---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 07/03/14: 1 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 08:07 AM - Alternator problems (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 08:07:33 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: AeroElectric-List: Alternator problems At 06:31 PM 7/2/2014, you wrote: >Bob, > >I have been reading your book The AeroElectric Connection which is very >informative. I have a couple of issues. > >First, I have a Sonex with an AeroVee engine (VW) with a permanent magnet >alternator. Something is not working because the battery goes dead. When I >go to start the engine my Grand Rapids EIS shows 12.3 volts, after I have >charged the battery. After I start the engine the voltage goes to 12.1. At >wide open throttle it shows 12.2. After I shut down the engine it showed >12.3 > >I put a brand new regulator/rectifer from Sonex in the plane. There is >continuity between the two wires coming from the stator. There is no >continuity between either wire and any of the poles of the stator. The winding is open. > >When I put my multimeter on the two wires coming from the stator, it showed >AC voltage in the 175 volt range at wide open throttle. AC voltage readings on modern multi-meters have to be tempered with the knowledge that their input impedance is very high . . . they will detect AC voltages on conductors in close proximity to some 'activity' but are in fact not capable of carrying any power . . . broken. > >If figured if I was getting that many volts I would run a test to see if it >would light a light bulb. It did not. Paragraph above confirmed. > >Clearly something is rotten in Denmark, or New Hampshire as the case maybe. > >I am open to any help/suggestions as the testing or rectifying (so to speak) >of the problem. Stator winding is open somewhere. Does it look over-heated or smell 'cooked'? > >Second issue. Antennas. In your book page 13-24 you talk about the poor >mans coax termination. You say to keep the distance between the center >wire and the shielding ground wire as short as possible. My question is >what can the distance be before it is not effective? It's ALWAYS effective with deleterious effects being a matter of degree. > By distance I assume >that you mean the distance between the end of the center wire and the place >where you strip off the shielding wire. I would like to build my own >antenna, but it seems somewhat daunting. How about this? http://tinyurl.com/madgr9v > >Thanks for any help. Really liked your book. I'm pleased that you found it useful. Suggest you join us on the AeroElectric List . . . a forum of with about 1500 other builders wrestling with the same questions you are . . . Bob . . . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.