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Alternator
- Frank Hamelly
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08 Aug 2025 19:24 #1
by Frank Hamelly
Replied by Frank Hamelly on topic Alternator
Cycling the switch worked on a couple occasions. Did not work at all on the last flight. I will start it early in the morning next week as I start opening it up for annual to see if the temperature has anything to do with it. I am cautiously optimistic that it isn’t the alternator itself as when it works, it works well. So that hopefully leaves the switch, wiring, and voltage regulator. Thanks for your input.
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- Brooks McNew
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30 Jul 2025 17:28 - 30 Jul 2025 17:33 #2
by Brooks McNew
Replied by Brooks McNew on topic Alternator
Depending on the installation, you could also be experiencing either:
1. An over-voltage "crowbar" where the alternator output is stopped due to an over-voltage event. The crowbar unit may be reset by cycling the switch.
2. With all this hot weather, a voltage regulator overheating event can act the same way.
If it were happening to me, I'd attach a small thermocouple to the voltage regulator and monitor it's operating temperature. Pretty cheap and easy, and shouldn't require taking anything apart to at least verify or eliminate a regulator temp issue.
1. An over-voltage "crowbar" where the alternator output is stopped due to an over-voltage event. The crowbar unit may be reset by cycling the switch.
2. With all this hot weather, a voltage regulator overheating event can act the same way.
If it were happening to me, I'd attach a small thermocouple to the voltage regulator and monitor it's operating temperature. Pretty cheap and easy, and shouldn't require taking anything apart to at least verify or eliminate a regulator temp issue.
Last edit: 30 Jul 2025 17:33 by Brooks McNew.
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- Larry Snyder
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20 Jul 2025 10:41 #3
by Larry Snyder
Replied by Larry Snyder on topic Alternator
Not sure what your alternator switch does. I have 2 switches - a 30 amp output breaker and a 5 amp field breaker/switch. On hot days if I let the engine rpm get too low right after startup the field breaker trips. Once the battery is charged it doesn’t do it.
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- Frank Hamelly
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20 Jul 2025 09:33 #4
by Frank Hamelly
Alternator was created by Frank Hamelly
Hi. I have noticed on two different occasions that I have lost my charging from my alternator. Cycling the alternator switch seems to bring it back. Could the switch be worn/weak? This is a 1960 Forney with 0-200 and alternator conversion. Thanks in advance. Mike
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