litgourley22
Member
All - apologies for yet another alternator discussion but I'm having trouble piecing together all the knowledge on the other threads to fit my specific situation and I have a few questions. I'm hoping this can turn into a Plane Power to Denso "conversion" thread to for anyone as electrically dumb as me. I've tried to summarize all I've learned on the previous threads here, so please correct any errors you see.
I have a Plane Power AL12-EI60/B Alternator that failed. I've only partially taken it apart, but it makes a grinding noise so I suspect the bearings are toast. When looking at the prices of a "plug and play" Plane Power alternator, I was hard pressed to play $1300-1500 for a replacement when lots of you are running a Denso alternator that costs less than $200.
So I ordered a Denso-type alternator (WIlson 55 Amp alternator) from O'Reillys down the road. It's US made and came recommended from a buddy of mine. I do know there are other options like the ND Alternator for about $103 w/o shipping, in hindsight I could've saved some cash on that one. Anyway...
After careful examination of the differences I noted a few things
1) The Denso alternator has 2 prongs, and the alternator wire attached to my airplane is a 3 prong. See picture below with the regulator removed.
2) It's "upside down" - the alternator must be flipped 180* to be mounted on the existing mounts.
3) The old regulator has an extra wire (makes sense since it's got 3 prong connection)
Once I took the old and new regulators off, they're an exact match besides the additonal wire. and it SEEMS like i could just take the old PP regulator and attach it to the Denso alternator, but I'm not sure that's smart based on it being a used part with used brushes on a new alternator. This would alleviate my problem of having to change out the alternator wire which would be nice.
I'm tracking that if you need to switch to the 2 prong alternator wire, you may need the B&C Field Wire Kit. For the mounting you may need a B&C mounting kit. I saw some links in the other threads so I'll include them here so you don't have to go back and forth.
B&C Field Wire
B&C Boss Mounting Kit w/ Belt
B&C Case Mounting Kit w/ Belt
I have a few questions for you guys to hopefully clear up any confusion.
1) Can I and SHOULD I just take the PP Internal Regulator and put it on the new Denso Alternator, or would a better option be to buy the B&C Field Wire kit which will plug directly into the new alternator and regulator. I bought a pigtail connector from amazon that looks like it would work. See picture.
2) I've given no thought to doing an external regulator, I understand the internal regulator is plenty good enough but still hear that some of you have gone to the external regulator.
3) I'm concerned the pulley won't line up where the old alternator was mounted and that the new mounting may require a new longer belt (obviously not a big deal) and taking the old pulley off the PP alternator. Is that accurate?
4) What else am I missing for this conversion?
I attached a few photos for reference.
Again, I'm self-admittedly not smart on electrical stuff, especially when it comes to alternators, but I'm hoping to learn a little from this so any help, links or comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know what you guys think.
I have a Plane Power AL12-EI60/B Alternator that failed. I've only partially taken it apart, but it makes a grinding noise so I suspect the bearings are toast. When looking at the prices of a "plug and play" Plane Power alternator, I was hard pressed to play $1300-1500 for a replacement when lots of you are running a Denso alternator that costs less than $200.
So I ordered a Denso-type alternator (WIlson 55 Amp alternator) from O'Reillys down the road. It's US made and came recommended from a buddy of mine. I do know there are other options like the ND Alternator for about $103 w/o shipping, in hindsight I could've saved some cash on that one. Anyway...
After careful examination of the differences I noted a few things
1) The Denso alternator has 2 prongs, and the alternator wire attached to my airplane is a 3 prong. See picture below with the regulator removed.
2) It's "upside down" - the alternator must be flipped 180* to be mounted on the existing mounts.
3) The old regulator has an extra wire (makes sense since it's got 3 prong connection)
Once I took the old and new regulators off, they're an exact match besides the additonal wire. and it SEEMS like i could just take the old PP regulator and attach it to the Denso alternator, but I'm not sure that's smart based on it being a used part with used brushes on a new alternator. This would alleviate my problem of having to change out the alternator wire which would be nice.
I'm tracking that if you need to switch to the 2 prong alternator wire, you may need the B&C Field Wire Kit. For the mounting you may need a B&C mounting kit. I saw some links in the other threads so I'll include them here so you don't have to go back and forth.
B&C Field Wire
B&C Boss Mounting Kit w/ Belt
B&C Case Mounting Kit w/ Belt
I have a few questions for you guys to hopefully clear up any confusion.
1) Can I and SHOULD I just take the PP Internal Regulator and put it on the new Denso Alternator, or would a better option be to buy the B&C Field Wire kit which will plug directly into the new alternator and regulator. I bought a pigtail connector from amazon that looks like it would work. See picture.
2) I've given no thought to doing an external regulator, I understand the internal regulator is plenty good enough but still hear that some of you have gone to the external regulator.
3) I'm concerned the pulley won't line up where the old alternator was mounted and that the new mounting may require a new longer belt (obviously not a big deal) and taking the old pulley off the PP alternator. Is that accurate?
4) What else am I missing for this conversion?
I attached a few photos for reference.
Again, I'm self-admittedly not smart on electrical stuff, especially when it comes to alternators, but I'm hoping to learn a little from this so any help, links or comments are greatly appreciated. Let me know what you guys think.
Attachments
Last edited: