Converting from generator to alternator

[A64Pilot]

On 5/25/2017 at 5:33 AM, chrixxer said:

After tripping the generator breaker in flight, and with some planned avionics upgrades that might tax the old tech (and with relatively long waits for IFR release fairly common, due to the proximity of LAX)... thinking an alternator conversion may make sense (along with the Concorde battery).

How involved is it to install 70A-capable wiring and breaker? (1966 E, original windshield.)

It’s not too tough, you have to ensure the wiring from the alternator to the battery can handle 70 amps, to include the ground side and install a 70 amp CB.

A way to do it would be to follow the drawings of a Mooney that came equipped with a 70 amp or higher rated alternator.

About the only way your likely to exceed 50 amps though is to have a heavily discharged battery, battery could be charging at say 35 amps, then if the aircraft draw exceeds 15 amps your breaker will likely trip.

Those numbers are made up, but a deeply discharged battery can suck up a lot of amps initially.

Maybe the biggest advantage of a high output alternator is that if it’s never put near its max output then it’s never getting hot, and a cool running alternator will last much longer than one run near max output.