by dirkverdonck » Sun Jul 19, 2020 5:00 am
Hi All,
Last week, I experienced a battery charging problem shortly after leaving my home airport. Normally, after T/O, the battery voltage is increasing slowly up to about 13.8V after about 15 min of cruise flight. (I perform ground ops without the electronic ignition to preserve battery voltage whilst on the ground as the alternator is not putting any charge into the battery at low revs.)
Switching on and off the alternator switch and checking the breaker didn't improve things and I continued for a while on the magneto only before returning home to investigate.
No loose wires or connectors found, I replaced the regulator and did a ground run without result. Checked the alternator windings resistance and possible short to ground: all ok.
Went further and removed switch to find a shiny connector screw and a dark brown one!!! Apparantly corrosion had occured in that connector which showed green because of corrosion.
Replaced the 3$ switch and replaced both wire connectors and did a test run: all great!
I will now carry my old regulator aboard in case of....
Lesson learned: inspect and change the sheap component first before ordering the pricy ones!
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- Alternator switch.JPG (42.69 KiB) Viewed 4838 times
Dirk Verdonck
Leffinge, Belgium
Onex #117
Taildragger, Aerovee 2.1, MGL iEFIS, TRIG radio and Transponder, electric flaps, external elevator trim, shortened wingtips, hydraulic brakes, hightened seat pan, extra inspection panels, etc