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Vans RV Discussion >> RV Related Discussion >> Alternators
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Message started by Sandy_Macfarlane on 24.09.2013 at 23:57:55

Title: Alternators
Post by Sandy_Macfarlane on 24.09.2013 at 23:57:55

We have today had an alternator failure in our (new to us) RV10. Previously our RV8 group had 2 alternator failures. All would appear to be the stock Vans part ,the Plane Power AL12 E160B

So 3 failures in 2 seperate installations? Are we just unlucky?

Regards

Sandy

Title: Re: Alternators
Post by Mike Newall on 25.09.2013 at 11:24:32

I would check the other parts because Vans didn't supply Plane Power alternators - they were automotive ones which are prone to failure.

If the current one is a Plane Power one, I would be on to them straight away as they do pride themselves in customer service.

I have a 60A Plane Power alternator on the shelf if you are stuck.

Mike

07802 977505

Title: Re: Alternators
Post by Andy Hill on 25.09.2013 at 11:35:08

Hi Mike
Quote:

I would check the other parts because Vans didn't supply Plane Power alternators - they were automotive ones which are prone to failure

Vans have supplied the PP one since at least 2006/7 since we bought ours from them - they marketed it as the "Deluxe" Alternator.

As you say, PP Cust Service is good. I am in an offline discussion with Sandy suggesting there might be other issues at play here :o

ATB
Andy

Title: Re: Alternators
Post by John Michie on 25.09.2013 at 12:10:35

as an aside, automotive alternators fail for a number of reasons:-

they are in a much hotter environment next to the exhausts than in a car. The internal electroncs don't like heat
most rotate in the wrong direction so have the cooling fan removed, actually the all have the fan removed
a cooling blast tube to the outside isn't enough, I've had to mould a bowl for the back to get the air through the alt as designed
they rotate too fast which can cause bearing failure, although you can put a larger pulley on if space permits.

John

Title: Re: Alternators
Post by Mike Newall on 26.09.2013 at 22:04:43

All sorted.

Aeroplane back in the air.

These Forums work...... ;D

Title: Re: Alternators
Post by Sandy_Macfarlane on 02.03.2014 at 14:57:48

A very tardy update on the alternator issues.

On inspection it transpired that our RV10 alternator was not as described in the POH but actually a Nissan automotive product.

Mike Newall came to the rescue and sent us his Plane power alternator on an overnight delivery. So within 2 days we were flying again. His assistance was invaluable.

Also on further investigation of the RV8 alternator issues it appears that there were some diodes missing from the switches so perhaps my initial conclusion that we had experienced multiple Plane Power related alternator issues were completely unfounded.