Annual Electrical Wiring Alternator & Spark Plugs

[bgpilot1]

Just finished my 2nd annual with my 1967 M20F.  Couple of thoughts for vintage mooney owners.

I converted my generator to a Plane Power Alternator.  Extremely happy with the results.  The kit comes with a 70 amp pop out breaker and I have an additional pull out alternate bus bar breaker rated at 50 amps.  I searched long and hard for a 70 amp pull out breaker.  Mooney has one which I ordered through Laser but ended up not installing.  The 70 amp is much bigger.  So far I've flown 25 hours and have had no issues with the 50 amp.  Don't think all my electronics will ever pull that much.  I got a lot of opinions and so far the 50 amp is sufficient.  The constant output of the alternator is just great. 

Very happy with the Champion Fine Wire sparks plugs.  I had them on the bottom last year which eliminated engine fouling which seemed to occur frequently even when leaning on the ground.  Replaced the top plugs this annual.  The plane starts like a champ. 

Probably related to all this is the fact that the wiring, probably original, was replaced from the alternator to the buss bar to the breakers.  The old wires which had a thick gauge the size of your cable tv wires and were frayed.  I'll post pictures.  The buss bar breaker showed significant wear.  I had electrical deamons and went through 3 mechanical regulators and switched to the solid state but still had intermittent problems.  Highly recommend checking the wiring if you have a vintage mooney.

My nulites would not dim.  Ordered a new rheostat from Laser.  Solved the problem.  Don't think you need 1 regular light to pull at least 1 amp for the nulights to dim which is what I had read. 

Installed the JPI EDM 830.  Great functionality but it does not have the same angle viewing clarity if installed vertically vs horizontally.  Called JPI.  They confirmed.  This is not in their literature, of course.  Their customer service is ok.  Long wait times on the phone 50% of the time.  They sent the wrong RPM sensor and replaced but it took some time.  My fuel pressure is not displaying properly so still troubleshooting.  Since it is not primary for anything, have the backups.  Setup is painful since there are only 2 buttons and you have to cycle through the entire interface to program.  Of course, once everything is setup you are ok.  You will need to order several additional fittings and hoses to install.  Will try LOP this week and report.

For some unknown reason my ground wire from the battery to the airframe was grounded at that cross section bar behind the batter but the rest of the plane was not showing a good ground.  Very odd since the piece is rivoted to the airplane.  Don't know if the process of painting and all the particulates that got everywhere had anything to do with this.  Ran new ground wire to second shelf behind the battery and everything shows a ground. 

Original rotating beacon would rotate but not light up.  Just replaced with strobe. Have fun climbing into the tail section to hold the nuts secure. 

Replaced master relay which was corroded.  Also replaced master switch which had 2 loose screws.  Did I mention electrical deamons?  Two more items to check.

Replaced door seal with the one that attaches to the airframe rather than the door.  Great for soundproofing but the thing tears easily.  The one that attaches to the door was not available. 

Replaced mechanical tach with Mitchell.  Its ok.  TGH Aviation recommended one from Superior Labs.  I would go that route if it was my only primary.  Since I have the EDM 830 I can view the RPM from the mags so its no big deal but the quality of the Mitchell is probably not as good - that is why TGH switched so they told me.

So I finally feel comfortable flying long distances which is why we own Mooneys.  Learned a lot through the owner assisted annaul.  Hope this info helps the next guy or gal.  

Barry

 

[MARZ]

Quote: bgpilot1

Original rotating beacon would rotate but not light up.  Just replaced with strobe. Have fun climbing into the tail section to hold the nuts secure. 

 

 

Yepper - they are fun - my solution..  a 9 year old son, a blanket to pad his knees, and an ice cream and co pilot ride.

My son and I have a blast just hangning at the airport - flying or not.