Wondering if anyone has run the Plane Power lightweight alternator on their Continental or Lycoming. Always had the Ford or Hartzell brand and usually get no more than 500 hours outta them, the record is 700 hours. Plane power seems like a good alternative, 4 pounds lighter, and offer a 2 year warranty. The particular model that applies to my aircraft is the SAL12-70C. Looking for durability, lightweight is nice, but I just want something that is going to last.

Thanks

Been good to me, I have the 80 amp on a Lyc O-540. Just remember to replace the integrated control and brush unit at about 700 hours. Easy to do, a 10 minute job and $70 item with shipping.

I've had no problems at all with mine. Way better than the old generator, and lighter to boot.

Great thanks guys!

I'm on my third 12V 70amp plane power alternator over the past 4 years. The first one I had lasted 2.5 years before it spun an internal bearing in flight. The second one would intermittently and inconsistently drop the load. My mech spent 2+ hours trouble shooting it before we returned it under warranty. At first, they couldn't duplicate the problem and suggested I return it to service. Finally, they did an extended bench test at my suggestion and it dropped the load. I'm now on my third one going on 6 months of service with my fingers crossed. For reference, it is installed in a C185 with an 520 and isn't abused but for the occasionally botched landing due to my shortcomings . . .

Mine has been great on the IO-540 Lyc. 430 hrs in and it still looks brand new.

I have the 60A model because I don't have a huge amount of high draw lighting or anything like that.

Starting out, I had the over-voltage protection trip a couple of times for an unknown reason. I simply flicked the alternator off/on again and it kept on generating as normal, having successfully cleared whatever fault occurred.

I've got one, courtesy of Blackrock. Excellent alternator and hasn't shown a hiccup yet.

Really appreciate the reviews everyone. I pulled the trigger and got one on the way.

How about a report on the ease/or challenges with the install when you get it done. I'm looking to do the same.

Rich

CamTom12 wrote:I've got one, courtesy of Blackrock. Excellent alternator and hasn't shown a hiccup yet.

That's how I learned the control & brush unit needs to be replaced at 700 hours. Alt stopped charging just as we took off for the Yellowpine Harmonica Festival. Didn't have time to trouble shoot and had to use the plane for a business trip the day after we returned from YP. So with no other viable option, I ordered a new alternator in flight over the Lightspeeds Changed it out when we got home and made the business trip.

I took the old one to an alternator shop when I got back and they said the integrated control & Brush unit need to be changed. Ordered one and installed it. Since I didn't need 2 of them Cam is the new owner of the original alternator.

Next time I'll know to order a $70 part instead of a new $500 alternator. Lesson learned, ouch!

Glad to hear it is working well for you Cam!

I've installed them on several airplanes to generally good reviews. I don't remember any specific failure modes, it's been awhile.

It is important to note that all the little nuts(+,-,F,aux, and little case nuts) are metric, in case you drop any. Don't ask me how I know...

blackrock wrote:Next time I'll know to order a $70 part instead of a new $500 alternator. Lesson learned, ouch!

Glad to hear it is working well for you Cam!

I meant to ask you the backstory. I'm very happy with it!



It was a super easy install, except it had nearly double the output of my original so I had to replace the output wire. That was a pain. But the actual alternator install was very easy and the other wiring was very simple.

I've got the vacuum pad mounted alternator on my 0-320. No problems so far. Few hundred hours or so on it. Love it.

Make sure all the mounting hardware, brackets, bushings, etc are in good repair. I was losing alternators every 25 hrs in the 206. Finally talked to someone with a brain who told me vibration is what kills them. Replaced worn mount, no more problems.

Plane Power is GTG.

You'll be happy with it! I lost almost 7 lbs when i went from a generator to the alternator and I no longer had to run power up to 1500rpm's to charge!

Tom wrote:I've got the vacuum pad mounted alternator on my 0-320. No problems so far. Few hundred hours or so on it. Love it.

Tom, Does it generate enough power to charge your battery at idle?

whee wrote:

Tom wrote:I've got the vacuum pad mounted alternator on my 0-320. No problems so far. Few hundred hours or so on it. Love it.

Tom, Does it generate enough power to charge your battery at idle?

1020rpm it starts charging.

Cool. Thanks.

My hangar co-owner has not had good performance from his PP alternator, mounted on his IO-540 powered experimental. The first one failed in about 20 hours due to a spun bearing. PP fixed it free. But now, at 150 hours, it has started to pop the field breaker, cause unknown. With PP sold to Hartzell there's no personal service anymore. Hartzell will only say to send it in with $500.

Where would someone buy a replacement voltage regulator? Hartzell doesn't sell them and won't give a part number.

Guess I'll be the odd man out (again).
I have the 35A generator on my 1953 C180 and it works just fine.
Granted, I don't do much flying at night, but my standard day VFR op's include a strobe, flashing LED landing light, radio, txp, GPS / tablet.
A friend of mine installed a (70A?) Plane Power alternator on his C210.
Told me the alternator was way better, but couldn't tell me just what was better about it.
As far as I know, he never had any troubles with the 50A generator he replaced.
He did give me the generator, mounting brackets, & regulator , so I guess we both came out ahead.