Today's Message Index:
----------------------
0. 06:53 AM - [Please Read] What are "The Lists" and Who's This Matt Dralle? (Matt Dralle)
1. 06:22 AM - Re: Battery/alternator interlock required? (Robert L. Nuckolls, III)
Message 0
PREVIOUS | Skip to PREVIOUS Message |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | [Please Read] What are "The Lists" and Who's This Matt |
Dralle?
Dear Listers,
Who is Matt Dralle and what exactly are these Lists? Well, I've been working in
the information technology industry for over 35 years primarily in computer
networking design and implementation. I have also done extensive work in web
development and CGI design during that time, along with a fair amount of embedded
system and software development as well.
I started the Matronics Email Lists back in 1990 with about 30 fellow RV builders
from around the world. Since that time, I have added 80 other kinds of aircraft
related Lists to the line up and numerous other List related services such
as the Forums, Wiki, Archives and Search Engine just to name a few.
For flexibility and reliability, I have chosen to run all of my own servers here
locally. Other List-related systems include a 1 Gigabit, fully switched network
infrastructure, a commercial-grade Netscreen firewall, a Barracuda spam filter,
a local 1G Internet router, and a commercial-grade business 1Gb/s Internet
connection with full static addressing.
The computer servers found here include a quad-processor Xeon Linux server for
List web services, a dual-processor Xeon Linux system dedicated to the email processing
List functions, and another P4 Linux system serving as a remote storage
disk farm for the archives, databases, and for an on-line hard drive-based
backup system with 3.2 Terra Bytes of storage! This entire system is protected
by three large, commercial-grade uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems that
assure the Lists are available even during a local power outage! Speaking
of power, imagine how much electricity it takes to run all of these systems.
One month a couple of Summers ago, I had a staggering $1368 bill for electricity
alone!
Recently, I upgraded all of the computer racking infrastructure including new power
feeds and dedicated air conditioning for the room that serves as the Computer
Center for the Matronics Email Lists.
As you can see, I take running these Lists very seriously and I am dedicated to
providing an always-on, 24x7x365 experience for each and every Lister.
But, building and running this system isn't cheap. As I've stated before, I don't
support any of these systems with commercial advertising on the Lists. It
is supported 100% through List member Contributions! That means you... and you...
and YOU!
To that end, I hold a List Fund Raiser each November and ask that members make
a small Contribution to support the continued operation and upgrade of this ever-expanding
system. Its solely YOUR Contributions that keeps it running!
Won't you please take a moment to make a Contribution to support these Lists!
http://www.matronics.com/contribution
Or, by dropping a personal check in the mail to:
Matronics / Matt Dralle
581 Jeannie Way
Livermore CA 94550-7227
USA
There are some great gifts available with qualifying Contribution levels too!
Thank you!
Matt Dralle
Matronics Email List Administrator
Message 1
INDEX | Back to Main INDEX |
NEXT | Skip to NEXT Message |
LIST | Reply to LIST Regarding this Message |
SENDER | Reply to SENDER Regarding this Message |
|
Subject: | Re: Battery/alternator interlock required? |
At 10:02 PM 11/22/2019, you wrote:
>I admit I'm fuzzy on the ways batteries and alternators interact.
>I'm adding a backup alternator and using Z-12 as my guide. I have
>one of those standard red split rocker switches which doesn't allow
>the alternator to be on without the battery master being on. Would
>it be bad to have the battery go off with the alternator on? The
>standby has a field switch but it's not connected to the other one
>so it would certainly be possible to have that on and shut off the
>other one. If I want to replace the rocker with a toggle, should I
>use a switch that can do off - batt - batt + alt or could I use two
>separate toggle switches?
The 'split rocker' switch was birthed
in the 60's when alternators first began
to replace generators. Alternator/regulator
combinations of the time were not as well
behaved as modern machines. They might not
self-excite. A heavily loaded alternator
might stall and quit if subjected to a
large transient like landing gear pump
or fat landing light . . . recall that the
well fitted aircraft of the time had a panel
full of vacuum tube radios.
While not so critical today (solid state
radios, fewer radios, incandescent landing
lights flying off into the sunset with dodo
birds . . .) having a battery on line any
time alternator ops are needed is not a
bad idea.
The split rocker made sure
that any time the alternator operation
was desired, there would be a battery on
line to keep it happily ginning out electrons
under the worst case conditions.
In my not so humble opinion, from a fabrication
standpoint the rocker switch is a pain in the
you-know-what . . . never did like to cut
rectangular holes when a spot-facer (or now a
step bit) in a drill motor would make such neat
work of the task for mounting switches. Hence, the S702-10
toggle switch substitution for the rocker
switch for performance of the same action.
If it were my airplane, I'd wire up as
suggested in Z-12 using toggle switches.
You have a option of incorporating an
auto-switch feature for the standby alternator
utilizing the SB-1 regulator in which case
normal flight operations are conducted with
BOTH alternators ON. Or fit the standby
alternator with an LR3 or other generic
regulator and do the standby alternator
selection manually as needed. Either works
just fine and the later is less expensive.
But in any case, I suggest you strive to have a
battery on line at all times whether you use a
progressive transfer OFF-BAT-BAT+ALT switch or separate
switches. For my money, the fewer holes in
the panel the better . . . and round holes
are 10x more desirable than square ones.
Bob . . .
Other Matronics Email List Services
These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.
-- Please support this service by making your Contribution today! --
|