Aircraft Voltage Regulator Troubleshooting

Aircraft alternators are externally regulated by a voltage regulator sometimes called an alternator controller which is usually mounted either on the firewall in the engine compartment or under the instrument panel.

Aircraft voltage regulator troubleshooting.

Need help solving an electrical system issue. Most aircraft voltage regulators used today are solid state and no longer have the trouble prone contact points and coils. As such regulator maintenance other than basic adjustments are minimal. Troubleshooting guide for all single engine externally regulated alternators.

The following applies to plane power r1224 voltage regulators. The voltage on the armature post should follow the throttle. If another manufacturer s voltage regulator is installed refer to their maintenance manual. Voltage regulator troubleshooting tips.

Which in turn decreases alternator output voltage. If the g the kelly aerospace vr2000 offers built in troubleshooting diagnostics to identify elec trical system problems all the while. Normal readings should be around 14 volts for a so called 12 volt system. Good grounding eliminates many potential problems.

These solid state regulators along with glass cockpit warning systems are providing faster but not necessarily better information to the aircraft s pilot and mechanic. This is because the voltage output of the alternator must greater than the battery voltage or current will not flow into the battery which on its own should produce about 12 8 volts when fully charged. Check the two wires from the generator to the voltage regulator. This video provides the basic steps for troubleshooting aircraft electrical system issues including headset noise.

Check and record voltage of aircraft bus. Make sure that when the master switch is on that you have battery voltage of at least 12 or 24 volts on the regulator battery terminal. Record aircraft bus voltage. The input voltage should be approximately the same as the bus voltage.

If it does the generator is o k.