Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

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gordsh
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Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by gordsh »

I am about 1/2 way through my training and looking forward to doing some solo x-country trips. In my spare time I often run through checklist in my head when away from the airplane and realized today that the standby Alternator is not a part of mt pre-flight check whatsoever. I have never touched the switch nor have ever seen it on any check lists. Is this normal? Does any one check their standby alternator before flights?
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Steve
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by Steve »

Well, I don't have one, so...

...no. ;)
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gordsh
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by gordsh »

Hmmm, good point, I hope I am not the only one in this forum with a Standby Alternator. Here is a picture I took showing its location on the dash

Image
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Steven
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by Steven »

Sorry, my 2007 XL doesn’t have one either.
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pietromarx
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by pietromarx »

What's the indicator to the left of the switch, too?

Thanks
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gordsh
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by gordsh »

pietromarx wrote:What's the indicator to the left of the switch, too?

Thanks
Hi Peter, the indicator to the left of the switch is labeled "WHEN FLASHING REDUCE LOAD". This would/should come on when/if the main alternator fails and is to be used as an indicator to turn on the Standby Alternator. I am going to discuss with my instructor but I am thinking to incorporate a Standby Alternator pre-flight check (on-check amps-then off) just before I turn on the main Alternator on my checklist.

Part of the challenge is that all pilots who are familiar with DA40's and looked at my plane have never seen these options in a DA40 before including my instructor.
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Colin
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by Colin »

If you check the logbooks I think you will find you have something special installed. I looked at one a few times (I had an alternator failure at 9k over Albany one summer with the family on board), but it didn't seem worth it in the end.
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pietromarx
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by pietromarx »

I have had one alternator failure (was on an IFR plan, but in beautiful VFR conditions). Landed at San Luis Obispo. Within 30 seconds of opening the cowl we realized that a wire had disconnected on the alternator. Reattached it and was on my way. The disturbing issue was that there was no alert.

In another situation we had an alternator fail alert that cleared itself. There was no indication of an actual failure and this was > 150 hours ago.
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gordsh
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by gordsh »

I will check log books and have a detailed discussion with my instructor tomorrow and update this thread. I am also going to try this switch before I turn on the main alternator and see if voltage/amps change.
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Re: Standby Alternator pre-flight check.

Post by Charbie »

Does anyone have a definitive answer on alternator overhaul requirements? I have read in other threads it could be 1000 hours.
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