Alternator swap, Pitts S-1

[SHAWN DOYLE]

Hello!

I've got an expensive opportunity on the go. My electrical generation
system failed in the Pitts a couple of weeks ago. Had to get jump started
at Le Touquet to come back across the Channel, then again at Lydd to get
home. Not fun, I can tell you, but folks were immensely helpful at both
locations.

Having no luck troubleshooting the problem myself, I took off the
alternator, voltage regulator, and overvoltage controller and sent them for
testing. After putting out the fire my overvoltage sensor started on his
test rig, he was able to confirm that all three components either were junk
or nearly so. So, here's my opportunity. I can replace the existing
components like-for-like for around £560. OR I can install the simpler,
engine-gear-driven BNC lightweight alternator.

My question is, does anyone out there have experience with the BNC
alternator and also if anyone has any experience doing the conversion and
installation. I don't have much in the way of mechanical skills other than
being able to bolt stuff on and take stuff off.

Comments?

Cheers,
Shawn
Pitts S-1D, G-BKVP

[John Bishop]

"SHAWN DOYLE" > wrote in message
k...
> Hello!
>
> I've got an expensive opportunity on the go. My electrical generation
> system failed in the Pitts a couple of weeks ago. Had to get jump started
> at Le Touquet to come back across the Channel, then again at Lydd to get
> home. Not fun, I can tell you, but folks were immensely helpful at both
> locations.
>
> Having no luck troubleshooting the problem myself, I took off the
> alternator, voltage regulator, and overvoltage controller and sent them
for
> testing. After putting out the fire my overvoltage sensor started on his
> test rig, he was able to confirm that all three components either were
junk
> or nearly so. So, here's my opportunity. I can replace the existing
> components like-for-like for around £560. OR I can install the simpler,
> engine-gear-driven BNC lightweight alternator.
>
> My question is, does anyone out there have experience with the BNC
> alternator and also if anyone has any experience doing the conversion and
> installation. I don't have much in the way of mechanical skills other
than
> being able to bolt stuff on and take stuff off.
>
> Comments?
>
> Cheers,
> Shawn
> Pitts S-1D, G-BKVP
>
>
Know how you feel, my Warrior's alternator failed mid channel on the way to
Le Touquet a few years ago. Easter Friday and no mechanics! They very
helpfully got a battery and jump leads, got me started, and I nursed it back
home on minimal electrical power.

John

[ShawnD2112]

Yep, it's a bit disconcerting flying across the channel knowing your
battery's only putting out enough juice to transmit about 14 feet.
Actually, I didn't actually know that as my radio's always been crap, but it
wasn't too much of a threat as I was in formation with three other Pitts' at
the time. Flying home to Redhilll sans radio was a little trickier, though,
as I was on my own. Plane's been on the ground since and looks to be for a
little while longer while I get my electrical act together.

Glad to hear you got through it OK.

Cheers,
Shawn
"John Bishop" > wrote in message
...
>
> "SHAWN DOYLE" > wrote in message
> k...
>> Hello!
>>
>> I've got an expensive opportunity on the go. My electrical generation
>> system failed in the Pitts a couple of weeks ago. Had to get jump
>> started
>> at Le Touquet to come back across the Channel, then again at Lydd to get
>> home. Not fun, I can tell you, but folks were immensely helpful at both
>> locations.
>>
>> Having no luck troubleshooting the problem myself, I took off the
>> alternator, voltage regulator, and overvoltage controller and sent them
> for
>> testing. After putting out the fire my overvoltage sensor started on his
>> test rig, he was able to confirm that all three components either were
> junk
>> or nearly so. So, here's my opportunity. I can replace the existing
>> components like-for-like for around £560. OR I can install the simpler,
>> engine-gear-driven BNC lightweight alternator.
>>
>> My question is, does anyone out there have experience with the BNC
>> alternator and also if anyone has any experience doing the conversion and
>> installation. I don't have much in the way of mechanical skills other
> than
>> being able to bolt stuff on and take stuff off.
>>
>> Comments?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Shawn
>> Pitts S-1D, G-BKVP
>>
>>
> Know how you feel, my Warrior's alternator failed mid channel on the way
> to
> Le Touquet a few years ago. Easter Friday and no mechanics! They very
> helpfully got a battery and jump leads, got me started, and I nursed it
> back
> home on minimal electrical power.
>
> John
>
>

[Dave Pilkington]

yes, the B&C SD-8 alternator works well.
http://www.bandcspecialty.com/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?17X358218

We fitted it to our Laser many years ago.

-gear-driven BNC lightweight alternator.
> >>
> >> My question is, does anyone out there have experience with the BNC
> >> alternator and also if anyone has any experience doing the conversion and
> >> installation. I don't have much in the way of mechanical skills other
> than
> >> being able to bolt stuff on and take stuff off.
> >>
> >> Comments?
> >>
> >> Cheers,
> >> Shawn
> >> Pitts S-1D, G-BKVP

[ShawnD2112]

Dave,
Thanks for that and for the link. Next thing is to find out if I have the
drive gear installed or not!

Cheers,
Shawn
"Dave Pilkington" > wrote in message
om...
> yes, the B&C SD-8 alternator works well.
> http://www.bandcspecialty.com/cgi-bin/ez-catalog/cat_display.cgi?17X358218
>
> We fitted it to our Laser many years ago.
>
> -gear-driven BNC lightweight alternator.
>> >>
>> >> My question is, does anyone out there have experience with the BNC
>> >> alternator and also if anyone has any experience doing the conversion
>> >> and
>> >> installation. I don't have much in the way of mechanical skills other
>> than
>> >> being able to bolt stuff on and take stuff off.
>> >>
>> >> Comments?
>> >>
>> >> Cheers,
>> >> Shawn
>> >> Pitts S-1D, G-BKVP