---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 04/30/09: 17 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 06:46 AM - Re: ECU - EFI - Dual Battery Bus - Schottky Diode ? (Eric M. Jones) 2. 07:09 AM - E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION (greg issitt) 3. 07:43 AM - EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Ian) 4. 08:36 AM - Re: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Matt Prather) 5. 08:42 AM - Re: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 6. 08:43 AM - Re: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 7. 09:43 AM - Re: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Ian) 8. 09:43 AM - Re: Re: ECU - EFI - Dual Battery Bus - Schottky Diode ? (simon@synchdes.com) 9. 10:12 AM - Re: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Matt Prather) 10. 11:46 AM - Re: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 11. 12:06 PM - Recommendation for schematic using only 1 B&C PM alternator/Dual Lightspeed II (Kevin Sheely) 12. 01:45 PM - Re: Recommendation for schematic using only 1 B&C PM alternator/Dual Lightspeed II (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 13. 02:25 PM - Re: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION () 14. 03:50 PM - Fried EXP2BUS was EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Ed Anderson) 15. 06:18 PM - ECU - EFI - Dual Battery Bus - Schottky Diode ? (Mike West) 16. 08:08 PM - Re: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION (Tim Andres) 17. 10:05 PM - Re: Fried EXP2BUS was EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator (Mike Humphrey) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 06:46:14 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: Re: ECU - EFI - Dual Battery Bus - Schottky Diode ? From: "Eric M. Jones" Perihelion Design has sold a bunch of dual Schottkys to do exactly what you want. See: www.periheliondesign.com/downloads/powerdeuceschottkymanual.pdf "Amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic." --Anonymous -------- Eric M. Jones www.PerihelionDesign.com 113 Brentwood Drive Southbridge, MA 01550 (508) 764-2072 emjones@charter.net Read this topic online here: http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=242053#242053 ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 07:09:45 AM PST US From: "greg issitt" Subject: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION Hi there, Is there any reference material on this board on how the different ignition systems function? I am just finishing Bob Nuckoll's book and am starting to get a wiring plan together for my Aerovee powered Sonex. I realize I don't know what kind of ignition system the Aerovee engine has, and that I would like to learn more about the differences in all the mag systems used in aircraft. Thanks for any help, Greg Issitt ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:43:19 AM PST US Subject: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator From: Ian Hello, I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from AeroSport Power in Vancouver. I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test pilot thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone on the list had a similar experience. Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. Thanks, Ian Brown, Bromont, Quebec PS: The belt IS tight, but not too tight! ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:36:03 AM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator From: "Matt Prather" What's the bus voltage? If you see values above 12.5V your alternator is putting out some power. If it's above 14V, it sounds like completely normal output. I'm not very familiar with the EXP2BUS.. Where in the circuit is current being measured. Does the system use a shunt or a hall effect sensor? Regards, Matt- > > Hello, > I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an > EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from > AeroSport Power in Vancouver. > > I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test pilot > thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. > > I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone > on the list had a similar experience. > > Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. > > This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies > RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. > > Thanks, > Ian Brown, > Bromont, > Quebec > PS: The belt IS tight, but not too tight! > > ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 08:42:31 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION At 09:01 AM 4/30/2009, you wrote: Hi there, Is there any reference material on this board on how the different ignition systems function? I am just finishing Bob Nuckoll's book and am starting to get a wiring plan together for my Aerovee powered Sonex. I realize I don't know what kind of ignition system the Aerovee engine has, and that I would like to learn more about the differences in all the mag systems used in aircraft. A short visit to the AeroVee web information doesn't give us much detail however, it's almost a certainty that this aero conversion of the popular VW engine comes with a well defined ignition system. On the last page of their sample installation manual at: http://www.sonexaircraft.com/support/AeroVee_sample.pdf we see wiring diagrams for dual ignition. One is a "magneto" type powered from the flywheel. The other is a "battery" type powered from the ship's electrical system. What you see is what you get. You wont have any bolt on options common to other aircraft engines. Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 08:43:21 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator At 09:37 AM 4/30/2009, you wrote: > >Hello, >I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an >EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from >AeroSport Power in Vancouver. > >I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test pilot >thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. > >I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone >on the list had a similar experience. > >Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. > >This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies >RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. What's your bus voltage? Where does your instrumentation read Amps? Battery? Alternator output? Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 09:43:14 AM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator From: Ian Actually I am supposed to have amps being measured on the alternator output with a shunt, for the Van's Aircraft ammeter, and with an induction coil for the Rocky Mountain EIS. Both agree that I'm not putting out amps, and the system is not charging at all. If I run on my Dynon EFIS I get quite a good measure of battery voltage, and it goes down steadily whether the engine is running or not. I guess I may be a bit premature in addressing this list since there is an anomaly I have to check first. The alternator warning light does not come on at all. Any suggestions on why this might be would be appreciated. It could be a simple mis-wire since I just started running the engine recently, and had the battery on a trickle charger constantly until about a week ago. Hopefully the two are symptoms of the same problem. Ian On Thu, 2009-04-30 at 10:43 -0500, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: > > At 09:37 AM 4/30/2009, you wrote: > > > >Hello, > >I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an > >EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from > >AeroSport Power in Vancouver. > > > >I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test pilot > >thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. > > > >I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone > >on the list had a similar experience. > > > >Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. > > > >This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies > >RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. > > What's your bus voltage? Where does your instrumentation > read Amps? Battery? Alternator output? > > > Bob . . . > > ----------------------------------------) > ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) > ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) > ( appearance of being right . . . ) > ( ) > ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) > ---------------------------------------- > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 09:43:41 AM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Re: ECU - EFI - Dual Battery Bus - Schottky Diode ? From: simon@synchdes.com Eric, the anonymous quote below is fabulous! Simon > > > Perihelion Design has sold a bunch of dual Schottkys to do exactly what > you want. See: > > www.periheliondesign.com/downloads/powerdeuceschottkymanual.pdf > > > "Amateurs built the Ark, professionals built the Titanic." > --Anonymous > > -------- > Eric M. Jones > www.PerihelionDesign.com > 113 Brentwood Drive > Southbridge, MA 01550 > (508) 764-2072 > emjones@charter.net > > > Read this topic online here: > > http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=242053#242053 > > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 10:12:43 AM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator From: "Matt Prather" Do the people that produce the EXP2BUS provide a troubleshooting guide? That's what I'd start on (after verifying to the best of my ability that the system is wired as designed). Regards, Matt- > > Actually I am supposed to have amps being measured on the alternator > output with a shunt, for the Van's Aircraft ammeter, and with an > induction coil for the Rocky Mountain EIS. Both agree that I'm not > putting out amps, and the system is not charging at all. If I run on my > Dynon EFIS I get quite a good measure of battery voltage, and it goes > down steadily whether the engine is running or not. > > I guess I may be a bit premature in addressing this list since there is > an anomaly I have to check first. The alternator warning light does not > come on at all. Any suggestions on why this might be would be > appreciated. It could be a simple mis-wire since I just started running > the engine recently, and had the battery on a trickle charger constantly > until about a week ago. Hopefully the two are symptoms of the same > problem. > > Ian > > On Thu, 2009-04-30 at 10:43 -0500, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: >> >> >> At 09:37 AM 4/30/2009, you wrote: >> > >> >Hello, >> >I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an >> >EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from >> >AeroSport Power in Vancouver. >> > >> >I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test >> pilot >> >thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. >> > >> >I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone >> >on the list had a similar experience. >> > >> >Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. >> > >> >This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies >> >RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. >> >> What's your bus voltage? Where does your instrumentation >> read Amps? Battery? Alternator output? >> >> >> Bob . . . >> >> ----------------------------------------) >> ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) >> ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) >> ( appearance of being right . . . ) >> ( ) >> ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) >> ---------------------------------------- >> >> >> >> >> >> > > ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 11:46:19 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator >Actually I am supposed to have amps being measured on the alternator >output with a shunt, for the Van's Aircraft ammeter, and with an >induction coil for the Rocky Mountain EIS. Both agree that I'm not >putting out amps, and the system is not charging at all. If I run on my >Dynon EFIS I get quite a good measure of battery voltage, and it goes >down steadily whether the engine is running or not. Okay, next step is to see if the alternator is even being asked to go to work. Under conditions that you would expect the alternator to be working, check for command voltage at the alternator's control connector. >I guess I may be a bit premature in addressing this list since there is >an anomaly I have to check first. The alternator warning light does not >come on at all. If the alternator is not being commanded ON, it may well consider operations to be "normal" and not illuminate a light. Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 12:06:54 PM PST US From: "Kevin Sheely" Subject: AeroElectric-List: Recommendation for schematic using only 1 B&C PM alternator/Dual Lightspeed II ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 01:45:19 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Recommendation for schematic using only 1 B&C PM alternator/Dual Lightspeed II There's not a lot of choices . . . but I'm curious. What's the engine/airframe combination upon which you plan to install this combination? How do you plan to use the airplane? Finally, why dual electronic ignition systems? You would probably start with something like Z-16 http://www.aeroelectric.com/PPS/Adobe_Architecture_Pdfs/Z16M.pdf and run the ignition(s) directly from the battery. Bob . . . ----------------------------------------) ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) ---------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 02:25:33 PM PST US Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION From: Greg, Not sure if you got to Sun N' Fun last week but E-Mag had a nice table with lots of examples and information. I have found that if you go digging on each of the respective vendor sites, you will find lots of detail on each, albeit by individual authors. That is probably your best bet. Aerovee will tell you what they prefer (you can be sure they have an opinion). Yes, the learning process is good practice and lots of fun. Glenn From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of greg issitt Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:02 AM Subject: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION Hi there, Is there any reference material on this board on how the different ignition systems function? I am just finishing Bob Nuckoll's book and am starting to get a wiring plan together for my Aerovee powered Sonex. I realize I don't know what kind of ignition system the Aerovee engine has, and that I would like to learn more about the differences in all the mag systems used in aircraft. Thanks for any help, Greg Issitt ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 03:50:49 PM PST US From: "Ed Anderson" Subject: Fried EXP2BUS was AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator Hi Ian, While I do not have an EXP2bus, I did assist a fellow RVer who had one that was giving him problems. The problem was the battery would not stay charged, charge it up and over night it would be dead. I had no experience with the EXP2bus, but did have a voltohm meter and got the schematics off the internet. To make a long story short, at some point someone had blown/cooked the Exp2 on-board 40 amp (Master) relay. More on how I think they did it - which is my real reason for addressing your question. When I first pulled the board I noticed that the solder coating on some of the copper traces on the board had gotten hot enough to melt and run off - a sure sign of excessive current flow. I then found that the master on-board relay was missing from its socket and a heavy strip of copper bar had been solder across two of the relays socket pins. The addition of this jumper strip in lieu of the relay resulted in the battery remaining connected to the alternator B lead (and other board loads) even with the master switch off. The reason is that when the board's master switch is on all it does is ground the circuit through this relay and causes it to close (or open if switch is off). So with no relay and the jumper installed, there was no way to disconnect the load drain on the battery which as a consequence was drained overnight. I looking over the EXP2 diagram it became clear that IF the board's master switch was left ON AND the "B" lead of the alternator was grounded (or the alternator somehow shorted out) that the path of current went from battery through board (melting the solder from the traces), through the relay (frying the 40 amp relay) and on to ground through the "B" lead. Now, I was not there, so don't know if this happened, but it certainly would fry the board if it did. So make certain that if you work on the board or alternator to disconnect the battery OR at a minimum insure the Master switch is OFF. Now, I don't know if your board has a problem, but if I had and Exp2 board and my battery was not charging I would check the on-board relay. Ed Ed Anderson Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered Matthews, NC eanderson@carolina.rr.com http://www.andersonee.com http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html http://www.flyrotary.com/ http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW http://www.rotaryaviation.com/Rotorhead%20Truth.htm -----Original Message----- From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Ian Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:40 PM Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator Actually I am supposed to have amps being measured on the alternator output with a shunt, for the Van's Aircraft ammeter, and with an induction coil for the Rocky Mountain EIS. Both agree that I'm not putting out amps, and the system is not charging at all. If I run on my Dynon EFIS I get quite a good measure of battery voltage, and it goes down steadily whether the engine is running or not. I guess I may be a bit premature in addressing this list since there is an anomaly I have to check first. The alternator warning light does not come on at all. Any suggestions on why this might be would be appreciated. It could be a simple mis-wire since I just started running the engine recently, and had the battery on a trickle charger constantly until about a week ago. Hopefully the two are symptoms of the same problem. Ian On Thu, 2009-04-30 at 10:43 -0500, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: > > At 09:37 AM 4/30/2009, you wrote: > > > >Hello, > >I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an > >EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from > >AeroSport Power in Vancouver. > > > >I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test pilot > >thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. > > > >I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone > >on the list had a similar experience. > > > >Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. > > > >This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies > >RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. > > What's your bus voltage? Where does your instrumentation > read Amps? Battery? Alternator output? > > > Bob . . . > > ----------------------------------------) > ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) > ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) > ( appearance of being right . . . ) > ( ) > ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) > ---------------------------------------- > > > > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 3267 (20080714) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 06:18:15 PM PST US From: Mike West Subject: AeroElectric-List: ECU - EFI - Dual Battery Bus - Schottky Diode ? Thank you all very much for your responses. Bob=2C I have your book (which I like very much) ... Where do you reckon I got the dual diode idea anyway ? To my knowledge=2C there are 3 things to provide power to for electronic en gine control: ECU (black box controller)=2C fuel injectors & ignition coils . The ECU is shown in the Aeroelectric diagrams ... but not the injectors o r coils. The ECU I have is made by Real World Solutions (EC3-AA) and controls the gr ound side of the injectors and coils. I'm assuming they use some type of tr ansistors/switches to turn on/off the injectors & coils. Whatever power I p rovide to the ECU is not used by the injectors & coils but rather for opera ting the internal switches in the ECU (that pulse on/off injectors & coils) . My first concern is that I have adequate voltage for the fuel injectors and the ignition coils. If the alternator dies and the batteries are at 12V th en I would have ~11.5V to operate the injectors and coils (0.5V lost across Schottky diodes). Also ... should I power the ECU at exactly the same voltage I provide to th e injectors and coils? Is the ECU smart enough to recognize the voltage sup plied to it and perhaps fire the injectors and coils differently based on t he voltage it sees? What if my ECU was powered at 12V (thru a switch) and m y injectors & coils were powered at 11.5V (thru diodes)? That is a question I will send to Real World Solutions / Rotary Aviation and post. Yeah ... I know what you're thinkin ... we answer one question for this guy now he'll never leave us alone ! Thanks again :-) -Mike _________________________________________________________________ Rediscover Hotmail=AE: Get quick friend updates right in your inbox. http://windowslive.com/RediscoverHotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_HM_Rediscover_ Updates2_042009 ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 08:08:35 PM PST US From: Tim Andres Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION Lightspeed's website has a section that deals in depth on the advanteges of electronic ingnition and the pros & cons of the different systems types as well as a good deal of info on flame speeds etc with the various mixture r atios . Good reading material.=0ATim Andres=0A=0A=0A=0A=0A_________________ _______________=0AFrom: "longg@pjm.com" =0ATo: aeroelectric- list@matronics.com=0ASent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 2:23:38 PM=0ASubject: R E: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION=0A=0A=0AGreg,=0A=C2- =0ANot sure if you got to Sun N=99 Fun last week but E-Mag had a nice table with lots of examples and information. I have found that if you go d igging on each of the respective vendor sites, you will find lots of detail on each, albeit by individual authors. That is probably your best bet.=0A =C2-=0AAerovee will tell you what they prefer (you can be sure they have an opinion). Yes, the learning process is good practice and lots of fun.=0A =C2-=0AGlenn=0A=C2-=0AFrom:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of greg is sitt=0ASent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:02 AM=0ATo: aeroelectric-list@matr onics.com=0ASubject: AeroElectric-List: E-MAGS, P-MAGS, CDI QUESTION=0A=C2 -=0AHi there,=0AIs there any reference material on this board on how the different ignition systems function? I am just finishing Bob Nuckoll =99s book and am starting to get a wiring plan together for my Aerovee powe red Sonex. I realize I don=99t know what kind of ignition system the Aerovee engine has, and that I would like to learn more about the differenc es in all the mag systems used in aircraft.=0AThanks for any help,=0AGreg I ssitt=0A=C2-=0A=C2-=0A =C2-=0A =C2-=0Ahttp://www.matronics.com/Navi gator?AeroElectric-List=0Ahttp://forums.matronics.com=0Ahttp://www.matronic ===== ________________________________ Message 17 ____________________________________ Time: 10:05:53 PM PST US From: "Mike Humphrey" Subject: Re: Fried EXP2BUS was AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator Ian, Did you install a 40amp breaker per the instructions between the alternator and the EXP2bus? The Master breaker is only designed for 35amp on the board. Mike H ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Anderson" Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 6:48 PM Subject: Fried EXP2BUS was AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator > > > Hi Ian, > > While I do not have an EXP2bus, I did assist a fellow RVer who had one > that > was giving him problems. The problem was the battery would not stay > charged, charge it up and over night it would be dead. > > I had no experience with the EXP2bus, but did have a voltohm meter and got > the schematics off the internet. To make a long story short, at some > point > someone had blown/cooked the Exp2 on-board 40 amp (Master) relay. More on > how I think they did it - which is my real reason for addressing your > question. > > When I first pulled the board I noticed that the solder coating on some of > the copper traces on the board had gotten hot enough to melt and run off - > a > sure sign of excessive current flow. I then found that the master > on-board > relay was missing from its socket and a heavy strip of copper bar had been > solder across two of the relays socket pins. > > The addition of this jumper strip in lieu of the relay resulted in the > battery remaining connected to the alternator B lead (and other board > loads) > even with the master switch off. The reason is that when the board's > master > switch is on all it does is ground the circuit through this relay and > causes > it to close (or open if switch is off). > > So with no relay and the jumper installed, there was no way to disconnect > the load drain on the battery which as a consequence was drained > overnight. > > I looking over the EXP2 diagram it became clear that IF the board's master > switch was left ON AND the "B" lead of the alternator was grounded (or the > alternator somehow shorted out) that the path of current went from battery > through board (melting the solder from the traces), through the relay > (frying the 40 amp relay) and on to ground through the "B" lead. Now, I > was > not there, so don't know if this happened, but it certainly would fry the > board if it did. > > So make certain that if you work on the board or alternator to disconnect > the battery OR at a minimum insure the Master switch is OFF. > > Now, I don't know if your board has a problem, but if I had and Exp2 board > and my battery was not charging I would check the on-board relay. > > Ed > > Ed Anderson > > Rv-6A N494BW Rotary Powered > > Matthews, NC > > eanderson@carolina.rr.com > > http://www.andersonee.com > > http://www.dmack.net/mazda/index.html > > http://www.flyrotary.com/ > > http://members.cox.net/rogersda/rotary/configs.htm#N494BW > > http://www.rotaryaviation.com/Rotorhead%20Truth.htm > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Ian > Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 12:40 PM > To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com > Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: EXP2BUS and non-functioning alternator > > > Actually I am supposed to have amps being measured on the alternator > output with a shunt, for the Van's Aircraft ammeter, and with an > induction coil for the Rocky Mountain EIS. Both agree that I'm not > putting out amps, and the system is not charging at all. If I run on my > Dynon EFIS I get quite a good measure of battery voltage, and it goes > down steadily whether the engine is running or not. > > I guess I may be a bit premature in addressing this list since there is > an anomaly I have to check first. The alternator warning light does not > come on at all. Any suggestions on why this might be would be > appreciated. It could be a simple mis-wire since I just started running > the engine recently, and had the battery on a trickle charger constantly > until about a week ago. Hopefully the two are symptoms of the same > problem. > > Ian > > On Thu, 2009-04-30 at 10:43 -0500, Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote: > >> >> At 09:37 AM 4/30/2009, you wrote: >> > >> >Hello, >> >I'm in the primary flight testing phase with my RV-9A. I have an >> >EXP2BUS and a 40A alternator with an internal regulator which came from >> >AeroSport Power in Vancouver. >> > >> >I've never seen the alternator charging strongly, although my test pilot >> >thinks he saw 20A the other day. I see no amps at any engine speed. >> > >> >I believe I have everything connected correctly and wondered if anyone >> >on the list had a similar experience. >> > >> >Any advice on what to check and in what sequence, would be appreciated. >> > >> >This is my first Matronics post, and hopefully my new-to-Canadian-skies >> >RV-9A will be able to feed itself with electric power with your help. >> >> What's your bus voltage? Where does your instrumentation >> read Amps? Battery? Alternator output? >> >> >> Bob . . . >> >> ----------------------------------------) >> ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) >> ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) >> ( appearance of being right . . . ) >> ( ) >> ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) >> ---------------------------------------- >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus > signature > database 3267 (20080714) __________ > > The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.