drgwentzel
Pre-takeoff checklist
Flyers,
We seem to now have an intermittent electrical problem on our 71 Cardinal RG. (related to our past transponder problem? Hmmm. Maybe) Every once in a while the alternator will go off-line and we will get a discharge on the amp meter. If not caught (no Hi-Lo Voltage Light) it will drain the battery pretty quick. What would do this? Voltage Regulator, Bad Alternator, Bad Battery (we have new battery in May '09).
I put a voltmeter on the bus and saw 14.6 volts on average with little load. I turned on all lights and pitot heat and still saw 14.5 volts, but then I turned on the avionics master and it went right to 11.9 to 12.3 volts. Clearly discharging the battery.
As an aside, the transmit lights on my radios and stuck mic light came on my audio panel at this time. That was a new one. Recycling the radios, avionic master and the master switches did not stop this. I cycled the PTT switches and still had transmit lights on. After engine shut down I went back and put the Master back on and the transmit lights returned to normal. Hmmm. But I digress. Back to the alternator...
Any thoughts? Weak alternator?
Gene Wentzel
We seem to now have an intermittent electrical problem on our 71 Cardinal RG. (related to our past transponder problem? Hmmm. Maybe) Every once in a while the alternator will go off-line and we will get a discharge on the amp meter. If not caught (no Hi-Lo Voltage Light) it will drain the battery pretty quick. What would do this? Voltage Regulator, Bad Alternator, Bad Battery (we have new battery in May '09).
I put a voltmeter on the bus and saw 14.6 volts on average with little load. I turned on all lights and pitot heat and still saw 14.5 volts, but then I turned on the avionics master and it went right to 11.9 to 12.3 volts. Clearly discharging the battery.
As an aside, the transmit lights on my radios and stuck mic light came on my audio panel at this time. That was a new one. Recycling the radios, avionic master and the master switches did not stop this. I cycled the PTT switches and still had transmit lights on. After engine shut down I went back and put the Master back on and the transmit lights returned to normal. Hmmm. But I digress. Back to the alternator...
Any thoughts? Weak alternator?
Gene Wentzel