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Charging Troubles
Our group-owned PA22 Tri-Pacer dynamo doesn't cut-in until about 1400 rpm, which surprised me when I first flew it. However the other group members tell me that's normal. It also has a tendency to go up to about 16 Volts at odd times, which also surprised me, and sounded a bit on the high side. Just recently another member had the low volt light come on during a flight, and the system was 'looked at'. Whether much more was done than looking I'm not sure, but when I flew it the other day on a short local flight, it came on again at cruising rpm (around 2300) but went out again when I put in a short climb at 2500, and stayed out for the rest of the flight until the revs dropped again on landing.
I'm a fairly low-hours pilot, but have a long experience with old VWs with dynamos and I suspect the voltage regulator is getting tired. Are there any specific checks that could be done to save replacing things that may not be the problem?
If it's the regulator, where are these available from now? The aircraft is a 1953 model PA22-135 but it's had a newly rebuilt 150hp engine fitted fairly recently. I don't know if the ancillaries were changed, but I suspect not. It's quite possible it may not still have the originals though.
Thanks for any help and reassurance.
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Get someone that KNOWS generators to look at it.
The Regulator may just need PROPER adjustment.
16 volts is HIGH.
1400 to cut in in about right.
It is NOT an Alternator as in newer systems.
One often overlooked area on PA22's is the Master Switch.
It is a Double Pole switch .
In addition to turning on the battery it also does likewise for the Generator.
The Regulator controls the Generator via "Field Current" & this has to pass through the Generator
Portion of the Master Switch.
Any corrosion or resistance on these switch contacts will give erratic Generator output.
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Thanks P.o.P. The master switch is a toggle switch and not too accessible, but there could be a problem with corrosion I guess.
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You could disconnect the battery & check with an Ohmmeter.
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I had exactly the same symptoms. 1953 PA-22/20 135. It would not cut in until about 1400 or 1500 then voltage would follow RPM until it hit 16 or so volts at full power. Had to turn on the landing light to keep the voltage down and not fry the radios. Tried adjusting the regulator but had no luck.
Replaced with Kelly Aerospace VR300-14-20. Now it works perfectly. Cuts in about 1100 then stable voltage throughout RPM range. Only cost about $130. Cheap repair compared to fried radios.
Good luck. 16 volts is too much!
Don
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16 Volts will also cause the batttery to gas, over-heat and blow battery acid on your fabric belly.
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Thanks for all your helpful advice. The regulator has been adjusted so hopefully that will do the trick.
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Voltage Regulator
I would like to get a new voltage regulator for my plane. I found the below list in another thread of compatable part numbers.
It doesn't seem like the Kelly or the Zeftronics are approved for the PA-22. Anyone know the details of this?
Also, if this were an "Experimental Tripacer", Does anybody know the NAPA part number equivalent to the original mechanical unit?
Thanks for any help.
From other thread
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Voltage Regulators- 20 amp
Kelly Aerospace
VR300-14-20
Delco Remy
1118736
1118904
1119226
Zeftronics
G1200N
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this is a cut from a prior thread "Charging Woes" on this site 07/2011, started by a owner with generator regulator problems, this is from post # 52, a solid state replacement for the Delco generators listed available from Air Spruce. Bob 52 Tri Pacer
Post # 52
The picture you posted is a Delco-Remy 1118736 20 amp voltage regulator for a 20 amp generator.
Here is a solid state replacement.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...tronicsreg.php
Halfway down the page is the solid state replacement for your Delco Remy 1118736 voltage regulator.
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