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B & C ALTERNATOR

R

RV-4

Well Known Member
Hello All

Once again today my Plane Power alternator decided to take the day OFF with the voltage regulator calling it quit for the second time in a year.

So as such I decided to look at the alternatives and came up with this model from B & C which like the plane power has an internally regulated voltage regulator,

bandc.com

SF601 SilverFlite Alternator, 60 Amps (Homebuilt) - B&C Specialty Products

Straightforward installation meets ample output to make the SilverFlite SF601 a tremendous value. Rated at 60A output @ cruise RPM, the SF601 features built-in regulation and our exclusive Dynamic Over-Voltage Protection, combined in a space-saving, lightweight frame. As with every belt-drive...
bandc.com bandc.com

After talking with TJ at B & C who told that this alternator has been available for about a year I've been wondering if there are some here who have bought it and what are your feedback / problems if any with it.

If I decide to go this route ( Mostly for the price ) am I setting myself up with the same kind of problems I'm having with the Plane Power or is the B & C better than my current one.

Your feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks

Bruno

P,S: My other choice is this one : https://bandc.com/product/lx60-alternator-60-amps-homebuilt/#alternator
 
RV-4 said:
Hello All

Once again today my Plane Power alternator decided to take the day OFF with the voltage regulator calling it quit for the second time in a year.

So as such I decided to look at the alternatives and came up with this model from B & C which like the plane power has an internally regulated voltage regulator,

bandc.com

SF601 SilverFlite Alternator, 60 Amps (Homebuilt) - B&C Specialty Products

Straightforward installation meets ample output to make the SilverFlite SF601 a tremendous value. Rated at 60A output @ cruise RPM, the SF601 features built-in regulation and our exclusive Dynamic Over-Voltage Protection, combined in a space-saving, lightweight frame. As with every belt-drive...
bandc.com bandc.com

After talking with TJ at B & C who told that this alternator has been available for about a year I've been wondering if there are some here who have bought it and what are your feedback / problems if any with it.

If I decide to go this route ( Mostly for the price ) am I setting myself up with the same kind of problems I'm having with the Plane Power or is the B & C better than my current one.

Your feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks

Bruno

P,S: My other choice is this one : https://bandc.com/product/lx60-alternator-60-amps-homebuilt/#alternator
Click to expand...
Take a look at the L40, slightly smaller size and I’m guessing all the amp output you need. Also a very reliable alternator. The internally regulated one has not been out that long so doubt if anyone has a good PIREP on it yet. Also look at the MonkWorks generator. Many are using this as the primary alternator. Lots of amp output for the size and weight.
 
I’m also interested in this one - I had always planned the LX60 - the price has gone up another $100.

This makes the silverflite literally half the price.

Can anyone speak to what the cons would be compared to the externally regulated LX60 / LR3D? (Apart from the lx60 being proven etc)

I will plan my wiring either way - the wiring is essentially the same. The ‘field wire’ would just run direct to the alternator instead of to the regulator.
 
I did the same thing when my plane power died. I went with the B & C external regulator. It’s been perfect for the past year and a half.
 
RV-4 said:
Hello All

Once again today my Plane Power alternator decided to take the day OFF with the voltage regulator calling it quit for the second time in a year.

So as such I decided to look at the alternatives and came up with this model from B & C which like the plane power has an internally regulated voltage regulator,

bandc.com

SF601 SilverFlite Alternator, 60 Amps (Homebuilt) - B&C Specialty Products

Straightforward installation meets ample output to make the SilverFlite SF601 a tremendous value. Rated at 60A output @ cruise RPM, the SF601 features built-in regulation and our exclusive Dynamic Over-Voltage Protection, combined in a space-saving, lightweight frame. As with every belt-drive...
bandc.com bandc.com

After talking with TJ at B & C who told that this alternator has been available for about a year I've been wondering if there are some here who have bought it and what are your feedback / problems if any with it.

If I decide to go this route ( Mostly for the price ) am I setting myself up with the same kind of problems I'm having with the Plane Power or is the B & C better than my current one.

Your feedback will be appreciated.

Thanks

Bruno

P,S: My other choice is this one : https://bandc.com/product/lx60-alternator-60-amps-homebuilt/#alternator
Click to expand...

Unless you determine and resolve the root cause(s) of the failure, there's no reason to expect a different outcome from a new alternator.

The B&C silver flight is the same kit as the ND 101211-2950/2951 available from OEG, Walmart, Amazon, others --- for about $90.
 
bjdecker said:
Unless you determine and resolve the root cause(s) of the failure, there's no reason to expect a different outcome from a new alternator.

The B&C silver flight is the same kit as the ND 101211-2950/2951 available from OEG, Walmart, Amazon, others --- for about $90.
Click to expand...
Do those ND units have built in over-voltage protection like the B&C Silverflite?
 
bjdecker said:
Unless you determine and resolve the root cause(s) of the failure, there's no reason to expect a different outcome from a new alternator.
Click to expand...
Exactly my thinking - perhaps you should look at the alignment of the pulleys, or perhaps temperature/airflow around the alternator?
 
rv8ch said:
Exactly my thinking - perhaps you should look at the alignment of the pulleys, or perhaps temperature/airflow around the alternator?
Click to expand...
Whys that BJ Rv8…. If the unit is inferior and quits working after many hours, several times ( in OP ) why suspect it’s an installation issue ? Plus this product has a poor history. Looking to learn. Thanks
 
BH1166 said:
Whys that BJ Rv8…. If the unit is inferior and quits working after many hours, several times ( in OP ) why suspect it’s an installation issue ? Plus this product has a poor history. Looking to learn. Thanks
Click to expand...
@BH1166 - Butch, you are right, the PP alternator does seem to have a poor service life in a lot of installations, but some report decent service life. I don't know if the devices themselves are just built inconsistently, or if it's the installation that's different. Two failures in a short time period might point to installation issues. Like you, I'm here to learn, and perhaps there are some things that can be done to make them last longer. I've got over 400 hours on my PP, but I installed a larger pulley to slow it down a bit, carefully aligned the pulleys, and don't run the belt very tight. I didn't install a blast tube, but my engine runs pretty cool. My PP alternator could give up on the next flight, or last 100s more hours - no idea.
 
bjdecker said:
Unless you determine and resolve the root cause(s) of the failure, there's no reason to expect a different outcome from a new alternator.

The B&C silver flight is the same kit as the ND 101211-2950/2951 available from OEG, Walmart, Amazon, others --- for about $90.
Click to expand...
Is the OV protection on these units for Amazon, Walmart? Thanks.
 
BH1166 said:
Whys that BJ Rv8…. If the unit is inferior and quits working after many hours, several times ( in OP ) why suspect it’s an installation issue ? Plus this product has a poor history. Looking to learn. Thanks
Click to expand...
...Then read these threads...

Thoughts on the Plane Power AL12-EI60

I've been doing a lot of work (testing/experimenting, goofing off) with various alternators of late, and I thought I would share some observations about the ubiquitous Plane Power alternator; Ubiquitous insomuch as it's the alternator that comes with the FWF kit from Van's (ES ALTERNATOR...
vansairforce.net

Thoughts on the B&C LX60 Alternator

The fun continues. After tearing apart the Plane Power AL12-EI60 and ND -2130 I thought I would turn my attention to the B&C LX60 Alternator. Here's a picture -- hello gorgeous, what secrets lay within, I wonder? The B&C appears to be a clone of the ND 101211-2950, 101211-2960 (DAN2017...
vansairforce.net

Death of an alternator...

Happy Sunday VAF friends! I thought I would share the results of a recent autopsy of a Plane Power AL12-EI60 (99-1012) alternator; serial number H-R091### generation. The cavity has a large channel cut into the sides (~.3mm). The wave washer was spinning also, which wore a similar grove...
vansairforce.net
 
bjdecker said:
Unless you determine and resolve the root cause(s) of the failure, there's no reason to expect a different outcome from a new alternator.

The B&C silver flight is the same kit as the ND 101211-2950/2951 available from OEG, Walmart, Amazon, others --- for about $90.
Click to expand...
Have you opened both type and look inside of them or do you have a source that has done a comparison of both types and concluded they are the same? I will be very interested to read that report as I am considering one.
 
Bavafa said:
Have you opened both type and look inside of them or do you have a source that has done a comparison of both types and concluded they are the same? I will be very interested to read that report as I am considering one.
Click to expand...
See threads in the earlier reply....
 
Carl Froehlich said:
Perhaps you can use it for field only. The diagram implies it is for charger output, not field.
View attachment 94609
Click to expand...

...Perhaps...

OooOooOoo --- This one will also manage charging a battery; Well we don't need that...

So let's try this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R8C9JW9?psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ct_3F05XT6WTJA3GWJERMTF
or any of the 100's of others out there. Including the no-longer-available Perihelion LOVM.

Key point --
You can source *ANY* ND IR knock off alternator, modify the brush/field supply (or not), add one of these modules to turn off the Alternator Field "load" in the case of an overvoltage condition, and then keep the > $600+ for gas/beer/food...
 
Hello All

First, thank you for all the useful replies, it's appreciated.

Second, Some mentionned installation problems but I wanna make it clear that my PP alternator has been installed for a few years and never caused any problems until last year when the regulator went the way of the DODO birds...

I thought about replacing the regulator at that point with one from the autoparts store but thought since it didn't come with their ''Crowbar'' protection I was better of with a new ''aviation'' model with the crowbar from AC Spruce fro $200 + vs $22 from the Autoparts store well that didn't last too long didn't it..( like 4 months) So I've got one on order from Amazon and will give this a try and see how it goes..

''
The internally regulated B & C one has not been out that long so doubt if anyone has a good PIREP on it yet. ( That was the reason with this post trying to get PIREPS on it )

A friend has a L-40 in his RV-3 and it does the the job but for $200 more the LX-60 will take care of any future upgrade if required..

So hopping that cheapo regulator from Amazon will allow me to finish the season and I will order a new alternator ( most likely a LX-60 ) while in Florida
next winter . ( Cheaper and less hassle to buy and ship in the US )

Again Gentlemen, thank you for your feedbacks,

Cheers

Bruno
 
RV-4 said:
Hello All

First, thank you for all the useful replies, it's appreciated.

Second, Some mentionned installation problems but I wanna make it clear that my PP alternator has been installed for a few years and never caused any problems until last year when the regulator went the way of the DODO birds...

I thought about replacing the regulator at that point with one from the autoparts store but thought since it didn't come with their ''Crowbar'' protection I was better of with a new ''aviation'' model with the crowbar from AC Spruce fro $200 + vs $22 from the Autoparts store well that didn't last too long didn't it..( like 4 months) So I've got one on order from Amazon and will give this a try and see how it goes..

''
The internally regulated B & C one has not been out that long so doubt if anyone has a good PIREP on it yet. ( That was the reason with this post trying to get PIREPS on it )

A friend has a L-40 in his RV-3 and it does the the job but for $200 more the LX-60 will take care of any future upgrade if required..

So hopping that cheapo regulator from Amazon will allow me to finish the season and I will order a new alternator ( most likely a LX-60 ) while in Florida
next winter . ( Cheaper and less hassle to buy and ship in the US )

Again Gentlemen, thank you for your feedbacks,

Cheers

Bruno
Click to expand...
What did you do to identify the regulator as the failed component?
 
bjdecker said:
What did you do to identify the regulator as the failed component?
Click to expand...
------------------------------------------------
Simply replace the regulator with one from the autoparts store, did a run up and everything was back to normal ..easy enough..

Tomorrow I will retrace all the wiring and look for obvious sign of rubbing or anything else suspicious that may have cause the regulator to go TU

Will update this post if I find something worthwhile..

Bruno
 
RV-4 said:
------------------------------------------------
Simply replace the regulator with one from the autoparts store, did a run up and everything was back to normal ..easy enough..

Tomorrow I will retrace all the wiring and look for obvious sign of rubbing or anything else suspicious that may have cause the regulator to go TU

Will update this post if I find something worthwhile..

Bruno
Click to expand...
3-pin "oval" plug? If so, it's likely that the sense wire broke. Typical auto part store regulator doesn't use the sense pin (it's a W, C, or D configuration) so it worked. This means the PP regulator is fine; update the 3 pin connector-- see https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/1704

Cheers!

B
 
bjdecker said:
3-pin "oval" plug? If so, it's likely that the sense wire broke. Typical auto part store regulator doesn't use the sense pin (it's a W, C, or D configuration) so it worked. This means the PP regulator is fine; update the 3 pin connector-- see https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/1704

Cheers!

B
Click to expand...
I know massive thread drift but if anyone needs hard to find automotive connectors or almost anything automotive related/electrical or fuel systems Ballenger (see link above) is the place to go. They are 10 mins. outside Richmond Va, amazing place to visit and great customer service.
 
bjdecker said:
3-pin "oval" plug? If so, it's likely that the sense wire broke. Typical auto part store regulator doesn't use the sense pin (it's a W, C, or D configuration) so it worked. This means the PP regulator is fine; update the 3 pin connector-- see https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/products_id/1704

Cheers!

B
Click to expand...
Hi Brian

I didn't see any broken wire when I looked at it but that is why I wrote that I will be tracing all the wiring tomorrow just in case like you said that there might be a broken or shorten wire somewhere in the system.

I will be very happy it is this simple of a fix...fingers crossed..

Thanks

Bruno
 
Hi Brian

I re-check every wire connection yesterday as per the wiring diagram and everything worked as advertised.

I've got a new regulator on the way ( graciously from Plane Power out of warranty ) and I also bought a new B & C LX-60 which should be here on Monday via Fedex..

Once I get the B & C install, I'll will replace the regulator of the Plane Power and take it to an alternator shop to be completly look over so that is top shape once done.

Thanks again everyone for all your knowledge, it is appreciated.

Bruno
 
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