the poll results.

Some VansAirforce polls are dodgy to say the least because they simply ask the wrong questions. But I personally believe that the alternator poll (and comments) really throws a lot of light on the reliability of the various options.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by rv7charlie

+1 to Sam's comment. With auto alts, pedigree & installer's skills at adapting/installing can't be quantified.
Charlie

It's true that the pedigree of many auto alternators cannot be quantified...but surely that's part of the reliability problem.

As for possible dodgy installation skills....well that applies to the installation of all alternators, not just auto alternators.

[jthocker]

I don't believe the poll asked wether the alternator was routinely turned on after starting and turned off before shutdown. This procedure was discussed years ago and was the way I used to operate the alternator. Mine failed prematurely at about 200 hours. It was an automotive one that Vans used to sell. I replac d it with a Plane Power and operated it by ganging the alt field with the master. 1500 hrs of trouble free operation and the same with everyone in Cincinnati with Plane Powers, and we all operate them by "ganging" the field with the master switch.

I don't put my faith in polls!

[rv7charlie]

Many auto alts could well be used, salvage yard pulls, etc, and/or improperly installed.

Purpose-built kits like the B&C have a higher probability of correct installation, due to clearly defined processes & pre-built 'pieces-parts'. Much like kit a/c having higher probability of completion that scratch-builts.