So I made a short 15 minute flight earlier this week repositioning following a transponder check. Upon landing, I noted that the voltage indicator was showing just at 12V (analog indication, so nothing too precise). I finished taxing and watched the Voltage indicator and noted some fluctuation between just under 12V to around 13V. Increasing the engine RPM resulted in the higher indications (which I am not sure I understand because it's an alternator, not a generator...)
I already had an ammeter that I was wanting to install so I took some time to wire it in today. I was planning to use the ammeter to help me troubleshoot the alternator and I temporarily placed the sensor prior to the main CB that then leads over to the main bus.
I started the engine noted the battery voltage was 12.6-12.7, turned on the alt switch, and watched the voltage "increase" to 12.9. I saw no reading on the ammeter...
I would have thought that I'd have seen at least something on the ammeter, I verified the resolution of 0.3A on a bench before putting it in the plane....
There were three large gauge wires coming through the firewall. One goes to the battery (largest), one goes to the "Main" CB (medium), one goes to the main bus (smallest of the three). I expect that the largest goes to the starter, the next is from the alternator, and the third is___ (I plan to trace this tomorrow)...
Questions:
I am wanting to mount the hall effect sensor aft of the firewall, shouldnt the line leading to the main CB have been the B line from the alternator?
Any suggestions on what to look for while double checking the alternator? (I am guessing this is a loose wire somewhere as the issue appeared intermittent.) The analog voltage sensor has displayed just over 13V when in use as long as I've owned the plane. I confirm the voltage jumps up when I turn on the ALT switch during preflight.
I already had an ammeter that I was wanting to install so I took some time to wire it in today. I was planning to use the ammeter to help me troubleshoot the alternator and I temporarily placed the sensor prior to the main CB that then leads over to the main bus.
I started the engine noted the battery voltage was 12.6-12.7, turned on the alt switch, and watched the voltage "increase" to 12.9. I saw no reading on the ammeter...
I would have thought that I'd have seen at least something on the ammeter, I verified the resolution of 0.3A on a bench before putting it in the plane....
There were three large gauge wires coming through the firewall. One goes to the battery (largest), one goes to the "Main" CB (medium), one goes to the main bus (smallest of the three). I expect that the largest goes to the starter, the next is from the alternator, and the third is___ (I plan to trace this tomorrow)...
Questions:
I am wanting to mount the hall effect sensor aft of the firewall, shouldnt the line leading to the main CB have been the B line from the alternator?
Any suggestions on what to look for while double checking the alternator? (I am guessing this is a loose wire somewhere as the issue appeared intermittent.) The analog voltage sensor has displayed just over 13V when in use as long as I've owned the plane. I confirm the voltage jumps up when I turn on the ALT switch during preflight.