kontiki wrote:
Has anyone replaced their Delco Remy voltage regulator (the old
mechanical type for a 50 amp generator) with a new solid state
type by Zeftronics? CHief aircraft sells them, just wondering
what anyone's experience was.

General statement: The Zeftronics unit is more accurate and more
reliable... and cheaper. In general, replacing the old unit (rather
than repair) makes a lot of sense.

Specific: However, some aircraft will experience electrical noise
problems in the avionics after replacement. The digital Zeftronics
puts out continuous broadband RF (as opposed to the old mechanical
units that put out various pops and clicks at random times). A lot of
older Piper's especially tend to have the wiring for the VR (up under
the dash) bundled with antenna wires and power lines to the avionics.
The result is a "frying bacon" sound on the ADF on the lower bands -
especially when tuned to a weak NDB. [The needle will also probably
track somewhere well OFF the station.]

If you do install one and you have a split master, tune your ADF to a
weak low band station. Listen to the noise and observe the needle.
Now turn off the alternator/generator. Did the needle move? The noise
change? If so, you probably either have to go back to the old style
unit, or get used to flying NDB approaches in IFR with the alternator
switch off. G