George,

He is probably not talking to folks who install an electrically dependant alternative engine.  If you just forget the problems that might arise getting Tracy’s controllers, etc, and the 12V auto starter to work on 24V, you still have to accept the fact that that “big 24V battery” can fail.  If is does and you don’t have a second battery, it will get very quiet in the cockpit until the screaming starts.  Also don’t forget that the only way you can get a 24V battery is to tie two 12V batteries together.  If you go with one 24V battery, you have the same battery weight plus the weight of redundant busses.  If you go with two batteries, you now have 4 times the weight of one 12V battery.  If you try to mix the systems so you have 24V and 12V, you have a nightmare.

The only real advantage seems to me to be wire weight (smaller wire for 24V).  I am pretty sure that I ate more weight for last nights dinner than the entire wireing system in my plane  :>)

If you really want to save weight in your plane, go on a diet!  (I don’t want to hear that you are 7 feet tall and weigh 120 lbs!  :>))

Bill B 

Kelly,

Being electronically challenged I had a quick look. It says 24 volts is better for aircraft use eliminating the need for extra batteries and alternator, I'm wondering why builders collectively don't already go that way. Are there complications or additional expenses to be considered or are auto conversions typically locked in to a 12 volt system for one reason or another - perhaps just the alternator.

George ( down under)