Hello Paul,
I'm in the early planning stages of my Velocity electrical system, and I was
wondering if you have any words of wisdom with regard to electrical system
issues that are unique to a rotary conversion.  I am planning to use the
stock 20B alternator / regulator.

Thanks,

Don Mitchell

Is there a built in regulator in that 20B alternator?
If so it could, in theory, run your battery down faster than if you
had an external regulator with separate field winding.
I think the failure mode that causes this is a shorted field.
It helps if you can disconect a shorted field from the battery.
That way the EFI/IGN can run longer. Something along these lines as I recall.

Paul Lamar

Mark Steitle wrote:

Don,
You may want to check the Aero-Electric list at http://www.matronics.com/
There is a load of information there that deals with internal vs. external regulators.  There is also an archive area that you can search.  Bob Nuckols is very good with aviaton electrical systems.  Bottom line is Bob highly recommends going with an external regulator with over-voltage protection in order to prevent possible voltage spikes destroying your avionics.  I highly recommend his book.
 

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