Huitt3106 Posted November 26, 2019 Report Posted November 26, 2019 Yesterday we flew to Maryland from Virginia and I had some issues with the voltage level and also had the over voltage light come on and kick off the charge from the alternator (As it was getting dark!). I noticed on departure my Garmin 530 had some static and ATC noticed as well. When we started descending into Maryland the over voltage light came on and I lost charge according to the amp gauge. I looked at the voltage gauge and it was quite erratic (bouncing quickly back and forth between 9 and 15 volts). We ended up landing on battery power. After parking I flipped the master switch off and back on and the amp meter showed charge again. Today we went to the airport to leave and I did a couple run ups to see if the issue would return. Nothing showed up on the ground and we departed. The entire flight I showed charge (albeit low) on the amp gauge and didn’t have the over voltage issue return. The voltage gauge read low which I attributed to landing on battery the night before. It did not show improvement on the charge level after an hour and a half flying. When we neared the bottom of our descent for landing the radio started to get static again and the voltage gauge started jumping rapidly again. When I pulled up to my hangar and shut off the engine the voltage gauge showed 14 volts steadily. I tapped the gauge and it moved around without any real consistency. I haven’t check the ground on the alternator yet but the one accessible on the voltage regulator was secure. Could this be the voltage regulator going bad and if so, what’s a good option for replacement? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1964-M20E Posted November 27, 2019 Report Posted November 27, 2019 check the ground, power and field wires to the alternator before doing anything else. What regulator and alternator do you have on the plane?
Huitt3106 Posted November 27, 2019 Author Report Posted November 27, 2019 According to my logbook it looks like the alternator is an Electrosystems ALY-8520 and the regulator is the same brand with model number VR-415. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yetti Posted November 27, 2019 Report Posted November 27, 2019 Replace all the butt terminals that go to the alternator. Properly secure and route all wires going to the alternator.
carusoam Posted November 27, 2019 Report Posted November 27, 2019 +1 on checking all connections... Sounds like a loose or dirty wire connection controlling the voltage regulator... Usually a broken external wire, is pretty obvious to find... If it gets more challenging... new VRs by Zeftronics are pretty popular around here... How old is the alternator/VR installation... Most Cs were born with generators... Some details regarding part numbers being updated over time for the electro systems/Hartzell products... http://www.kellyaerospace.com/service_pdf/ES018.pdf PP thoughts only, not a mechanic.. Best regards, -a-
Huitt3106 Posted November 27, 2019 Author Report Posted November 27, 2019 Awesome, thanks. Everything was updated in 2012 with the last overhaul to the above mentioned alternator and regulator. When I get back to the airport I’ll check all the connections and wires to see if that’s the cause of the issue. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Guest Posted November 27, 2019 Report Posted November 27, 2019 Loose wires at the alternator or regulator, loose drive belt, broken mounting bracket, worn brushes depending on hours in service, faulty field switch. Clarence
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