Plane Power Alternator bracket

[Flyler]

After its 10 hour flight home, my new (to me) '79 M20J gracefully waited until landing at home to break the field wire right at the alternator.  Upon inspection, it looks like the belt tension adjustment bracket slot has a slight crack in it.  My alternator is an ALY-8420 and while I have it out, I am considering replacing it with another unit.  I had hear of "Plane Power" a few times so looked up a replacement.  The replacement looks good, and most images show that it conveniently comes with a new bracket as well!  So that is a nicety I did not expect.

 

Now I have not been in this airplane business too long, but I do know that niceties such as this are not common... has anyone had exerience with the Plane power kit from ALY-8420 to their AL12-F60 and used the new bracket?

 

[Yetti]

You can buy new brushes for the old alternator.     Aircraft Spruce has them.   Or you can take your Fan boat alternator to the alternator shop and have them OH it.

[Flyler]

44 minutes ago, Yetti said:

You can buy new brushes for the old alternator.     Aircraft Spruce has them.   Or you can take your Fan boat alternator to the alternator shop and have them OH it.

Thank you sir. 

[Ragsf15e]

3 minutes ago, Flyler said:

Thank you sir. 

I did the plane power during a maintenance wild goose chase. Id recommend doing as @Yetti suggested as long as you can find a workable bracket.

[Yetti]

5 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

I did the plane power during a maintenance wild goose chase. Id recommend doing as @Yetti suggested as long as you can find a workable bracket.

welder, mild steel flat bar, plasma cutter.    Or just tack the old one. 

[Flyler]

45 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

I did the plane power during a maintenance wild goose chase. Id recommend doing as @Yetti suggested as long as you can find a workable bracket.

Did you find the Plane Power overhaul unit to be lacking?  I'm just curious about the details.  My current alternator case has some issues, seems like the bearings are probably quite worn, etc.  I believe I'm due for an alternator overhaul anyways.  There's also an issue of timing as right now the plane is at a nearby airport, but not my own, and sitting out on the tarmac.   So just getting something "working and complete" is worth the extra money for me right now.

[201Mooniac]

I switched to a plane power alternator AL12P70 on my 1980 M20J when I replaced my engine and have found it to be a superior product to the old Prestolite alternator.  The old alternator needed service every few years and never put out much power until over 1200 rpm. My Plane Power alternator has been in service for about 16 years now with no issues, no service, and great power output from 900 rpm.  If I remember correctly it was a slight bit lighter as well.

[Ragsf15e]

6 minutes ago, Flyler said:

Did you find the Plane Power overhaul unit to be lacking?  I'm just curious about the details.  My current alternator case has some issues, seems like the bearings are probably quite worn, etc.  I believe I'm due for an alternator overhaul anyways.  There's also an issue of timing as right now the plane is at a nearby airport, but not my own, and sitting out on the tarmac.   So just getting something "working and complete" is worth the extra money for me right now.

Nothing wrong with the pp.  my mechanic had some fitting issues with it on my F, but it worked fine.  It doesn’t do anything the aly can’t do though, and you can probably have the aly fixed up for half the price.  Id do that and put the money toward something that provides more return.

[Fly Boomer]

7 minutes ago, Flyler said:

There's also an issue of timing as right now the plane is at a nearby airport, but not my own, and sitting out on the tarmac.

If an alternator problem is the only thing keeping it on the ground, I would make sure nothing is flopping around under the cowling, charge up the battery, and fly it home.  Working on an airplane that's tied down outside at an "away" airport is no fun.

[Flyler]

2 minutes ago, Ragsf15e said:

Nothing wrong with the pp.  my mechanic had some fitting issues with it on my F, but it worked fine.  It doesn’t do anything the aly can’t do though, and you can probably have the aly fixed up for half the price.  Id do that and put the money toward something that provides more return.

Thank you for this reply, this really helps with my decision. 

[Flyler]

Gentlemen, I have spoken to Plane Power (Hartzell) engineering and they recommended the AL12-70 kit, which includes new brackets.  They directed me to the engineering drawing on their website as well.  So the old girl will have a new alternator in 2 days from Aircraft Spruce.  I acknowledge this is an expensive option but worth the money for me at this time.

 

Thank you all!