flyrotary@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

If a short term reading varied that much (14.2 - 14.6) I'd say that was unstable but not an alarming reading. I use 14.8 as a High alarm and 13.9 as a low alarm. 14.25 is my 'ideal' running point. The instability is the only thing out of the ordinary although I like the median reading to not go above 14.5V.

BTW, What WAS your usual reading? CHANGE is often the important clue.

Tracy

On Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 7:21 PM, David Leonard <wdleonard@gmail.com> wrote:

Today retuning from my flight my voltmeter started to complain "check voltage". The bus voltage was reading between 14.2 - 14.6 volts. Right after shut down the battery voltage was reading 13.3 volts.

Is this a sign of impending over voltage failure of the regulator?

I am using the stock 70 amp alternator. Do I need to replace it right away? Use an external regulator? Is it safe to watch it for another flight or two and see what it does? Is it possible that oil mist could have gummed things up a little and spraying some contact cleaner into the alternator might do the trick?

How much voltage is too much before I need to land right away?

Thanks all.

--
David Leonard

Turbo Rotary RV-6 N4VY
http://N4VY.RotaryRoster.net
http://RotaryRoster.net