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1. 11:03 PM - Monkworkz MZ-30L, 2.6 lb 30 amp generator (bigginsking)
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| Subject: | Monkworkz MZ-30L, 2.6 lb 30 amp generator |
Greetings,
Someone was kind enough to let me know I should post something on this forum about
my new generator.
Device name: MZ-30L.
Description: 2.6 lb, 30 amp, vacuum pad driven generator for experimental aircraft
running Lycoming engines.
Company: Monkworkz.
Price: $995.
Installation manual and frequently asked questions are on the website: http://monkworkz.com
A bit of commentary:
The manual is long and detailed because this device is different than anything
else for this application.
It does everything I need in a single power source. I can run solely on this power
source from start up to shutdown and I'm at a towered field where long taxis
and ground delays are common.
I have an IFR RV-8 with dual electronic ignition and I wanted a backup power source
that wasn't difficult to install, powerful enough to carry all of my typical
loads, and light enough to offer a substantial weight savings over a single
alternator/dual battery PC625 setup. This device checks all of those boxes for
me. Onboard fuse and current shunt are bonuses on top of that.
RPM vs power output:
The manual objectively addresses this: ~900-1000 is where you will get 15 amps.
But subjectively, even at 700-800 RPM I still get enough power for my plane but
not 15 amps and there are periods when I'm slowing down that the battery is
carrying my system. From the Sacramento Sky Ranch Manual, 2nd edition, on idle
speed, pg 137: "An Idle Speed of 1100 is necessary with cold oil to create sufficient
splash." Given that, 900 RPM shouldn't be a problem for anyone but you
know your own airplane. For me, even doing just a lap or two around the pattern
I come back with a charged battery after tower delays, and long taxis out
and back.
Cooling:
It does require one more cooling duct than a traditional alternator, I have measured
what the difference is in pressure delta between the top and bottom of the
cylinders and it is on the order of 1.7%, and about the difference you would
see from changing airspeed by 1 knot.
Field testing:
There are ten prototypes in the field. Below is a list of the types of planes,
and who has them. If you know them, please feel free to contact them. Most have
authorized me to put prospective buyers in contact with them, so contact me
if you would like to talk with them and I'll make the connection. In three cases
I did the installation myself but for the rest of these I provided the manual
and they were able to install it with very few or no questions. In one case,
basically all I heard back was "All good so far, no issues" (Paul Rosales).
RV-8 - Bill Judge (Primary power, alternator is backup)
Please don't ask me how long it took to develop this thing.
Tailwind - 2021 Raspet Awardee [google that] (sole means of power)
Are you sure you want to be associated with me?
Harmon Rocket - Adam Pontius (Backup, dual electronic ignition)
Flawless.
RV-4 - Paul Kessel (Backup, dual electronic ignition)
Completely good! If you want to use me as a reference for people to call I am fine
with that as well!
RV-4 Dave Anders (Backup, dual electronic ignition)
I think youve got a winner.
RV-3 - Wheeler North (Backup, dual electronic ignition)
Don't you want me to pay for this?
RV-10 - Rich Jankowski (Backup, IFR platform)
RV10, LYC IO-540 BU DC generator performs flawlessly! Easy to install!
RV-10 - Joe Waltz (Backup, IFR platform)
Glad to report that all testing has gone well.
Lancair IVP - Bob Pastusek (LOBO founder, long time Maintenance officer, 28V version
on a continental TSIO 550, backup power for an IFR platform)
N437RP, a Lancair IV-P based in Ft Worth, TX. Bob Knuckles model Z dual 28 volt
electrical system. The alternator normally runs in on-line standby mode at an
output voltage just less than the primary alternator. In this mode it outputs
1-2 amps continuously to aircraft systems. If the primary alternator fails or
is taken off-line, the standby automatically picks up the full steady-state power
requirement of 14-15 amps during daylight ops and 18-20 amps at night.
I could not be happier with it!!
RV-6 - Paul Rosales (backup power)
I cant thank you enough for this and giving me great great great peace of mind!
Rosie
Letting someone else put something in your airplane is a huge decision. All of
these guys volunteered and I'm incredibly grateful for that. Big thanks to all
of them. They are all still running them.
I see two use cases for the MZ-30L:
1. Primary power for a magneto ignition day VFR plane where minimum weight is a
priority.
2. Backup power for planes that are dependent on electrical power whether that's
dual electronic iginition or IFR.
I think that the MZ-30L can do both well in almost every case, but every application
is going to vary and have compromises: Such as spending $995 vs $100 at
autozone or one vs two 3/4 inch ducts that probably represent a 1% change in cooling
capacity.
Please contact me if you're interested: bill@monkworkz.com or info@monkworkz.com.
I want to get an understanding of each user's application before I sell them
a unit and make sure that it is right for them. My website will eventually support
online purchases.
Here is the boilerplate info about the unit:
Monkworkz, LLC is proud to introduce the MZ-30L(Patent Pending) for Lycoming and
similar engines. A clean sheet design to aircraft power that leverages the most
recent advancements in power electronics and electromechanical machinery.
The MZ-30L is a 30 amp, 3 pound, vacuum pad driven generator for 14 volt electrical
systems. It can be used in backup or primary power applications and is optimized
for easy installation on experimental aircraft.
The MZ-30L has several features that simplify installation and add capability,
including:
Self-exciting: no external phantom current needed to generate power.
Fast (~5 ms) electronic current limiting backed up with an integrated fuse.
Integrated current shunt: read current from a shunt provided with the device.
Integrated current measurement with proportional voltage output: 0-4.4 volts that
scales linearly with current out for input to EFIS/EIS systems or other device.
Compact design with a compact shear coupling: Generator depth is less than 4 inches
from the vacuum pad face. Diameter is less than 2.5 inches.
Intelligent integration with other power sources: in a backup power application
the MZ-30L actively monitors bus voltage and comes on line ~200 ms after bus
voltage drops below spec.
Remote Enable: Allows installation of pilot operated switch to enable/disable the
device.
*Also available: 28 V versions, and versions for Continental engines where the
vacuum pad RPM is 1.5 times the crankshaft RPM.
~15 amps available at 1000 rpm on engines where the vacuum pad RPM is 1.3 times
the crankshaft RPM, 30 amps available above 1800 crank RPM
--------
Bill Judge
N84WJ, RV-8
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=505229#505229
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