Okay, trying not to duplicate posts, but it's been dragging on so I'm going to post up some info and try to start wrapping it up.
Somewhere earlier in the thread was a post with
dynamo and
regulator costs.
I am using the
Vetus Set 0089 prop, which is a 7" DIA. I have also tested the
Vetus Set0090, which puts out over double the amps and a good choice for a heavy user. If someone wants one of these, let me know as I can get you better pricing.
I also turned out two custom arbor's to accommodate mounting of the above propellers. Again, let me know if I can help get you one.
The dynamo comes with output test results, of which I'll post the results below, as I expect they are typical.
According to the report, output starts about 1800 rpm, and jumps to 6 amps immediately.
Data shows 5A out at 1600, and progressive up to 18A out at 6000 rpm.
The smaller prop working is probably best for my use as it's a self-limiting governor in terms of output. I'll never be able to fly fast enough to see 3-6000 rpm, and therefore the regulator only needs to deal with an input of under 12-16A in theory. I believe it would give me 5-8A currently if the demand called for it, perhaps as much as 10.
As I have the battery box under the seat, and good space on the box to mount the regulator, wire runs from the dynamo straight up to the regulator, and then via a breaker to the battery will all be quite short. One wire run up to the panel for a Regulator(GEN) breaker switch, and the INOP light.
The schematic has some redundancy for most, but due to my underseat battery location I already have a box mounted battery switch that kills power at the seat.
On a side note - anyone use their bluetooth a lot and find their ANR headset dies early in a flight, with no spare AA's? FYI, they make
USB powered battery chargers. And you've already installed that nice
double USB and voltmeter plug, right? Well, if you mounted one in your underseat battery box as well, now you have a place to keep a set of AA batteries charged and ready for the next change.
...May the batteries stay charged with you.