X-Mozilla-Keys:                                                                                 
RJohn15183@aol.com wrote:

In a message dated 8/25/99 8:40:06 PM Central Daylight Time,
rotaryeng@earthlink.net writes:

     At this point I am in favor of 2 alternators unless I can be sure of

 >      identifying a battery that is prepairing to die.  But 2 batteries

and

 >      2 alternators on what is a basically day VFR plane???  Sounds like

to

 >      much weight and complexity to me.

I plan to use a RAT, Ram Air Turbine. I have seen ads from them as low as
$150. It stows inside the plane on a hinged panel and when you pull the
"ripcord" the panel swings out into the slipstream and the little
propellor/turbine (kinda looks like an alternator fan) turns a standard
alternator. Pretty slick.  Another upside is that it is not in use and
wearing out when you don't need it.

Combine this with a backup electric vacuum pump and you are set with back up
juice and backup vacuum.

The only real drawback is that they have airspeed restrictions, depending on
what your flying you may have to slow down to 120 kias or so.

Rob

 
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