View Single Post
  #6  
Old July 26th 06, 03:46 AM posted to rec.aviation.homebuilt
Peter Dohm
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,754
Default Problem with auto alternators


clare at snyder.on.ca wrote in message
...
On Mon, 24 Jul 2006 21:42:43 GMT, jerry wass
wrote:

clare at snyder.on.ca wrote:
On 23 Jul 2006 21:21:19 -0700, "abripl"
wrote:


One known problem is that aircraft engines turn CCW looking at the prop
but auto alternators have cooling fins optimized for CW. But thats not
apparently as much a problem as the pulley nut potentially comming
loose. For CW rotation the engine torque will tend to tighten the
pulley nut but for CCW it will tend to loosen it. It happened to me
today )on the ground) after 60 hours of use and the alternator was not
charging just spinning the pulley. Make sure you check your pulley nut
tightness ocassionally if you are using an auto alternator.



Are you telling me that all the aircraft versions of alternators have
left hand threads? Or even that alternators on engines that run
"backwards" or have the alternator on the back of the engine(like on a
Renault R12) have left hand threaded rotors?
I'm afraid I'd have to dissagree. Not ALL do. Perhaps SOME.
On counter-rotating marine engines, both alternators are the same.


Corvairs do--both the old generators and the newer alternators. some
loc-tite goes a Loong way in these situations..Jerry


Corvair has left hand thread on alternator????? None that I've seen,
and the manual does not mention it - and the rotor is the same as any
other Delcotron.


--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com


I really doubt that there were any left hand threads on small alternators,
but there were a number of auto engines that rotated in the opposite
direction. IIRC rear drive Chryslers used to rotate backward of GM, and I
believe that Honda currently rotates the reverse of most other front drives
due to the reversed position of the engine and drive train.

I hope this helps. It should at least net an appropriate fan.

Peter