LucasC Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 Going to have the generator changed out soon on my M20C. Was wondering if the prop has to come off or not? If not mechanic can do it in my hanger if it does have to come off he wants it to go to his shop. Thanks in advance. Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skates97 Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 When mine was replaced they did not pull the prop. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moodychief Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 The prop only needs to come off if the belt needs replaced. If belt is in good condition, you will need to take the lower cowl off for easy access and safety wiring after install. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasC Posted August 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hank Posted August 25, 2019 Report Share Posted August 25, 2019 You may want to take this opportunity to upgrade to an alternator instead . . . . PO did mine, not sure how complex it is. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesm Posted August 26, 2019 Report Share Posted August 26, 2019 I have taken generator off a number of times you should not have to remove the prop. Unless you are planning on replacing the belt if so you may consider switching to an alternator. You might want to check with the A&P first some are particular on how things come apart and go back together. James '67C 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted August 26, 2019 Report Share Posted August 26, 2019 +1 Generator is a kinda easy job... for my old M20C... Got a low cost OH’d one from AS... 0.2AMU? Requires lowering the lower cowl and a few other things that get in the way.... Make sure the air cooling hose to the front gets connected... good time to replace the hose too... My sticks and stones and springs VR melted the lead out of the first generator... So got a new Zeftronics device for that. Going with a new alternator is great if the Finance administrator approves the additional funds... Best regards, -a- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
47U Posted August 26, 2019 Report Share Posted August 26, 2019 Check the three tabs on the mount bracket which the case bolts go through. The aft tab was broken on my ‘63 C. Dan at LASAR had a replacement and it was beefed up. I probably wouldn’t have see the broken tab except I was replacing the prop oil line and the aft bolt had a clamp on it. Good luck! Tom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted August 27, 2019 Report Share Posted August 27, 2019 Great pic, Tom! Thanks for sharing that detail. Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucasC Posted September 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 I had the generator swapped out yesterday and man what a difference. Actually coming online around 800RPMs now. Was around 1700RPM before it failed totally. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted September 4, 2019 Report Share Posted September 4, 2019 Great follow-up, Lucas. Best regards, -a- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0TreeLemur Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 On 9/3/2019 at 9:31 PM, LucasC said: I had the generator swapped out yesterday and man what a difference. Actually coming online around 800RPMs now. Was around 1700RPM before it failed totally. Did you install a refurbed generator or did you convert to an alternator? The generator on my C doesn't really seem to contribute many electrons until about 1700 rpms too. -Thx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browncbr1 Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 This reminds me,, I have a serviceable as removed generator on my shelf if anyone needs it. Free to any cheap bastards out there, as long as I don’t have to ship it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry 5TJ Posted September 11, 2019 Report Share Posted September 11, 2019 Seems like only yesterday.... M20C Generator Service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
0TreeLemur Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 3 hours ago, Jerry 5TJ said: Seems like only yesterday.... M20C Generator Service time travel. backward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadrach Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 7 hours ago, 0TreeLemur said: Did you install a refurbed generator or did you convert to an alternator? The generator on my C doesn't really seem to contribute many electrons until about 1700 rpms too. -Thx. A good generator with a modern voltage regulator will be online aroung 1100rpm. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinneMooney Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Related question. On my 65C there is a sizable open space between the alternator and the starter. Should there be some baffle material there to restrict the flow of air into the space below the engine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy95W Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Hi, Kim. This is Andy from Chapter 237. Yes, absolutely, there should be something there to seal that area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MinneMooney Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 I thought so. Doing owner assisted annual next month so I will add that to the todo list. Thanks Andy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59Moonster Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Some of these planes have had the generator for half a century or more. What is the benefit of upgrading to an alternator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 Rinj, See if this makes sense... Similar to other technology improvements over the years... They won’t make sense for everyone. But.... If you like to fly IFR, and depart into a low ceiling, and have your battery charging before you depart... The alternator is a touch better for the job, even though the plane could have a 50year old generator in it. alternators start to charge slightly above idle rpm. Generators start to charge at about 1700 rpm... the plane will be draining the battery from start-up until you reach enough rpm to charge... PP thoughts only, my 65C’s Generator got a nice zeftronics voltage regulator to improve things, but it still was connected to a generator... Best regards, -a- 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
59Moonster Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 9 minutes ago, carusoam said: alternators start to charge slightly above idle rpm. Generators start to charge at about 1700 rpm... the plane will be draining the battery from start-up until you reach enough rpm to charge... Wasn't aware of that. Thanks. Anybody know if there is an alternator for M20A? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriscalandro Posted September 12, 2019 Report Share Posted September 12, 2019 If you battery is low, it’s night, and you have a generator, you can either use the landing light or talk on the radio. Not both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carusoam Posted September 13, 2019 Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 Expect plane power has an alternator for the O360... You will want to check with them if it has been STCd for the M20A... I can’t think of any reasons it can’t be... The alternators go in the same space as the generator and are much smaller... The corresponding VR will occupy the same space as the generator’s sticks and stones and springs VR... Unfortunately, when I looked this up moments ago... I only found this... https://planepower.aero/aircraft-alternator-support/application-information/?ma=Mooney International Corporation&mo=M20A About the alternator operations.... they do produce power down at low rpms... but, it is pretty low and climbs with rpms until it produces max power... still much better than the generator. Just a new set of limitations... At idle, my generator will show a discharge with everything in the panel running... at 1000rpm there is plenty of power to run everything... Some Logic is required... to not drag the brakes, or speed down the taxiway... but at least you know things are working before departure... PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... definitely check with planepower and your mechanic to see how this can be done for your M20A... See if the other M20A owners have a solution.... Best regards, -a- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy95W Posted September 13, 2019 Report Share Posted September 13, 2019 7 hours ago, Rinj said: Wasn't aware of that. Thanks. Anybody know if there is an alternator for M20A? 4 hours ago, chriscalandro said: If you battery is low, it’s night, and you have a generator, you can either use the landing light or talk on the radio. Not both. I don't think I would be so quick to swap out a generator, and I don't really agree with Chris (unless you base your airplane at Teterboro). Yes, you may have to turn off some unused avionics, and you definitely want to get an LED landing light. Maybe consider LED navigation lights if you fly a lot at night at big controlled airports. But those old generators are hell-for-stout and really just need brushes every once in a while. Also stone-ass simple and the way the airplane was designed. I know of a Mooney owner with generator who just flew to Oshkosh. He was a little concerned about long taxi times waiting to park/waiting to take off and not generating any appreciable electricity. Bottom line- it was not a problem. He had been thinking about an alternator conversion but no longer is. PlanePower makes an alternator conversion for the M20A for $859, but it's not an easy conversion, particularly in regards to baffling. And after Hartzell acquired them, quality has gone down and customer complaints up. I'd keep your generator (unless you're based out of Teterboro, like I said.) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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