I figure I'll throw this out there 'cause I'm frustrated. Doing my checks a few weeks ago and I noticed my ampmeter was not acting right. It was basically following the throttle wherever it went. Put a voltmeter on it and it was throwing 18 volts or so.

Anyway, I started throwing new parts at it as per my mechanics recomendation. New voltage regulator, and then a new alternator. Nothings changed. I hate electricity.

By the way, I'm in a Murphy Rebel with an O-320. Got a new battery recently, don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Hate to see the best weather of the year go by with my plane on the ground.

Thanks for any advice,

Brad

Brad,
I hate to say this but is sure sounds like the regulator. I know you already replaced it but I had a similar problem once and the new regulator was bad also. Double check the wires that go to field etc. Something may be grounded/shorting to cause the regulator to read incorrectly. If I remember correctly it should be putting out roughly 13.8 volts (?). Also try and check that new battery. I think over the years I have experience a BAD new part with nearly every item on an engine that deals with the electrical system.

I know what you mean by hating electricity....I worked as an electronics tech building test computers for FA-18's....you can spend many hours trying to chase down a problem. Needless to say I no longer do that work and I can actually smile nowdays. LOL
WW

I'll second what WWhunter said. If the voltage is following the rpm, it's got to be the regulator.

If you hate electricity so much why not remove it completely? Would give you 50 to 75lbs more useful load.

Phil

Bear_Builder wrote:I'll second what WWhunter said. If the voltage is following the rpm, it's got to be the regulator.

If you hate electricity so much why not remove it completely? Would give you 50 to 75lbs more useful load.

Phil

Cause hand propen sucks....right Brad. Are the blisters gone from your fingers yet? haha

I'll second what others have said and add, make sure all connections are making good contact especially grounds.

Rob

(Most) mechanical regulators have an adjusting screw, you can dial the voltage up or down. Maybe it's cranked all the way in? Pop the reg cover off & scope it out. If it's an elctronic/solid state regulator, I'm clueless.
Most electrical problems that I've encountered seem to be caused by loose &/or broken wires (usually at a connector), or an old battery.
Good luck with it.

Eric

Grounds are usually the problem for me.
My alt. failed to wide open on my 210. It was like lightning went through it. Fried most of the electronics, then complete electrical failure. Good thing you can pump the gear down! You don't want to know what the fuel gauges etc. cost.
Please leave the avionics off until after you get it fixed.
On mine, I think the voltage regulator went first, followed by the alternator. Yes, there is supposed to be overvoltage protection, supposed to be anyway.

ran into this before. could be a grounded field wire. if you can disconnect both ends and still get a ground tone run a new wire. i went through 3 regulators doing this once cuz the boss cant read an ohm meter

Would need to know type of alternator and reg to be sure. A battery can cause high voltage but it has to be so bad that it would never start you. Most likey is a short to ground on the regulating connection to the alternator, or no ground to the regulator. If it is the "Ford type: autolite, the Regulator MUST be grounded or you will blow it!