Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 09:20:24 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-1249298@logan.com>
From: <danobrien@cox.net>
Subject: Vacuum v. all electric -- Thanks
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I wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful responses to my question about vacuum v. all electric panels.  I counted 21 responses (on and off line), all very helpful.  

For the record, here's a brief summary of what the 21 responders are doing.  I grouped the responses into five categories:

1. Standard System (vacuum, old electric without essential bus architecture, no autopilot, no backups).

2. Standard Plus (vacuum, electric, plus something extra, like precise flight, an autopilot, essential bus architecture, special warning indicators, an extra battery, an electric AI, etc.  There were a lot of configurations here.) 

3. All Electric, 1 Alternator & 1 Battery.

4. All Electric, 2 Alternators & 1 Battery.

5. All Electric, 2 Alternators & 2 Batteries.

The responses were as follows:

1. Standard System: None
2. Standard Plus: 9
3. All Electric, 1 Alt & 1 Bat: None
4. All Electric, 2 Alts & 1 Bat: 3
5. All Electric, 2 Alts & 2 Bats: 9

Three of those that chose Standard Plus said they would go all electric with options 4 or 5 if they had it to do over.  However, several of the Standard Plus respondents are flying and are very happy with their systems.  The choice between some variant of 2 versus 4 or 5 seems to be what one is comfortable with.

I am leaning toward option 5, I guess because I feel more confident in being able to diagnose and address alternator failure quickly.  The one response that gave me pause is the possibility of a lightning strike or electrical fire that zaps the entire electrical system.  Any thoughts?