New alternator kit from Vans with OV

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by Build9A

Thanks for the great explanation. I am replacing my Vans ND that I had to have rebuilt after 15 hours of use (Vans credited me the rebuild price) with the new PP now that the price is better. I'm going to keep the Vans ND as a spare, just in case. I have a total of 95 hours on the rebuilt rebuild unit.

Let us know if the swap is "plug and play". I also have the "older" Van's ND alternator, and if it dies, would probably replace it with the newer style - just wondering if it fits in the same bracket, with the same wiring/plug?

Paul

[Frank Smidler]

Plane Power had a booth at OSH last year and had an introductory price of $325 if you signed up for the show special. They did not have it available at the time but expected delievery in the Fall. As is often the case they did not recieve the new alternators when expected. I recieved an email December 27 notifying me that I could still get it at the OSH special price if I placed the order prior to Feb 10, which I did.

I have recieved the alternator and am impressed with the quality. I have not installed it yet so I can not report on installation or performance. I give credit to Plane Power for honering their offer, the freindly person whom I spoke to when ordering and fast delievery.

[BillC]

Just for everyone's info. I just got off the phone with Van's (upgraded my FWF kit to altenator with OV protection) and asked about the rebuilt units that are standard with the FWF kit. Gus says that these units are no longer rebuilt units. They are new units but not of the same "quality" as the New OV units. Perhaps this change had something to do with the inconsistant QA on the rebuilt units.

[13brv3]

Originally Posted by BillC

and asked about the rebuilt units that are standard with the FWF kit. Gus says that these units are no longer rebuilt units. They are new units but not of the same "quality" as the New OV units.

Rats! I read all this thinking my new FWF alt was going to be one of these babies. I just got the box of goodies yesterday, but haven't opened it yet. If it does happen to be one of the new ones, I'll report back, and if I get a trade-in cost from the one in the kit to the new OV unit, I'll report that as well.

Rusty (better open the box)

[kevinh]

Just curious - anyone know off-hand if this is the same belt size as the old 60 amp? If I ever have a problem with my current alt, I'd consider upgrading if I don't need to pull the prop for a belt swap.

Kevin

[Build9A]

Kevin:

I'm starting my annual this weekend and will check out the plug and play possibilities with the new PP alt. I'm hoping to be able to use the existing belt, otherwise.........pull the prop off, which I'd really rather not do. I recently had it balanced. I actually like the looks of the new brackets and may change them whether the Vans brackets and belt works or not. I'll still try to see if the new one would work with the vans bracket and belt. I'll post a messege hopefully saturday afternoon if someone else doesn't report sooner. Jack

[gmcjetpilot]

Talking about PP's alternator's features, special brushes where mentioned.

Apparently high altitude and low humidity can cause rapid brush wear on the
otherwise excellent unit.

I did find (googled) that there are high altitude brushes; Special blends of
materials and "adjuvants" have been developed to perform under these
conditions. Apparently the addition of barium salts to the graphite brush
compound would reduce or eliminate the high altitude brush wear.

Go figure, Learn something new everyday. Moral of the story if you fly at real
high altitudes often check and replace your brushes more often. Who would
of thought lack of humidity would affect carbon brushes.

I think there's one data point, one guy got 700 hours out of his stock
brushes. Unfortunately he discovered it on a trip, when the symptoms of
worn brushes started to show on his voltmeter, with somwhat erratic voltage
until it just quit.

I would check brushes at least every 2-3 years or 350 hours. You may want
to check more often at first to get a handle on how much it wears. Only
about 25% of my flying is above 5k-8k.

I don't know where PP gets their "high altitude" brushes to fit their ND unit,
but that's a cool deal and should slow wear for high flyer's. Good to know.

George

**Apparently low humidity conditions can exist above 5,000 feet, but for
sure above 10,000' is going to pretty dry.

[13brv3]

Just confirmed that my FWF kit alt is NOT the OV protected unit. It's a ND alt which is supposed to be new, and is internally regulated. Since I don't consider OV protection to be that necessary, I'll just use what Van's sent.

Cheers,
Rusty

[Alschief]

I ordered the 60 amp Plane power alternator at OSH and received it in January. I installed on a O 320H2AD engine which required a different mounting bracket.
Plane Power worked with me to make the install seamless.
Not yet flying but it looks very good, I recommend buying direct.

Al Smith
RV 6 Finish
N495AB
KEOS

[Build9A]

Originally Posted by Ironflight

Let us know if the swap is "plug and play". I also have the "older" Van's ND alternator, and if it dies, would probably replace it with the newer style - just wondering if it fits in the same bracket, with the same wiring/plug?

Paul

Paul: Good news is the NEW PP alternator uses the same belt as my 0-320 D1A. So I DON'T have to remove the prop. Not so good news is that the new PP doesn't fit the old brackets. However, it's not bad news, the new brackets are rock solid and easy to install, actually easier, because the main bolt can be inserted with no problem as the bracket is longer and puts the bolt hole below the flywheel. I just installed it and really like it. Not wired yet. It comes with it's own wire plug. Just cut the old one, one wire, one splice...done. I quit to watch a basketball game UF vs UW-MIL. more info to come if you are interested. Jack