At 03:21 AM 9/5/2010, you wrote: >You need a low voltage warning indicator. It gives you immediate >annunciation of a failed alternator. There is approximately a 1.5 volt >difference between a fully charged battery and the output of your >alternator. This difference, 14 volts down to 12.5 volts gives you a >transition to monitor for safe flight. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Thanks, Bob. You're right. Even a simple digital volt meter would give me a better indication than the analog meter I have installed. It wouldn't give me the warning but would be a very obvious indicator of alternator output. My analog meter indicated a possible problem but it was more of a "is it" or "ain't it" type of thing. The digital meter would say " hey, dude, you have a problem". I work part time repairing battery chargers. I built a tester setup to test them using a couple of batteries, an analog amp meter, and a digital volt meter. On the very small 1 amp chargers / maintainers , it's difficult to see if they are working on the analog meter but the digital volt meter gives an immediate indication as the monitored voltage jumps and starts to climb when you plug in the charger. I used the same basic setup to test my alternator. I hooked a digital volt meter on my battery and then started the engine. Zero change in the read. No alternator output. Several check to insure the wiring is good and order a new regulator. Larry Flesner
