Mailing List flyrotary@lancaironline.net Message #12618
From: Russell Duffy <13brv3@bellsouth.net>
Subject: RE: [FlyRotary] EWP
Date: Sat, 6 Nov 2004 10:11:41 -0600
To: 'Rotary motors in aircraft' <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Message

Did anybody figure out by how much the engine run time will be shortened after an alternator failure. Now we know the engine will run approx. 1 hour before it quits. The electric water pump will shorten this time a lot I think.
Bulent

 
This will of course depend on your battery situation (how many, what size), and what else you need to run.  I believe the Davies Craig EWP only pulls a few amps when running (added to my note to check this), so it will shorten the time, but not by enough to keep me from using one.  
 
The unfortunately point for my setup is that the alternator and wp share a single belt.  If I lose the alternator in flight, I have to assume that the most likely cause is a broken or thrown belt, which means my mechanical pump is also offline.  Now, I'm trying to save electricity to stretch my battery only range, but I don't dare turn off the EWP because I'll almost instantly overheat if the mechanical pump isn't running.  Fortunately, a 200 mph plane can get to an airport pretty quickly, with the help of the nearest function on the GPS.  
 
Cheers,
Rusty
 

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