Tim, I had similar problems with my rectifierlast year, completely cured by
replacing it, but you may find the message below of help. Afraid I was too
keen to get back flying to follow the diagnostic advice! Regards, David
Joyce, G-XSDJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "D Wysong" <hdwysong@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2005 3:03 AM
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Voltage Regulator Failure
>
> Hello David -
>
> I posted your issue on the Aeroelectric list to see what they'd say
> about it. The Rotax 914 regulator/rectifier has been discussed over
> there before, although I have yet to see much in the way of failure
> modes. The only recommendations I've seen are "keep it cool" and
> "don't load it over 12 Amps." Anyhow, here are Bob Nuckolls'
> comments:
>
> "The charging system could become intermittent either because
> of some condition inside the regulator/rectifier -OR- wiring
> external to the regulator that carries output power or control
> signals to the regulator.
>
> Sounds like it's consistent enough to instrument and go catch
> the problem during a test flight. I'd look at AC voltage into
> the regulator, DC voltage out of the regulator, control voltage(s)
> to the regulator and bus voltage in addition to what appears
> to be the battery ammeter.
>
> Observations taken on these readings during a 'brown out' will
> be important clues as to how one would proceed.
>
> Bob . . ."
>
> As a potential 914 user and someone that has been looking for a
> suitable replacement for the Ducati regulator/rectifier I'd certainly
> be interested in your findings.
>
> Happy hunting!
>
> D Wysong
>
> -----------------------------------
> On 6/12/05, David Joyce <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk> wrote:
<davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk>
> >
> > Just back from a great Europa Baltics trip, splendidly organised by Bob
> > Harrison & Ivor Phillips, and accompanied by challenging weather, and a
> > problem of intermittent charge, developing on the last leg home. The
ammeter
> > would show a discharge related to however many items I had switched on,
for
> > anything up to 40 mins and then have a spell of rapid recharging,
gradually
> > coming back to zero, suggesting a fully recharged battery. Incidentally
the
> > 40 min bit coincided with the Channel crossing , which with a 914 made
us
> > sit up and take notice!
> > I remember reading accounts of failing regulators previously
but
> > paid less attention than I should have done! Is this intermittent
failure
> > to charge the sort of symptom to be expected?
> > Happy landings, David Joyce, G-XSDJ
> >
> >
>
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