This seems to indicate that tracking down these pesky electrons is tricky business (especially for a novice like me). Here is what I know (or rather what I think I know).
I have a master switch that connects the battery to the rest of the system (passenger side aft of the seat). I have a switch on my panel that turns the alternator on (or so it is labeled). In the past, I would turn on this alternator switch after the master switch was on and after the engine was running. I looked at the voltage meter and would be content to see the needle deflect to the positive side making me believe that the alternator was providing a charge to the battery. The radio failure and the battery failure are coupled in time if not in causation (if that is a word). With the battery installed that has a history of problems, I would get no indication of charging on the voltage meter when I turned on the alternator switch. I swapped the "good" battery back into the system after having fully charged it with a trickle charger at home. The engine ticked over easily and seem to be very happy. However when I turned on the alternator switch, I still got no indication of charging on the voltage meter. That may just mean that the battery could not accept a charge because it was already charged, or it may mean that I have a voltage regulator or alternator problem. Since my extended checkride is Sunday, I plan to fly the Coupe on Saturday. If the radio problem comes back with a fully charged battery, I will just use a handheld radio for my test. If it appears that I am not recharging the battery in flight, then I will need to determine the cause but will probably recharge the battery externally just to get me through my checkride. I probably need better instrumentation on my panel to understand when I have a battery or alternator failure and know which is which. I noticed a couple of options listed in Aircraft Spruce. Thanks for all of your comments. This discussion has expanded my understanding considerably. Frank Nelson N51DV - 415C TOA --- In [email protected], "John Cooper" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >> OK, all, I've hung it out there. Take your fair pot-shots and shoot me > down if I am wrong. > > > > Dave is right on the money. It only takes a couple of volts to excite the > alternator. (Generators are self exciting due to the residual magnetism in > the show poles, hence the issue of "flashing" the generator.). My comment > (directly) to Percy was that if there was enough power to run the radio > there was enough to excite the alternator. > > > > Ercoupes originally all had master switches rather than relays that don't > rely on battery power to operate. As long as this is still the case, the > battery should charge. Whether it accepts the charge is another issue. If > the plane has been modified with a master relay then the relay must somehow > get pulled before anything (including the radios) will function. Once it is > pulled the charging system should keep the system operating. > > > > John Cooper > > Skyport Services > > 4996 Delaware Tnpk > > Rensselaerville, NY 12147 > > 518 797-3064 > > www.skyportservices.net > > _____ >
