---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 04/16/09: 6 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:29 AM - Re: Alternator Aux (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 2. 06:44 AM - Re: G3i Ignition () 3. 08:37 AM - Re: Alternator Aux (rckol) 4. 11:17 AM - Re: Molex - AMP "Mate-n-Lock" pin extraction tool (rampil) 5. 05:52 PM - Re: Re: Molex - AMP "Mate-n-Lock" pin extraction tool (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 6. 05:54 PM - Re: Re: Alternator Aux (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:29:20 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Alternator Aux At 09:14 PM 4/15/2009, you wrote: > >I am considering the use of the PlanePower regulator to control a >SD-20 alternator. The regulator provides an Aux input that monitors >for low voltage (or no voltage due to crowbar trip), but I am told >by PlanePower that the expected input for low voltage monitoring is >a half voltage (0-7 volt) output from an alternator. > >I don't see any such output on the SD-20. Would it be reasonable to >produce this half voltage with a simple voltage divider made from a >pair of identical resistors between the bus voltage and ground or is >there more to this than I am seeing? You're going to have to has the designer of the regulator about that. It sounds like their regulator is designed to exploit the old "S" terminal that used to grace the back of many alternators. The "S" lead was connected to the center junction of a wye-connected stator winding and under normal operations this lead produced an output about 1/2 of system voltage when the alternator was being turned by the engine. This output was often used to pull in a relay that closed the field supply circuit to the regulator. This feature provided automatic disconnect of the field when the engine was stopped. This was a automatic disabling of the field supply that would prevent an unnecessary drain on the battery. I'm mystified as to why they would offer such a regulator. A few alternator designs on Wichita piston aircraft had "S" terminals but to my knowledge, that terminal was never used as a source for powering an excitation control relay. I used to build a voltage sensor that would annunciate a failed alternator by monitoring the "S" terminal bit I don't recall it being used any other way. I'm thinking the "S" terminal has all but disappeared from modern alternator offerings. Assuming that my hypothesis for their inclusion of this connection is correct . . . and assuming further that the regulator is needing to see this voltage just to "come alive" then your voltage divider suggestion may be fine. Or perhaps it just needs to be jumpered to the field supply input terminal. You'll need to ask them about that. Certainly their STC list speaks to a ton of aircraft that will not have an alternator fitted with "S" terminals so they'll have to do something with that input to the alternator. Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:44:05 AM PST US Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: G3i Ignition From: Bakerocb, This is basically the same mod that has been available for hot rods for the last 30 years. Better, hotter, faster and lots of other marketing hype. I've not tried them on Lycomings, but they've helped one or more of my projects that suffered from frequently wet distributors, cheap wires etc. One bonus is that it should improve fuel burn. I just got done spending 4k on my EI from Lightspeed. I'll need to wait to upgrade. Glenn -----Original Message----- From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of bakerocb@cox.net Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 9:18 PM Subject: AeroElectric-List: G3i Ignition 4/15/200 Hello Fellow Builders, I was just introduced to G3i ignition. See here: http://www.g3ignition.com/ I am wondering if any fellow listers have any field experience with this system or comments regarding the concept and implementation. Thanks. 'OC' Says: "The best investment we can make is the effort to gather and understand knowledge." ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 08:37:20 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Alternator Aux From: "rckol" Thanks Bob, >From what I was told, the Aux terminal does nothing but monitor voltage and control the low voltage/overvoltage lamp. So it sounds like it works similar to your voltage sensor that you mention. This regulator is intended to replace whole catalogs of other regulators, so it probably something provided just for those that use it, although the function has apparently changed somewhat. If there is no Aux output on the alternator and a voltage warning light is used, the instructions are to jumper the Aux terminal to the field control terminal. In this case, it will only signal an overvoltage condition (after the field breaker is crowbarred). Since the voltage it is looking for is in the neighborhood of 6-7 volts, it is cannot provide a low voltage indication in this configuration (until it is way too late). I will check with them. -------- rck Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=239528#239528 ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 11:17:26 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: Molex - AMP "Mate-n-Lock" pin extraction tool From: "rampil" Hi Bob, Sometimes your mileage may vary! I used the AMP frame and the specified dies. One wire once pulled out under minimal strain(and I will take the hit for that!), in the other cases, the wire/connection pin or socket just backed out of the plastic. Given the pain in the neck that repairing finished connectors in an airframe can be, I chose to invest in a higher quality part which mostly translates to AMP CPC connectors Ira -------- Ira N224XS Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=239562#239562 ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 05:52:14 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Molex - AMP "Mate-n-Lock" pin extraction tool At 01:16 PM 4/16/2009, you wrote: > >Hi Bob, > >Sometimes your mileage may vary! > >I used the AMP frame and the specified dies. One wire once pulled out >under minimal strain(and I will take the hit for that!), in the other cases, >the wire/connection pin or socket just backed out of the plastic. > >Given the pain in the neck that repairing finished connectors in an airframe >can be, I chose to invest in a higher quality part which mostly >translates to AMP CPC connectors Hmmmm . . . can you send me your tool, some pins and the connectors you're working with? Something doesn't add up here. AMP has been in business for a very long time and they seldom stub their toe . . . especially on a legacy product of some 40+ years. Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 05:54:27 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: Alternator Aux At 10:35 AM 4/16/2009, you wrote: > >Thanks Bob, > > >From what I was told, the Aux terminal does nothing but monitor > voltage and control the low voltage/overvoltage lamp. So it > sounds like it works similar to your voltage sensor that you mention. > >This regulator is intended to replace whole catalogs of other >regulators, so it probably something provided just for those that >use it, although the function has apparently changed somewhat. > >If there is no Aux output on the alternator and a voltage warning >light is used, the instructions are to jumper the Aux terminal to >the field control terminal. Okay, that makes sense. > In this case, it will only signal an overvoltage condition (after > the field breaker is crowbarred). Since the voltage it is looking > for is in the neighborhood of 6-7 volts, it is cannot provide a low > voltage indication in this configuration (until it is way too late). Don't know about the "too late" idea. Using the aux terminal on an alternator for ANY purpose other than the original intent of controlling field excitation is a stretch of design goals. LV warning should be independent of the regulator function and have nothing to do with connections to the alternator. This is how it works in the B&C regulators. If the regulator you're considering is NOT fitted with a 13.0 volt threshold LV sensor then you'll need an external lv monitoring device. The feature you're wrestling with was never intended to provide that functionality with precision. Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message aeroelectric-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.