Skymaster Forum  

Go Back   Skymaster Forum > Messages
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Today's Posts

Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Unread 08-14-20, 06:36 PM
mshac's Avatar
mshac mshac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Texas
Posts: 763
mshac is on a distinguished road
Alternator upgrade

Is it possible, or advisable, to install a higher rated alternator when doing a replacement? In other words, if my front alternator is 38 amps, can I install a 60 amp rear alternator? Or must I do both at once?

Inquiring minds want to know!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Unread 08-14-20, 08:06 PM
mshac's Avatar
mshac mshac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Texas
Posts: 763
mshac is on a distinguished road
I read some past threads and I now understand that the 60 amp alternators put more stress on the coupler. which is expensive when it breaks. I may just stay with the factory 38 amp rated alternators.

The Cessna 400 balanced regulator upgrade looks interesting.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Unread 08-15-20, 11:14 AM
Learjetter's Avatar
Learjetter Learjetter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: KOKC
Posts: 262
Learjetter is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by mshac View Post
The Cessna 400 balanced regulator upgrade looks interesting.

I'm considering dual PlanePower R1224s regulators. Looks like replacing the regulators with the R1224s eliminates the irksome diode assembly and alternator sensing circuit boards, and the overvolt sensor.

Plus side: solid state parallel load sharing & regulation & sensing in a fairly inexpensive unit (about $220 ea @ qaa.com). Appears the current annunciators for FRONT and REAR alt out can be used. Also likely eliminates the battery pack (so overvolt button and ALT reset button could be re-purposed for chem trails )

Downside: Might require STC (still researching approved models), certainly requires 337. If one goes offline, it stays offline and you finish the flight on 1 alternator. If both go offline, you finish the flight on battery.

Annual coming up this winter...if I can't get my circuit board and diodes all squared away, I might just rip it all out and put in the planepower regulators.

Someone also on this board re-build the circuit board & diode assy--might try that first--keeps the paperwork to a minimum.

Last edited by Learjetter : 08-15-20 at 11:21 AM. Reason: price is at qaa.com not aircraft spruce...
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Unread 08-15-20, 11:21 AM
mshac's Avatar
mshac mshac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Texas
Posts: 763
mshac is on a distinguished road
My understanding is that Cessna Pilots Assoc. has a copy of the 337 paperwork that was approved for the regulator upgrade. You may have to join to get it though.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Unread 08-28-20, 11:46 AM
frank.oconnor19 frank.oconnor19 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: KAKH
Posts: 91
frank.oconnor19 is on a distinguished road
Has anyone installed these Plane-Power R1224 regulators and removed the diode laden 1960's designed board. If so what paperwork is required and where can I source it? I am a member at CPA and cannot locate any "337 Paperwork" there, Hard to search 337 as our plane keeps coming up too.

In either case I have been chasing ghosts and want to upgrade power system, seems to me that the removal of the old systems and replacement with up to date solid state design makes sense. Just need to stay legal...

Thoughts...Help...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Unread 08-28-20, 01:08 PM
mshac's Avatar
mshac mshac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Texas
Posts: 763
mshac is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by frank.oconnor19 View Post
Has anyone installed these Plane-Power R1224 regulators and removed the diode laden 1960's designed board. If so what paperwork is required and where can I source it? I am a member at CPA and cannot locate any "337 Paperwork" there, Hard to search 337 as our plane keeps coming up too.

In either case I have been chasing ghosts and want to upgrade power system, seems to me that the removal of the old systems and replacement with up to date solid state design makes sense. Just need to stay legal...

Thoughts...Help...
You can't really get rid of the 1960's "diode laden" board, because it runs the idiot lights on the panel. What you CAN do is replace the regulators with true paralleling regulators that have wire(s) running between them to balance the load. The Cessna 400 series regulators have one wire that runs between them. These Plane-Power units appear to have two - look at the "Dual Alternator Only" inputs on it. There is a + and a - terminal.

The Plane-Power units are already STC'ed, so no 337 paperwork required. That is a plus*.

The wires from the original regulators are re-connected to the new regulators, so the install is very straightforward. The regulator mounting holes for the firewall are different, so most will fabricate a mounting plate out of aluminum to adapt. YMMV.

*EDIT - On further review, it appears a 337 form may still be required for the Plane Power regulators. My understanding now is that they would have to be "FAA-PMA" to NOT require a 337 form. Since they are only "STC", they DO require a 337, which requires a cooperative FSDO.

Last edited by mshac : 08-30-20 at 02:10 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Unread 08-28-20, 01:40 PM
frank.oconnor19 frank.oconnor19 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: KAKH
Posts: 91
frank.oconnor19 is on a distinguished road
So these do not eliminate any of the other systems, just the regulators?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Unread 08-28-20, 01:44 PM
mshac's Avatar
mshac mshac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Texas
Posts: 763
mshac is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by frank.oconnor19 View Post
So these do not eliminate any of the other systems, just the regulators?
They don't eliminate the regulators, they replace them with better ones.

But yes, the rest of the system is unchanged. Dash warning lights still operate, no change to POH, etc.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Unread 08-30-20, 12:33 AM
DrDave DrDave is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle
Posts: 115
DrDave is on a distinguished road
Here is one of the causes of ongoing problems.

"The wires from the original regulators are re-connected to the new regulators..."

Many times old problems are just reconnected to new batteries, regulators, and alternators.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Unread 08-30-20, 02:07 PM
mshac's Avatar
mshac mshac is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: North Texas
Posts: 763
mshac is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrDave View Post
Here is one of the causes of ongoing problems.

"The wires from the original regulators are re-connected to the new regulators..."

Many times old problems are just reconnected to new batteries, regulators, and alternators.

Dave
Very true, which is why I bought a couple of 400-series regulators to do the CPA upgrade to a true paralleling, load-sharing charging system!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Unread 08-30-20, 02:58 PM
Learjetter's Avatar
Learjetter Learjetter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: KOKC
Posts: 262
Learjetter is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by mshac View Post
They don't eliminate the regulators, they replace them with better ones.

But yes, the rest of the system is unchanged. Dash warning lights still operate, no change to POH, etc.
I’m currently in a tech discussion over email with plane power folks on this very issue. The instructions say all the original circuit gadgetry is removed when R1224s go in. That includes the ALT restart circuit. Ultimately, new POH procedures are needed via supplement.

The R1224 appears on certain PMA paperwork, but no STC is published for the 337 type A6CE.

I’m also chasing ghosts and will be rebuilding the original circuit board And diodes this week.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Unread 08-30-20, 03:26 PM
Learjetter's Avatar
Learjetter Learjetter is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: KOKC
Posts: 262
Learjetter is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by mshac View Post
Very true, which is why I bought a couple of 400-series regulators to do the CPA upgrade to a true paralleling, load-sharing charging system!
I’ve been searching Cessna.org for more info on this “CPA upgrade”. Haven’t found a thing resembling official documentation. Can you please post the STC Or a Form337reference? Or directions to the place it resides? Much obliged for any words...
Reply With Quote
Reply



Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:50 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.