60A Alternator recommendations

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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Kurt Aichele
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:44 am

60A Alternator recommendations

Post by Kurt Aichele »

Looking for recommendations/suggestions on a replacement alternator for our '48 170. Existing is a Ford 60 amp alternator on an 0300D. Thanks in advance.
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cessna170bdriver
Posts: 4115
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 5:13 pm

Re: 60A Alternator recommendations

Post by cessna170bdriver »

It's a 50-amp, not a 60-amp, but I haven't had a minute's trouble out of my Jasco alternator and regulator in 25 years of service. It had about 1000 hours on the system at last engine overhaul 9 years ago, and I had the alternator itself overhauled at that time just because I wanted to start fresh with all accessories.
Miles

“I envy no man that knows more than myself, but pity them that know less.”
— Thomas Browne
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lowNslow
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Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 4:20 pm

Re: 60A Alternator recommendations

Post by lowNslow »

Kurt Aichele wrote:Looking for recommendations/suggestions on a replacement alternator for our '48 170. Existing is a Ford 60 amp alternator on an 0300D. Thanks in advance.
My 170 had a Ford alternator installed when I bought it but in was not documented at all (i.e. no log book entry, STC, or 337). I was able to find an STC for the installation which made it legal for $95. I don't have my logbooks with me so don't have the STC number handing. If you like I can pass it along.
Karl
'53 170B N3158B SN:25400
ASW-20BL
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mit
Posts: 1067
Joined: Wed May 01, 2002 1:54 am

Re: 60A Alternator recommendations

Post by mit »

Jasco from Spruce...
Tim
Kurt Aichele
Posts: 121
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:44 am

Re: 60A Alternator recommendations

Post by Kurt Aichele »

Thanks for the input/recommendations. Will see what kind of prices I can get.
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GAHorn
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Re: 60A Alternator recommendations

Post by GAHorn »

Why re-invent the wheel? If your Ford alternator is properly documented... buy an identical replacement or have yours repaired!
'53 B-model N146YS SN:25713
50th Anniversary of Flight Model. Winner-Best Original 170B, 100th Anniversary of Flight Convention.
An originality nut (mostly) for the right reasons. ;)
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blueldr
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Re: 60A Alternator recommendations

Post by blueldr »

I hope that most of you guys realize that a C-170 has a fised gear and hand operated flaps. Since the advent of solid state electronics, there is really very little for electrical demand that cannot be satisfied with a mrer 20 amp generator. A 60 amp alternator is kind of overkill considering the electrical demands of the average C-170.
Keep in mind that in the event of a dead battery, the engine can easily be started by hand propping. However, in the event of a really dead battery, an alternator requires an electrical energization of the field to get started to produce electricity. Without a method of energizing the field .,the alternator will just spin .
Whereas, a generator has risidual magnetism that will energise the field to start electrical production. Your only problem then ie to be able to jump the power across the Master solenoid from the energized side to the battery side to electrically close the master solenoid to start power flowing to the battery.
I am certainly not noted at all for any kind of humble opinion, but I pretty well consider a 60 amp alternator overkill on a C-170.
Naturally, all ot the anove is negated in the event that you install a weather radar on your C-170. Those suckers really hog up power.
BL
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