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  #11  
Old 01-25-2018, 08:52 PM
alpinelakespilot2000 alpinelakespilot2000 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Plummit View Post
I called Allen back and hes says no dice, it's out of warranty. Fair enough, I ask him how much to overhaul it. They don't do that, The fix is to buy a new unit. Spruce is out of stock but A.E.R.O. will sell me one for $531.54. A few credit card numbers later and it's on the way. It's been an interesting morning.
-Marc
Yeah, that's what I and many others have found... apparently the result of PlanePower being sold to Hartzell Technologies a few years ago. When I got that response it added them to my “never again” list. Beyond that, a ridiculously high 26% failure rate in the first 250 hours also steered me away from PP. According to the poll referenced above, B&C only has a 2% failure rate, and automotive alternators only a 20% failure rate, in the same number of hours. Since the latter only cost me $28, that's the way I went. All my electrical gremlins went away when I ditched the PP for an ND and I've been happy ever since! Though I don’t need to, I could preemptively replace mine every year for 20 years and it would still be cheaper!
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Last edited by alpinelakespilot2000 : 01-25-2018 at 09:09 PM.
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  #12  
Old 01-25-2018, 09:04 PM
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Jesse Jesse is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
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Originally Posted by Plummit View Post
So I called Plane Power and spoke with a guy named Allen about the CB tripping when I turn stuff off. Allen thinks that there may indeed be a voltage spike when I shed load. He recommended that I try a slo-blow CB.

I called Stein and tried to order one and he doesn't carry such a thing. Moreover, he thinks that would probably be masking the real problem. He suggested I go back to Plane Power and try to get them to repair the alternator.

I called Allen back and hes says no dice, it's out of warranty. Fair enough, I ask him how much to overhaul it. They don't do that, The fix is to buy a new unit. Spruce is out of stock but A.E.R.O. will sell me one for $531.54. A few credit card numbers later and it's on the way. It's been an interesting morning.

-Marc
That is the biggest frustration with PlanePower. Their alternators are simple, but the fact that a repair is to replace the unit is just ridiculous! That?s the kind of customer service that could kill a company, and they just flat don?t seem to care. I?m not saying it?s a junky alternator, although some would. I install them as primary all the time (mainly because they come with the firewall forward kit and they are internally regulated, thus easy to install).
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  #13  
Old 01-26-2018, 05:53 AM
6 Gun 6 Gun is offline
 
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If they don't repair why not take it to the auto repair shop ? Or by a new one to fit 1987 Suzuki Samurai for $100 that's the alternator my plane power used.
Bob
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  #14  
Old 01-26-2018, 05:57 AM
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rv6ejguy rv6ejguy is offline
 
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Don't assume any aftermarket or rebuilt alternator is the same quality as the OEM Denso it way resemble. Clearly from the stats we've seen here on VAF, they often aren't.
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  #15  
Old 01-26-2018, 06:56 AM
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Walt Walt is offline
 
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As has been already aluded to, the crowbar would appear to be tripping the breaker when you load shed.

If you are controlling the devices you are turning off with relays, than that may be the problem. A relay without a surpression diode will generate enough of a spike to trip a crowbar circuit. The fix is to add the diode across the relay coil. B&C regulators will trip when non-surpressed relays are de-energized.
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EXP Aircraft Services LLC
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  #16  
Old 01-26-2018, 07:11 AM
rvsxer rvsxer is offline
 
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Location: Inver Grove Hgts, MN
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On my RV-6, carbureted, I turn on my Facet pump for about 5 seconds before cranking the engine. If I have the alternator field turned on when I shut off the pump the field CB will sometimes pop, even a 7.5 amp CB. If I only turn on the battery it never pops. I turn on the alternator prior to cranking the engine. I replaced the first pump when it finally quit and the new one does it, too. Would a diode, as with a master or starter contactor, fix it? For now I just live with it.
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  #17  
Old 01-26-2018, 07:29 AM
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Walt Walt is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvsxer View Post
On my RV-6, carbureted, I turn on my Facet pump for about 5 seconds before cranking the engine. If I have the alternator field turned on when I shut off the pump the field CB will sometimes pop, even a 7.5 amp CB. If I only turn on the battery it never pops. I turn on the alternator prior to cranking the engine. I replaced the first pump when it finally quit and the new one does it, too. Would a diode, as with a master or starter contactor, fix it? For now I just live with it.
Mike,
Not sure on the actual electronics in the cube pumps but it certainly wouldn't hurt to try by putting a diode across it.
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Walt Aronow, DFW, TX (52F)

EXP Aircraft Services LLC
Specializing in RV Condition Inspections, Maintenance, Avionics Upgrades
Dynamic Prop Balancing, Pitot-Static Altmeter/Transponder Certification
FAA Certified Repair Station, AP/IA/FCC GROL, EAA Technical Counselor
Authorized Garmin G3X Dealer/Installer
RV7A built 2004, 1700+ hrs, New Titan IO-370, Bendix Mags
Website: ExpAircraft.com, Email: walt@expaircraft.com, Cell: 972-746-5154
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  #18  
Old 01-26-2018, 08:33 AM
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Plummit Plummit is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walt View Post
As has been already aluded to, the crowbar would appear to be tripping the breaker when you load shed.

If you are controlling the devices you are turning off with relays, than that may be the problem. A relay without a surpression diode will generate enough of a spike to trip a crowbar circuit. The fix is to add the diode across the relay coil. B&C regulators will trip when non-surpressed relays are de-energized.
All devices are controlled by rocker switches. AFAIK the things that usually cause the CB to trip are NOT controlled by relays. Intestingly, Allen wanted me to take the alternator to Autozone or some other auto parts store to be tested. He also said that if i send it back they will test for free. That was what prompted my question about repair, which they don't do. I feel it would be a wasted of shipping $$$ to send it back or even take it to autozone if the fix it so buy a new one. I'm pretty sure the problem lies in the unit. We'll see.

-Marc

-Marc
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  #19  
Old 03-14-2018, 02:19 PM
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Plummit Plummit is offline
 
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I got the prop back on and balanced - All good now. We did the initial flight in VFR conditions, and I'm happy to report that the alternator field CB has not tripped once! I do all of the things that made it trip (when I turned stuff off))
and it appears that the problem is solved now. I'm thinking the alternator may have been bad from the start... I say "alternator" because it has a built in regulator that can't be serviced or replaced separately.

I may get it checked out as it would be nice to have a back-up in the hangar.

-Marc
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  #20  
Old 03-15-2018, 10:03 AM
RV7 To Go RV7 To Go is offline
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
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My 60A PP alternator failed after 2 hrs (runaway tripping the field breaker). I took it to a local alternator repair shop. For $100 they replaced the blown rectifier and regulator. It is still working fine after 100hrs. If it goes again I will replace with the B&C. My backup B&C has had no issues from the start. FWIW.

Al
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