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01-12-2012, 09:41 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
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OK, the answer (or so it appears). My digital voltmeter seems to be not working, thus the funky reading on the battery voltage. A second (analog) meter gave me about 12.5 volts on the battery today (as opposed to 13.5-13.8 on the digital one), which is closer to being in line with the Dynon reading.
Second, and original, part of the problem was the dropping voltage and discharging of the battery in flight. Turns out that the alternator field fuse was blown, and after replacing it I am getting the alternator charging the battery again. So obviously it was not a direct short circuit. The mystery to me is why this blew after 450 hours of service. Apparently Continental engines have this occur not uncommonly, and replacing the fuse/resetting the breaker is SOP for those engines.
Chalk up another "experimental airplane learning experience" for me.
Cheers,
greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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01-12-2012, 10:16 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Corvallis Oregon
Posts: 3,547
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Cool!
Well that was easy...
Frank
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01-13-2012, 07:35 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 778
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Glad to hear it was cheap fix. The fuse blowing seems kind of odd though; have you rechecked the field wire and its connections? What kind of alternator?
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Alan Carroll
RV-8 N12AC
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01-13-2012, 07:56 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
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Alan,
Yes, I checked the field wire and connections including a resistance check. Everything looks good as far as I can see. I will be flying it this weekend and looking to see if it happens again. Plane Power alternator.
Greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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01-13-2012, 08:03 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Posts: 778
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You might want to keep an eye on the voltage. According to Plane Power's instruction sheet it has built-in crowbar protection. This works by tripping the 5a circuit breaker (or fuse in your case) if over-voltage is detected. Could be you had a momentary over-voltage event?
__________________
Alan Carroll
RV-8 N12AC
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01-13-2012, 10:59 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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Input (and offer of assitance at the aeropuerto) deleted by poster...didn't read page two of the posts, with the fix (duh!) Glad you got er dun Greg!
Cheers,
Bob
Last edited by rvmills : 01-13-2012 at 11:20 AM.
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01-13-2012, 12:57 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Delta, CO/Atlin, BC
Posts: 2,391
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Agreed Alan. I will be keeping a close eye on things for the next couple flights. Not sure what would have caused a voltage spike, though (hoping the alternator is not failing in some manner....)
Greg
__________________
Greg Arehart
RV-9B (Big tires) Tipup @AJZ or CYSQ
N 7965A
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01-13-2012, 07:06 PM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ft Laudedale FL
Posts: 180
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Brushes wear fast
at altitude and in our engines with higher vibration. I installed a new 70 amp Nippondenso alternator a few years ago. After about 500 hours the brushes are worn to the replacement point and it started to vary the voltage more. Now I plan to replace the brushes every other year. It is easy.
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01-13-2012, 08:32 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Dallas/Ft Worth, TX
Posts: 5,686
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The PP field can easily draw 4 amps, you may consider a 7.5 amp fuse to eliminate nuisance fuse blowing (or circuit breaker popping).
__________________
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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