 |
Matronics Email Lists
Web Forum Interface to the Matronics Email Lists
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Randy C-GRPY
Joined: 21 Apr 2018
Posts: 26
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 14, 2020 6:27 pm Post subject: Diagnosing generator problems |
 |
|
I have a friend with a 1946 Swift that is having generator issues. It isn’t charging the battery. Are there some easy checks that can be done to try and narrow down the search for the issue ie: voltage regulator vs generator etc?
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Randy
Edit: It is Delco Remy if that helps.
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Beauvais
Guest
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:05 am Post subject: Diagnosing generator problems |
|
|
At 09:27 PM 3/14/2020, you wrote:
| Quote: | --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Randy C-GRPY" <rpulis(at)shaw.ca>
I have a friend with a 1946 Swift that is having generator issues. It isn’t charging the battery. Are there some easy checks that can be done to try and narrow down the search for the issue ie: voltage regulator vs generator etc?
Any feedback would be appreciated. |
How long has it been that the generator was
functioning normally? If it has been idle
for an extended period of time, the generator
may have lost its residual magnetism which
will require 'flashing' to recover.
If the generator has been working and simply
died, then peek at the brushes. Are they recessed
deep in their holders . . . half way down or
more? Probably worn out. If brush length isn't
a obvious possibility, then it gets more
complicated.
Generators are not difficult to troubleshoot
but it takes some tools, and knowledge of the
generator style (F terminal pull up to
bus or down to ground for full output).
The process requires that the engine be
running during certain measurements.
It can be done without pulling parts
but it's not a trivial exercise. One
of the easiest tests is to simply substitute
a known good regulator first. But pulling
both devices off for bench tests as a
working pair is the definitive process.
I could ask you for voltage measurements
while the engine is running and the system
turned ON . . . but without knowing more
details on the system's inner-workings,
external measurements would be meaningless.
There are tools that would let us deduce
system details and ultimately diagnose
the failure but explaining their
acquisition and use here on the List
is problematic. Sorry I can't be more
helpful.
Bob . . .
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Randy C-GRPY
Joined: 21 Apr 2018
Posts: 26
|
| Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:25 am Post subject: Re: Diagnosing generator problems |
|
|
| nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect wrote: | At 09:27 PM 3/14/2020, you wrote:
| Quote: | --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Randy C-GRPY" <rpulis>
I have a friend with a 1946 Swift that is having generator issues. It isn’t charging the battery. Are there some easy checks that can be done to try and narrow down the search for the issue ie: voltage regulator vs generator etc?
Any feedback would be appreciated. |
How long has it been that the generator was
functioning normally? If it has been idle
for an extended period of time, the generator
may have lost its residual magnetism which
will require 'flashing' to recover.
If the generator has been working and simply
died, then peek at the brushes. Are they recessed
deep in their holders . . . half way down or
more? Probably worn out. If brush length isn't
a obvious possibility, then it gets more
complicated.
Generators are not difficult to troubleshoot
but it takes some tools, and knowledge of the
generator style (F terminal pull up to
bus or down to ground for full output).
The process requires that the engine be
running during certain measurements.
It can be done without pulling parts
but it's not a trivial exercise. One
of the easiest tests is to simply substitute
a known good regulator first. But pulling
both devices off for bench tests as a
working pair is the definitive process.
I could ask you for voltage measurements
while the engine is running and the system
turned ON . . . but without knowing more
details on the system's inner-workings,
external measurements would be meaningless.
There are tools that would let us deduce
system details and ultimately diagnose
the failure but explaining their
acquisition and use here on the List
is problematic. Sorry I can't be more
helpful.
Bob . . . |
Thanks Bob.
The plane has been flying and up until recently all was well. Failure was sudden. There are about 100 hrs on this particular unit. The brushes “looked fine”.
From your response I’m getting that it’s going to take somebody with experience to troubleshoot effectively. I will pass that on.
Regards
Randy
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Randy C-GRPY
Joined: 21 Apr 2018
Posts: 26
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:37 am Post subject: Re: Diagnosing generator problems |
|
|
Thank you Bob.
The owner of the airplane was able to follow your advice and narrow the problem to the voltage regulator. All is well now with a new part installled.
Regards
Randy
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest
|
| Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 12:05 pm Post subject: Diagnosing generator problems |
|
|
At 12:37 PM 3/19/2020, you wrote:
| Quote: | --> AeroElectric-List message posted by: "Randy C-GRPY" <rpulis(at)shaw.ca>
Thank you Bob.
The owner of the airplane was able to follow your advice and narrow the problem to the voltage regulator. All is well now with a new part installled.
Regards
Randy |
I am pleased that he was able to find a
suitable regulator.
Fly comfortably . . .
Bob . . .
| | - The Matronics AeroElectric-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List |
|
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You can download files in this forum
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group
|
Get Email Distribution Too!
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
