John Wigney wrote:
> Dear Europa builders,
>
> I would like to make my instrument panel IFR capable and after adding up
> the current draw for the items which I would like to install, plus nav
> lights, strobes, etc. it appears that the output from the standard Rotax
> alternator could be marginal or inadequate. Choice of a hydraulic VP
> prop and associated governor also would eliminate the vacuum pump and
> require electric gyros which will aggravate the situation. I know that
> there is a 40A belt driven auxiliary alternator available from Rotax
> (alternative also available at http://www.ultralight.ca/rotax.htm).
> However, although I do not have my Europa/XS cowling yet, I am sure this
> auxiliary generator will not fit inside the cowling without significant
> reshaping.
>
> Has anyone tried this idea of an auxiliary generator on the Europa with
> a Rotax 912 installation and if so, do you have advice and
> recommendations for the installation ? I would be grateful for your
> comments.
>
> (My current build status is at the fitting of the fuselage top, next
> steps are fitting of wings and flap drive tube. Am very envious of you
> guys going on exotic trips here, there and everywhere.)
>
> Best regards,
>
> John Wigney, A099
> North Carolina
Dear John,
I sent out a similar e-mail a couple of weeks ago. I am co-building
with David DeFord, and we also want to use the aux pad for the
Whirlwind constant speed prop governor. We have been told that
the optional, front mounted, alternator does not fit the cowl.
The responses I got back can be summarized as follows:
1. Get rid of our power hungry strobes (Whelen A600's) and use some
others that use less current.
We fly in an area with a lot of traffic, and with an all white airplane,
feel
the need to be seen. So, we would like to keep the A600's with multiple
pulses per cycle (about 7 amps).
2. Use an electric prop, allowing an alternator to be located on the aux
pad.
We really want a hydraulic constant speed prop, particularly for
aerobatics. It's not clear to me that the electric constant speed will
keep up with the changes in load.
3. Get by with the standard alternator, which provides about 15 amps (while
still charging the battery). Adding the optional alternator up front adds
weight
that may be difficult to counter balance.
This doesn't seem very robust. With strobes and nav lights we are
already
at 15 amps, without radio, transponder, electic instruments, or fuel pump
(needed
full time with the 914).
We are seriously considering the 914, which is already heavier up front,
and
needs one electric fuel pump on all the time and another part time. We are
not sure what to do yet. Please keep us advised of any solutions you may
come up with in this area.
Terry Seaver, A135
|