Certainly keeping the continuous load to a maximum of about 11amps
helps to avoid exploring the edges of the regulators envelope. With
most daylight VFR equipped Europas this should be quite easy to do.
High power lights in particular put the regulator nearer to its
limits.
Although my regulator (like many) is mounted on the footwell, it
receives the outlet of a 2 tube of ram air which is used to cool the
fuel tubing forward of the firewall. I use the NACA duct on the lower
starboard side of the engine cowl. Fuel temperature entering the
carburetor is nearly always around that leaving the fuel tank. The only
exception is after shutdown when the lack of airflow lets the fuel
temperature rise to around 40degC on hot days. For short turnarounds I
leave the inspection panels open as this allows the hot air to escape
more easily. It is important to have some method to avoid forgetting to
close them before departure.
Nigel Charles
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-europa-list-
server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Duncan & Ami McFadyean
Sent: 05 August 2008 19:59
Subject: Re: Europa-List: Ducatti Rectifier/Regulator
That mode of (slow) regulator failure is common. And not just on
Europas.
I have it creeping up on me too, but can confirm that the regulator
does not see more than 40C (as measured on the body of the regulator),
except perhaps after shutdown, at which time there would be no greater
junction temperature, which should be able to endure in excess of 100C
. So the failure mode may not necessarily be related to temperature.
Duncan McF.
----- Original Message -----
From: Bryan Allsop
Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2008 9:56 AM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: Ducatti Rectifier/Regulator
Hi Steve,
My regulator is positioned on the firewall behind the plenum chamber,
without a heat sink. Last time he did an annual inspection Graham
Singleton looked at it oddly, and asked if I had experienced problems
with the regulator. Apparently overheating had been common problem. I
told him that I had not, and forgot about it.
Only last week I had a radio failure in flight. I noticed that the
voltage had dropped and returned to investigate. Sure enough, there was
no voltage from the Ducati regulator to the battery. After an hour or
two trying to prove to myself that I did not need to buy a new
regulator, I failed, and had to spend 75 + del. to purchase a new
one.
Retrospectively, I can look back and recognise that the failure has
been taking place intermittently for more than a year. I can recall odd
times when the voltage had dropped, and I put it down to other things.
More recently it has taken a little time for the voltage to come up to
the charging level. It is a bit like old age, you begin to accept that
visiting the bathroom in the middle of the night is normal.
My recent investigations illustrate that there is quite a history
overheating problems with Ducati regulators. Hopefully the later models
have been improved. Certainly the back of my unit does not give a good
heat sink area. Despite this, the regulator has been installed and
working for over eight years.
This all leads me to suggest that you would be well advised to
position the regulator in a way which will minimise heating problems. A
good heat sink would be an advantage.
Hope this helps.
Bryan
> From: steven.pitt2@ntlworld.com
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Europa-List: Ducatti Rectifier/Regulator
> Date: Sun, 3 Aug 2008 19:33:01 +0100
>
pitt2@ntlworld.com>
>
> Dear All,
> I hope I am not repeating a thread but I would appreciate input from
the
> forum on where builders have positioned their regulators. My reason
for
> asking is that I may have an intermittent fault in the electrical
generation
> system and having done some fault tracing with Conrad Beale and
Skydrive it
> is pointing to the rectifier and the possibility that it has become
'cooked'
> and thus developed the intermittent workings.
> My fitment is on the flat above the pilot's footwell, but the
opinion
> expressed so far is that there is not enough air circulation to keep
it
> cool, especially after landing. I still have the side gills to the
top
> cowling.
> Thanks in anticipation.
> Steve Pitt
> G-SMDH Trigear XS.
>
>
> Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com
>
>
&g===========
>
>
>
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