climberrn
Well Known Member
Sorry for the long post.
Was flying XC talking to Oakland Center today and noticed the voltage going up and down from 12.5-15 volts. I believe my Dynon only reads to 15 volts but not sure. I turned the field wire switch off, no changes. Pulled the 5A circuit breaker for the field and no changes. Was taking a bit of time to process what to do, and after about 30 seconds I see the voltage spike to 15+, hear a "pop" and EVERYTHING goes dark, and I smell electrical smoke for a second. Loose radios, both EFIS's, audio panel, etc. Turned the master off, although nothing had power anyway and used Foreflight on my iPhone to find the nearest airport within reason.
Plane has an "Air Tec" automotive style alternator, less than 300 hours. Full Dynon setup with PS Engineering audio panel, and a couple of GTR-200's. Have PMags and an EarthX battery.
1. The CB's on the PMags popped. Landed with engine power but the engine quit pulling off the runway below a certain RPM. They worked as they should in the air. On the ground with the Pmag CB reset, as soon as I turn the master on, both CB's pop. Talked to Brad at EMag, and will need to send in. He offered to overnight some. Thanks Brad!!
2. Will call B&C tomorrow and get a new alternator that won't fry my panel next time. Any suggestions why I could not shut down the field in flight? They are run through a Cessna style split Batt/Alt switch. Is it a wiring issue, or do the automotive ones keep running once they have power? Don't want to have the discussion about auto vs airplane alternators. I know people that run both. Not for me anymore.
3. Both Dynon screens will not come on. They each have a backup battery, but will not come on at all anymore under their backup battery or ship battery. Pulled my "map data" usb drives but no parameters were written on them prior to shutdown. Pulled screens from the plane and will call Dynon in the morning.
4. Electric trim runs through the AP panel, no longer works when the master is turned on.
Did not try and engage the starter. I "Think" the battery shut down from over voltage protection, but am not sure. The battery indicator light is run through the EFIS.
Fuses on both USB chargers blew as well as some 12V computer fans on the top of the panel. No other circuit breakers or fuses popped. The GTR-200's and the PMA-5000 come on but did not test them, and the flaps work on the ground. Not sure about transponder, ADSB, EMS, AHRS, AP Panel & Servos.
Will get on the phone in the morning to B&C and Dynon and see where I start. Is this something I should call my insurance company about? Not sure what else to check. Wanted to vent and see if there is anything else I should check.
Big thanks to the RV community. Several RV friends offered a hand and 2 RV's flew out to pick my wife and I up. Also got a call from Scott with an -8 based at KMCE. Forgot my iPad on the wing. He has it, and offered a hand to fix the plane.
Was flying XC talking to Oakland Center today and noticed the voltage going up and down from 12.5-15 volts. I believe my Dynon only reads to 15 volts but not sure. I turned the field wire switch off, no changes. Pulled the 5A circuit breaker for the field and no changes. Was taking a bit of time to process what to do, and after about 30 seconds I see the voltage spike to 15+, hear a "pop" and EVERYTHING goes dark, and I smell electrical smoke for a second. Loose radios, both EFIS's, audio panel, etc. Turned the master off, although nothing had power anyway and used Foreflight on my iPhone to find the nearest airport within reason.
Plane has an "Air Tec" automotive style alternator, less than 300 hours. Full Dynon setup with PS Engineering audio panel, and a couple of GTR-200's. Have PMags and an EarthX battery.
1. The CB's on the PMags popped. Landed with engine power but the engine quit pulling off the runway below a certain RPM. They worked as they should in the air. On the ground with the Pmag CB reset, as soon as I turn the master on, both CB's pop. Talked to Brad at EMag, and will need to send in. He offered to overnight some. Thanks Brad!!
2. Will call B&C tomorrow and get a new alternator that won't fry my panel next time. Any suggestions why I could not shut down the field in flight? They are run through a Cessna style split Batt/Alt switch. Is it a wiring issue, or do the automotive ones keep running once they have power? Don't want to have the discussion about auto vs airplane alternators. I know people that run both. Not for me anymore.
3. Both Dynon screens will not come on. They each have a backup battery, but will not come on at all anymore under their backup battery or ship battery. Pulled my "map data" usb drives but no parameters were written on them prior to shutdown. Pulled screens from the plane and will call Dynon in the morning.
4. Electric trim runs through the AP panel, no longer works when the master is turned on.
Did not try and engage the starter. I "Think" the battery shut down from over voltage protection, but am not sure. The battery indicator light is run through the EFIS.
Fuses on both USB chargers blew as well as some 12V computer fans on the top of the panel. No other circuit breakers or fuses popped. The GTR-200's and the PMA-5000 come on but did not test them, and the flaps work on the ground. Not sure about transponder, ADSB, EMS, AHRS, AP Panel & Servos.
Will get on the phone in the morning to B&C and Dynon and see where I start. Is this something I should call my insurance company about? Not sure what else to check. Wanted to vent and see if there is anything else I should check.
Big thanks to the RV community. Several RV friends offered a hand and 2 RV's flew out to pick my wife and I up. Also got a call from Scott with an -8 based at KMCE. Forgot my iPad on the wing. He has it, and offered a hand to fix the plane.