ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

How to keep the Cessna 170 flying and airworthy.

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FARRELL
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:36 pm

ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Post by FARRELL »

My electrics are powered by a 35amp gen and a G1350 Zeftronics voltage regulator. After 25 minutes in flight my gen light comes on and my amp meter shows 0 charging. I can reset the system by reducing my RPM to about 1500 or less or waiting till I am on the ground and turning the master switch off and back on. We installed a new master switch that seemed to help but the problem has resurfaced. Comments would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Alan
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daedaluscan
Posts: 497
Joined: Fri Apr 20, 2012 7:03 pm

Re: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Post by daedaluscan »

I have just begun to have the same problem. I have a 20 A generator and a Zeftronics regulator. About one time in five that I start the plane I get no charging, but recycling the master -off- wait 5 secs- on- will give me normal charging again. I have been meaning to contact Zeftronics. I have replaced the generator brushes, and checked the wiring.
Charlie

1956 170B C-GDRG #27019
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rupertjl
Posts: 382
Joined: Thu Jun 17, 2004 5:29 pm

Re: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Post by rupertjl »

Have you flashed the field? Procedure in the 100 series manual.
1950 170A: N9191A s/n 19366
FARRELL
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2015 7:36 pm

Re: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Post by FARRELL »

Although I would still like to here from more people I would like to thank and thank in advance to all those that have or will reply to my two recent posts.
Cheers,
Alan
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jrenwick
Posts: 2045
Joined: Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:34 pm

Re: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Post by jrenwick »

I have this problem in my O300-powered Swift with a Delco-Remy generator and Zeftronics controller. I believe the controller is seeing a spike in voltage while the engine starts and the generator gets going, and it has logic in it to turn off the voltage to the field winding. I've learned to start the engine with the generator circuit breaker off, then turn it on after the engine is running. No problems if I do that.
John Renwick
Minneapolis, MN
Former owner, '55 C-170B, N4401B
'42 J-3 Cub, N62088
'50 Swift GC-1B, N2431B, Oshkosh 2009 Outstanding Swift Award, 2016 Best Continuously Maintained Swift
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GAHorn
Posts: 21016
Joined: Fri Apr 12, 2002 8:45 pm

Re: ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

Post by GAHorn »

Contact Zeftronics for troubleshooting their regulators. They also have a troubleshooting chart online.
-800-362-8985
'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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