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Need help with some Z-14 electrical system troubleshooting

 
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ceengland7(at)gmail.com
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 11:54 am    Post subject: Need help with some Z-14 electrical system troubleshooting Reply with quote

On 11/27/2018 1:04 PM, Bill Watson wrote:
Quote:

<Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com>

(the Z-14 has 2 buses, 2 alternators and 2 batteries - B&C alternators
and regulators, Odyssey batteries)

I regularly fly with the 2 buses not interconnected.  At cruise I've
been seeing between 14.5 and 14.7 volts on both buses.  I've been
running like that for over a year.

On my last flight I noticed the voltage on bus 2 dropped almost 1
volt.  It was jumping around between 13.4 and 14.0 volts.  I removed
various loads to see if perhaps I had a malfunctioning component but
this had no effect.

I engaged the cross feed to connect the 2 buses.  Bus 2 remained at 14
volts or less but was less jumpy staying closer to 14.  Bus 1 remained
at 14.5 to 14.7.

With the cross feed engaged and Bus 2 switched off, the voltage on Bus
2 dropped to between 12.4 and 13.7

With the cross feed engaged, I pulled the CB on the bus 2 regulator
taking the #2 regulator/alternator offline.  Bus 2 voltage was between
12.8 and 13.5 (bus 1 was 14.5)

I don't have a load tester but the bus 2 battery seems okay
(12.78volts with no load at 50F).  It would seem that I'm getting some
current from the alternator but there has been a distinct drop in bus
2 voltage.  I would have thought that both buses would have roughly
the same voltage when interconnected with the bus 2 alternator offline.

I'm looking for some advice on troubleshooting.  Thanks!

Any chance you have an instrument error issue? If you put a digital

meter on each bus, what does it say? If you verify low voltage, maybe a
shorted diode in the alternator?

Charlie

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yellowduckduo(at)gmail.co
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PostPosted: Tue Nov 27, 2018 11:57 am    Post subject: Need help with some Z-14 electrical system troubleshooting Reply with quote

Nice description. My Z14 does show both voltages the same with the
crossfeed closed as you surmise. I'd want to verify that the buss 2
voltage is accurate with a separate meter.

Next I'd physically disconnect the buss 2 alternator to see what
happens. Or measure the current from (or into) the #2 regulator or
alternator if you have a current meter. A DC Clamp ON ammeter is handy
for rough DC current measurements. (under $20. on ebay).

Ken

On 2018-11-27 2:04 p.m., Bill Watson wrote:
Quote:

<Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com>

(the Z-14 has 2 buses, 2 alternators and 2 batteries - B&C alternators
and regulators, Odyssey batteries)

I regularly fly with the 2 buses not interconnected.  At cruise I've
been seeing between 14.5 and 14.7 volts on both buses.  I've been
running like that for over a year.

On my last flight I noticed the voltage on bus 2 dropped almost 1 volt.
It was jumping around between 13.4 and 14.0 volts.  I removed various
loads to see if perhaps I had a malfunctioning component but this had no
effect.

I engaged the cross feed to connect the 2 buses.  Bus 2 remained at 14
volts or less but was less jumpy staying closer to 14.  Bus 1 remained
at 14.5 to 14.7.

With the cross feed engaged and Bus 2 switched off, the voltage on Bus 2
dropped to between 12.4 and 13.7

With the cross feed engaged, I pulled the CB on the bus 2 regulator
taking the #2 regulator/alternator offline.  Bus 2 voltage was between
12.8 and 13.5 (bus 1 was 14.5)

I don't have a load tester but the bus 2 battery seems okay (12.78volts
with no load at 50F).  It would seem that I'm getting some current from
the alternator but there has been a distinct drop in bus 2 voltage.  I
would have thought that both buses would have roughly the same voltage
when interconnected with the bus 2 alternator offline.

I'm looking for some advice on troubleshooting.  Thanks!


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