Plane Power Alternator Conversion for singles

[Michael Bryant]

Has anyone had their single converted from a generator to a Plane Power alternator? Our old 35A generator is having issues keeping up with mods we have and are making.

About how many hours were involved for the conversion? About how much did it run? Did you need to replace the v-belt (ours was just replaced in October)?

Thanks,

Michael

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

Hi Michael,

I am just completing the mod on a PA-24-180. This is the first one I have done so a little learning curve. Wiring is the biggest part of the job. The bracket bolts up nicely and the alternator fits well where the generator was without having to modify the forward baffles. I was able to use the existing belt...barely. If it was a quarter inch shorter, I would have not been able to. Overall the kit is of high quality and the components required no rework for instalation. This was part of a much larger job so I don't have an exact number for install hours, but I would say it is probably in the vacinity of 12+ man hours all told with cowl removal reinstall as well as new wire runs and breaker/switch and warning light install and paperwork.

-Zach

[Michael Bryant]

Thanks Zach!

Michael

[Michael Bryant]

One other question popped into my head Zach.

Was the regulator a drop-in replacement (meaning no mod to the firewall), or did it require installation of riv-nuts or a nut plate to secure it?

Thanks again,

Michael

[Zach Grant L1011jock]

The regulator has two holes that lined up, one rivnut was required. The wiring of the system is a little tricky until you skull it our with the original wiring diagrams. You have to make the main feed a continuous wire to the alternator breaker. The field wire runs directly from the regulator to the alternator, and an aux wire is run from the alternator to the regulator. That part is easy. When wiring up the master switch, since the Comanche has a true master switch, the old "field" wire is not used and can be tied back or removed. A jumper needs to run from one hot pole to the other of the master switch (original wiring for the generator had this side of the switch powered directly from and aux line from the generator, alternator needs battery power to set field), and then the switched side of the second pole gets wired to the field breaker/field switch (neither are supplied with the kit...also need about 35' of 18 ga wire) and then to the "activate" position on the regulator (this step is omitted in the rather generic wiring and installation instructions). The "Alt Inop" warning lamp is also added and is wired to the hot side of the main bus in the cockpit and has a switched ground at the regulator. Hope this helps. This was my first Plane Power instal, and all told went pretty well.

-Zach

[Michael Bryant]

Many thanks for that info. It looks like we will be tackling the conversion later this month or early next.

Michael