I have previously posted a couple of times about my alternator problems:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=58550
Quick summary is that I have a PlanePower alternator on a Superior IO-360 in my RV-8. After about 15 hours I started having trouble with the field breaker blowing e.g. while doing mag checks, but also more directly related switching like lights or strobes. Only once did the CB blow apparently spontaneously ie with no other switching going on. It was always possible to reset and proceed without further incident. Over time I have changed the CB itself, all the field wiring and the master switch. Like all the best intermittent faults I would think that it was fixed but a couple of hours later it would be back. My most recent change came when I noticed that the field wire was loomed with the fat wire to the starter solenoid over a distance of about 3 inches - I put the field wire on some little standoffs so that the distance was increased to about one inch. Seemed good - every thing was fine for two flights.
Plane is now at 95 hours airborne time. Saturday morning after a flight lasting 1 hour 20 mins I got a flickering low voltage light for about 10 seconds, then solid illumination. Voltage seen on the Dynon at that point was IIRC 12.0 or so. After landing (about 5 minutes later) it was clear that there was no charging i.e. the ammeter readout on the Dynon was -2A with everything off except the master solenoid, rising as one would expect with additional items switched on. Tried master switch fully off then back on, resetting CB with no change in status. Checked belt tension - fine, verified that the field was indeed supplying 12volts (voltmeter plugged into the alternator end of the wire, master switch on, obviously with the engine off.
Left everything a couple of hours so that anything hot could cool off, restarted engine, still no output.
Question: I conclude alternator is dead. Am I right?
Replaced with a Vans alternator, gave battery a quick charge (PC680). Started engine - got an output but LOTS of whine form the new alternator, even with engine off. Amps out fell as the battery continued to charge, but was jumping around a lot.
Question 2: Is it likely that I have damaged the battery? I am told that the PC680 is very tough but the very variable current is not like anything I have seen previously before.
Wiring is basic VFR a la Nuckholls (?sp?).
Any thoughts will be appreciated. Feeling a bit desperate...
Thanks
Chris![Confused :confused: :confused:](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=58550
Quick summary is that I have a PlanePower alternator on a Superior IO-360 in my RV-8. After about 15 hours I started having trouble with the field breaker blowing e.g. while doing mag checks, but also more directly related switching like lights or strobes. Only once did the CB blow apparently spontaneously ie with no other switching going on. It was always possible to reset and proceed without further incident. Over time I have changed the CB itself, all the field wiring and the master switch. Like all the best intermittent faults I would think that it was fixed but a couple of hours later it would be back. My most recent change came when I noticed that the field wire was loomed with the fat wire to the starter solenoid over a distance of about 3 inches - I put the field wire on some little standoffs so that the distance was increased to about one inch. Seemed good - every thing was fine for two flights.
Plane is now at 95 hours airborne time. Saturday morning after a flight lasting 1 hour 20 mins I got a flickering low voltage light for about 10 seconds, then solid illumination. Voltage seen on the Dynon at that point was IIRC 12.0 or so. After landing (about 5 minutes later) it was clear that there was no charging i.e. the ammeter readout on the Dynon was -2A with everything off except the master solenoid, rising as one would expect with additional items switched on. Tried master switch fully off then back on, resetting CB with no change in status. Checked belt tension - fine, verified that the field was indeed supplying 12volts (voltmeter plugged into the alternator end of the wire, master switch on, obviously with the engine off.
Left everything a couple of hours so that anything hot could cool off, restarted engine, still no output.
Question: I conclude alternator is dead. Am I right?
Replaced with a Vans alternator, gave battery a quick charge (PC680). Started engine - got an output but LOTS of whine form the new alternator, even with engine off. Amps out fell as the battery continued to charge, but was jumping around a lot.
Question 2: Is it likely that I have damaged the battery? I am told that the PC680 is very tough but the very variable current is not like anything I have seen previously before.
Wiring is basic VFR a la Nuckholls (?sp?).
Any thoughts will be appreciated. Feeling a bit desperate...
Thanks
Chris