The International Cessna^® 170 Association

What that diagram does not show is that the base of the regulator also must be grounded (just like the gen frame.)

Gary,

I have an Alternator on my plane and solid state voltage controller. The alt/controller are not wired through the master. I do have an alternator field breaker/switch. Guess I’ll be double checking my wiring to ensure it’s correct.

todd.mtn wrote:Gary,

I have an Alternator on my plane and solid state voltage controller. The alt/controller are not wired through the master. I do have an alternator field breaker/switch. Guess I’ll be double checking my wiring to ensure it’s correct.

What alternator installation do you have?

Todd,
The original master switch is really two switches in one unit. Sounds like your plane has the generator/alternator wiring removed from the master switch and installed on a separate switch which seems acceptable to me. The advantage to your system is that you have the ability to disconnect the alternator without shutting off the entire electrical system — similar to a split rocker setup.

With this aircraft the wiring on the engine side of the wall wall is simple enough is what’s happens on the cockpit side that we also have to be careful also. I have just seen a 172m series with all electrical load items coming from the master switch and by passing the circuit breakers. This was a dogs dinner waiting for trouble to happen. It seems the breakers had been “blowing” indiscriminately and how to fix that we’ll bypass them . The owner thought that The new radios were consuming more power due to their up rating or power out put. The fitment of the circuit breakers looked like they were fitted at the factory many years ago. C/B,s wear out and get old like the rest of us I tried to explain .
I had to explain to him while he owned the aircraft and he could do what he wanted to do with the aircraft BUT he couldn’t fly the aircraft as there is a legal process to go through to ensure safety of all . He is what we call a bush mechanic .
It had auto motive style wiring also and soldered joints wrapped in plastic tape . It was a total rewire under the instrument Panel and costs $2000 Plus the cost of a 100hrly.
The rewire has to be done as per Cessna wiring diagrams That are approved . His total cost of the aircraft rectification will be approximately $5000.
He had total shock and then anger and then the insults . No sir I am not ripping you off , this is the parts list required and the labor cost per hour . You are most welcome to assist in the rectification. He was going to save on the labor costs he thought. Seats out and start removing all the wiring behind the instrument panel . He lasted a couple of hours and when home at lunch time . “i will leave it to you guys , you seem to know what you are doing . He had owned the aircraft 3 weeks . While it’s not a requirement to view owners pilots licenses I would have liked to see his .
[their credit card is the most important item ]