Motorcraft belt drive alternator/ voltage regulator

[Gary Wallace]

I'm looking for input/opinions. Currently I have a one wire voltage regulator mounted to the motorcraft alternator.this doesn't require a field wire connection. The other option is a firewall mounted external voltage regulator which requires a bit more wiring. Is there pros and cons to both?? I'm not really up on this so any advice would be helpful. Thanks. Gary

[svyolo]

A lot depends on how important electricity is to your airplane.

[Gary Wallace]

I will be running a single electronic ignition and a single magneto. So, I would consider it fairly important..would the external regulator be a bit more reliable in anyones' opinion. I would almost think so. Thanks.

[jaredyates]

If you might ever want to run a lithium battery, you will either need to use the external regulator, or a modofied internal regulator like what is found in the plane power line. Standard auto alternators don't allow for absolute and automatic overvoltage protection. Personally, I would not have an alternator without crowbar overvoltage protection. It's just too cheap and avionics are too expensive.

[svyolo]

The least reliable part of alternators is the VR. If the VR is external, you just have to swap the VR. If is internal, you swap the whole alternator. I think there are some pretty inexpensive external Vrs out there. Like 25 bucks.

[Gary Wallace]

Went with the LR3D-14 voltage regulator. I think it's a good choice.

[svyolo]

I did as well, just for the over voltage protection.

[David Swartzendruber]

Gary, do you have a picture of the back of your motorcraft alternator. If so, would you mind posting it? I'm curious about which alternator you have.
David

[Gary Wallace]

David....I can't get a pic to this thread. Please send me your email and I'll send you a pic

[David Swartzendruber]

PM sent with my email.