Hello all,
I have a 1976 C-180J, with a Pponk, currently on straight Aerocets. About 10 days ago, on one of those REALLY hot days, climbing out of Seattle to cross the Cascades headed to Idaho, step climbing to manage the heat. Near the top of climb I have a couple things happen at about the same time (maybe THE same time): Low 'batt' warning on my JPI and a surging engine sound on a regular basis. Had pulse lights (LED), nav lights (incan) and beacon (tail mounters incan) all on. Turned off the nav lights to start shedding the load and more or less immediately the voltage came up a few tenths. Finished the flight like that, paying extra attention for burning smells, indications etc... All clear.
Next flight a few days later, and paying close attention, there's no surging in the headset, but I do see the voltage is running low if all lights are on, and I notice a flicker in the factory ammeter. The flicker runs about the same timing as the surging from the last flight. Also goes away when I turn off the beacon. Never noticed the recurring movement in the ammeter before.
This a.m. taxiing out, I notice, with all lights on, voltage is running a couple tenths HIGHER than normal. (Incidentally the flight was scrapped due to incoming wx)
Battery is a new Concorde last year.
Am I losing my regulator or is there a better place to start diagnosing?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Kevin
N7521K
I have a 1976 C-180J, with a Pponk, currently on straight Aerocets. About 10 days ago, on one of those REALLY hot days, climbing out of Seattle to cross the Cascades headed to Idaho, step climbing to manage the heat. Near the top of climb I have a couple things happen at about the same time (maybe THE same time): Low 'batt' warning on my JPI and a surging engine sound on a regular basis. Had pulse lights (LED), nav lights (incan) and beacon (tail mounters incan) all on. Turned off the nav lights to start shedding the load and more or less immediately the voltage came up a few tenths. Finished the flight like that, paying extra attention for burning smells, indications etc... All clear.
Next flight a few days later, and paying close attention, there's no surging in the headset, but I do see the voltage is running low if all lights are on, and I notice a flicker in the factory ammeter. The flicker runs about the same timing as the surging from the last flight. Also goes away when I turn off the beacon. Never noticed the recurring movement in the ammeter before.
This a.m. taxiing out, I notice, with all lights on, voltage is running a couple tenths HIGHER than normal. (Incidentally the flight was scrapped due to incoming wx)
Battery is a new Concorde last year.
Am I losing my regulator or is there a better place to start diagnosing?
Thanks for any thoughts!
Kevin
N7521K
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