The November Aviation Consumer has an article on page 8 on “Lightweight Alternators.”  It states:

 

“New alternators are lighter and use improved materials and designs in the hopes of offering better efficiency and reliability.  Moreover, these new alternators develop cleaner, less electrically noisy power, which is a must for aircraft that are increasingly equipped with all-electronic instrumentation….  Lightweight alternators produce more power at lower RPM through better efficiency than first-generation designs.  They achieve this efficiency simply through improved technology with tighter tolerances between the stator and the rotor through improved manufacturing techniques….   Heat is controlled through the use of the latest materials in both heat sink and insulation.  Better dynamic balancing reduces wobble friction and advances in semiconductors provide cooler, more efficient rectifiers and other circuitry…..”

 

Sample alternators from Plane-Power, National Air Parts, Lamar Technologies, B&C Specialty, and Kelly Aerospace are listed.

 

Have any of you had experience with these new alternators?

 

Is there a “standard” alternator that Lancair provides with the Continental 550 and fastbuild?  Do you know what alternator that is?

 

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

John Hafen

 

IVP

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