I just wanted to take a moment and thank you and your team for an
I purchased the conversion for the reliability - my generator having
All that has changed with the N300 alternator conversion! I completed
I guess I better shut down and see where I went wrong. I pulled the
Needless to say, I am very pleased with the National Air Parts
absolutely first-rate alternator conversion. I recently purchased your
N300-based 70A alternator conversion kit to replace the tired 50A
generator in my N-35 Bonanza. My plan was to install the kit myself and
have my A&P inspect and sign off on the work. Thanks to the
completeness of the kit, quality of the parts and clear, detailed
step-by-step instructions, I was able to do just that. Everyone who has
seen the conversion has been very impressed, including a friend who has
installed "the other" alternator conversion and has had to live with the
jury-rigged alternator bracket.
failed several times in the past. So I expected reliability. The
70-amp output capability was a nice bonus, but not my primary reason for
the upgrade. What really took me by surprised was the USABLE power. I
have owned my Bonanza for over 20 years and I don't think I have had
both landing lights on in the last 19 years. I find I need the landing
lights most when taxiing - which means at relatively low RPM - which
translates into low generator output. Switching on the second landing
light in a taxi configuration has always resulted in the dim yellow glow
from the single taxi light turning to a myopic orange as the second
landing light was switched on - coupled with a massive discharge on the
ammeter.
the installation one evening and was anxious to check out my work. I
pulled the airplane out of the hanger and started the engine with all
gauges (especially the ammeter) reading normally. In the past,
switching on the Grimes rotating beacon at idle has resulted in a slight
drop on the ammeter - not this time. Next the nav lights - still no
ammeter drop. Switch on the strobes - still no drop. Now I'm starting
to get worried. Maybe I have hooked something up incorrectly and the
ammeter is somehow "out of the circuit". I switched on the upper
landing light and was astonished with its crystal white intensity but
still no sign of fatigue from the ammeter. On goes the lower landing
light with similar results! Here I am, engine idling at about 1,100 RPM
and lit up like a Christmas tree with all lights blazing, flashing &
rotating. Obviously the alternator is working - the piercing white
beams of the landing lights tell me that, but I still must have screwed
something up with the installation because the ammeter has not even
flickered!
throttle back to idle cut-off and as I reached for the mixture, I
noticed that the ammeter showed a 25% discharge. Yipeeee!! Maybe I
didn't mess up after all. Throttle up to 1,100 RPM and the ammeter pops
right back to 'neutral'. Let's use the vernier to see just exactly what
RPM it takes to start a discharge. 1,050 RPM? No, still fine. 1,000
RPM?? Nope. 950 RPM??? Ammeter still hasn't moved! 900 RPM???? still
going strong. 850 RPM ????? Did I detect movement? There it is, the
ammeter is now showing a slight discharge ....... at 820 RPM. Try THAT
with the old 50A generator!
conversion. Jim and his team offer first rate parts coupled with first
rate service - and they are friendly, too!
Steve Walker
President
SONASEARCH, INC
425/883-1984
This National alternator conversion kit, Model TC-1-12, is a "must have" for Debonair and Bonanza owners wishing to upgrade their electrical systems to rock-solid, modern performance capability. The system is extremely simple to install and provides for an OEM-like installation, rather than that of a typical add-on product.
