Having read more than my fair share of alternator failures in particular PPower such as the one installed in my RV-10, I decided to invest in a back up solution.
https://monkworkz.com/?utm_source=kitplanes_magazine&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mz-30l
Other than reading and hearing of alternator failures, I have no reason to suspect imminent failure of any part of my electrical system. Nevertheless, I wanted to be pro active and prevent being stuck at an airport away from home such as a recent report of a hapless fellow pilot who was bogged down in Redding due to an alternator failure.
Installation: Straight forward, or so I thought....
You need a vacuum pump adapter for any engine driven alternator, be that Monkworkz or other choices.
When I ordered my engine, I dropped the vacuum drive adapter and this is where my installation progress stopped. Vacuum drive adapters are available on ebay along with a mix and (mix ups) of gears that go along with it. The adapter for a 540 and a 360 appear to be identical, albeit with different part numbers. The adapter and gear for the 540 are a touch longer than those for the 360. Ebay sellers will assure that either will fit in both engines. Well, not for me.
The adapter I chose is sold by B&C, they have one for a 360 and one for a 540.
The drive gear was out of stock everywhere and finding it involved multiple phone calls and waiting days for call backs. A salvage yard in Kansas finally came through with an "as removed" drive gear in excellent condition.
You also need longer studs to install a vacuum adapter, those are available for $25 a piece. There is a whole story about installing accessory studs, finding torque values, which side goes into the case, etc.
Up and running:
With all the parts installed I finally got a chance to test the new source of electrons. At this time, the unit is configured to be used as an alternate back up
generator by means of a switch, normally off and to be turned on in case of main alternator failure. Simple enough, the mini generator provides plenty of power to keep my panel lit up and battery recharged. In normal cruise I see about 26 amps drawn, almost at the limit of the Monkworkz's 30 amp maximum output. Turning the "old " strobe lights off reduces the draw to 19 amps. So far so good and only time will tell which of the two units will prove its longevity.
https://monkworkz.com/?utm_source=kitplanes_magazine&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=mz-30l
Other than reading and hearing of alternator failures, I have no reason to suspect imminent failure of any part of my electrical system. Nevertheless, I wanted to be pro active and prevent being stuck at an airport away from home such as a recent report of a hapless fellow pilot who was bogged down in Redding due to an alternator failure.
Installation: Straight forward, or so I thought....
You need a vacuum pump adapter for any engine driven alternator, be that Monkworkz or other choices.
When I ordered my engine, I dropped the vacuum drive adapter and this is where my installation progress stopped. Vacuum drive adapters are available on ebay along with a mix and (mix ups) of gears that go along with it. The adapter for a 540 and a 360 appear to be identical, albeit with different part numbers. The adapter and gear for the 540 are a touch longer than those for the 360. Ebay sellers will assure that either will fit in both engines. Well, not for me.
The adapter I chose is sold by B&C, they have one for a 360 and one for a 540.
The drive gear was out of stock everywhere and finding it involved multiple phone calls and waiting days for call backs. A salvage yard in Kansas finally came through with an "as removed" drive gear in excellent condition.
You also need longer studs to install a vacuum adapter, those are available for $25 a piece. There is a whole story about installing accessory studs, finding torque values, which side goes into the case, etc.
Up and running:
With all the parts installed I finally got a chance to test the new source of electrons. At this time, the unit is configured to be used as an alternate back up
generator by means of a switch, normally off and to be turned on in case of main alternator failure. Simple enough, the mini generator provides plenty of power to keep my panel lit up and battery recharged. In normal cruise I see about 26 amps drawn, almost at the limit of the Monkworkz's 30 amp maximum output. Turning the "old " strobe lights off reduces the draw to 19 amps. So far so good and only time will tell which of the two units will prove its longevity.
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