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
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On 6/12/05, David Joyce <davidjoyce@doctors.org.uk> wrote:
>
> 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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