Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 14:51:59 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from [199.185.220.240] (HELO priv-edtnes51.telusplanet.net) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.1b9) with ESMTP id 2473610 for lml@lancaironline.net; Sun, 13 Jul 2003 13:22:22 -0400 Received: from GLLAPTOP ([209.89.166.27]) by priv-edtnes51.telusplanet.net (InterMail vM.5.01.05.17 201-253-122-126-117-20021021) with SMTP id <20030713172218.LGQN128.priv-edtnes51.telusplanet.net@GLLAPTOP> for ; Sun, 13 Jul 2003 11:22:18 -0600 X-Original-Message-ID: <006401c34963$507523f0$6800a8c0@GLLAPTOP> From: "Gerry Leinweber" X-Original-To: "Lancair Mailing List" References: Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Alternator Sizing X-Original-Date: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 11:22:19 -0600 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0061_01C34931.05C9C400" X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2720.3000 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2727.1300 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0061_01C34931.05C9C400 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable A few comments on the electrical loading and 12 Volt vs 24 Volt choices, = and my experience with ordering versus getting the proper alternator and = the infamous coupling.=20 Like most builders, I did a Power analysis and concluded I needed the = 100 Amp alternator to have a safely designed system. The big mistake I = made was not asking more about the 12 Volt Vs 24 Volt question. Indeed, = I am sorry I did not, as if I was allowed to change only one thing on = the project, it would be to use a 24 Volt system. The reasons are many, = and I am not an electical engineer, but let me simply advise all = builders who can still make that decision to seriously consider going 24 = volts. I bought my TSIO-550 direct from Lancair, and ORDERED a 100 Amp 12 Volt = Alternator. Reality is that I GOT a 70 Amp Electrosys (now called = Prestolite) Alternator which is the ALX model and ALX is indeed rated at = 70 Amps. No question is was supposed to be 100 Amps, but when checked = out by the auto-electric shop, it could only put out 70 Amps. I have = been advised that for 100 Amps, I need the ALS (Is there a 100 Amp model = available from Continental??) model on the engine. =20 This research all came about due to intermittant low voltage problems we = had with our electrical system, and as most readers of this list know, = the real problem was the coupler (or Hub as some call it) that = Continental first wanted $1500 for. They finally gave me part free = under warranty, but only after my engineer raised hell, and it still = cost a lot to have the engine lifted so we could remove the oil pan and = sure enough, we found a big piece of the reddish rubber that had broken = off the coupler, and which could have been really bad news to the oil = circulation if it blocked an important channel for oil (or so I was = told) by my engine man who I trust a lot more than I do the people from = TCM.=20 I have spoken to other builders and am amazed these problems are common. = You planned for and ordered 100 Amp Alternator but got 70 instead, and = with the defective hub, low voltage problems occur, and when under full = load, pushing to full amperage (for us it is when the hydraulic pump = kicks in) is major load on the system. My conclusion is that an extra = significant source of electrical power is a good thing. We are hopeful = the Northcoast Deice system becomes a reality, as we will install in a = minute, because then we will have an extra alternator driven by a belt = and that is a good thing for redundancy, safety, and peace of mind when = flying IFR high and fast, plus dealing with icing which up here is = Canada is not theoretical anytime of the year. Gerry Leinweber C-GLFP IV-P =20 ------=_NextPart_000_0061_01C34931.05C9C400 Content-Type: text/html; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

A few comments on the electrical loading and 12 Volt vs 24 Volt = choices, and=20 my experience with ordering versus getting the proper alternator = and the=20 infamous coupling. 

Like most builders, I did a Power analysis and concluded I needed the = 100 Amp=20 alternator to have a safely designed system. The big mistake I made was = not=20 asking more about the 12 Volt Vs 24 Volt question.  Indeed, I = am sorry=20 I did not, as if I was allowed to change only one thing on the project, = it would=20 be to use a 24 Volt system.  The reasons are many, and I am = not an=20 electical engineer, but let me simply advise all builders who can still = make=20 that decision to seriously consider going 24 volts.

I bought my TSIO-550 direct from Lancair, and ORDERED a 100 Amp 12 = Volt=20 Alternator.  Reality is that I GOT a 70 Amp Electrosys = (now=20 called Prestolite) Alternator which is the ALX model and ALX is indeed = rated at=20 70 Amps.  No question is was supposed to be 100 Amps, but when = checked=20 out by the auto-electric shop, it could only put out = 70=20 Amps.  I have been advised that for 100 Amps, I need the = ALS (Is=20 there a 100 Amp model available from Continental??) model on the=20 engine. 

This research all came about due to intermittant low voltage problems = we had=20 with our electrical system, and as most readers of this list know, the = real=20 problem was the coupler (or Hub as some call it) that Continental  = first=20 wanted $1500 for. They finally gave me part free under warranty, = but only=20 after my engineer raised hell, and it still cost a lot to have the = engine lifted=20 so we could remove the oil pan and sure enough, we found a big piece of = the=20 reddish rubber that had broken off the coupler, and which could have = been really=20 bad news to the oil circulation if it blocked an important channel for = oil (or=20 so I was told) by my engine man who I trust a lot more than I = do the=20 people from TCM. 

I have spoken to other builders and am amazed these problems are = common.=20 You planned for and ordered 100 Amp Alternator but got 70 = instead, and=20 with the defective hub, low voltage problems occur, and when under full = load,=20 pushing to full amperage (for us it is when the hydraulic pump = kicks in) is=20 major load on the system.  My conclusion is that an extra = significant=20 source of electrical power is a good thing.  We=20 are hopeful the Northcoast Deice system becomes a reality, as = we will=20 install in a minute, because then we will have an extra alternator = driven=20 by a belt and that is a good thing for redundancy, safety, and peace of = mind=20 when flying IFR high and fast, plus dealing with icing which up here is = Canada=20 is not theoretical anytime of the year.

Gerry Leinweber C-GLFP IV-P=20  

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