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#1
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Alternator swap, Pitts S-1
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 |
#2
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"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 |
#3
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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 |
#4
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yes, the B&C SD-8 alternator works well.
http://www.bandcspecialty.com/cgi-bi....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 |
#5
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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-bi....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 |
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