BATT AMPS annunciation on RV12is with Ducati VRs
Helping a friend isolate the following scenario:
After reaching 2500 RPM following engine start, the bus voltage is indicating 13.5 volts, but the alternator amps is only showing 4-5 amps with all the avionics turned on (another 12iS aircraft was tested, and shows 14 amps at this same stage). Intermittently during normal cruise flight (with flaps up, autopilot and landing light off), the BATT AMPS annunciation comes on the PFD and agrees with the battery discharge reaching the -3 amps warning level. At which time, the alternator amps seem to slowly creep up to around 7 amps, and eventually the BATT AMPS return to zero and the message goes out. However, when the landing lights are turned on, and the radio is keyed to load up the system, the charging amps never reach a level to adequately charge the battery, and the BATT AMPs condition remains until unloading the system.
Certainly the alternator should be able to keep up with entire system load. In reference to the OP regarding the FTS recommendations to keep the system loaded as to avoid overheating the VRs, it sounds like my above-described condition may be due to a damaged VR (the aircraft has only 35 hours on it, was built/first-operated in Tuscon, and has never utilized the procedure to load up the system after engine start). Have others experienced this issue describe in paragraph above? If so, what was your findings/corrections?
Also, how many other RV12iS operators are using the loading technique to keep the VRs cool?
Thank you in advance for any insight and/or feedback.