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Wow! Just a WEALTH of information that Randall......;-) /fred
-----Original Message-----
From: Randall Reihing [mailto:rreihing@eng.utoledo.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 12:37 PM
To: taylorcraft@topica.com
Subject: Taylorcraft: Voltage Regulator
Toni. The original Delco Remy VR, part # 1118736E, for the DR 20 amp
generator, no longer exists. You can call a local Cessna dealer and ask for
the part number for a voltage regulator in a Cessna C140. They used the
same Delco Remy VR as the Taylorcrafts did. Using the Cessna part number,
the regulator is sometimes available from Preferred Airparts (see web site)
as New, Old Stock, when Preferred finds one in a buy out of someones
inventory. But generally speaking it is no longer to be found.
Now as for substitutes: Aircraft Spruce stocks a replacement unit listed on
page 240 of their 2001/2002 catalog, the one with the Luscombe on the
cover. Under "Electrosystems Voltage Regulators" in the middle of the page,
go to the 9'th item down with part number VR300-14-20, for $108.00. These
units are apparently manufactured by Kelly in Texas and sold through their
Electrosystems division. They are electronic regulators, not mechanical.
For a mechanical, 20 amp regulator, very close to the original equipment,
you can call J&N in Cincinnatti at 800-366-7100 Their nearly identical
replacement for the Delo-Remy 12 volt, 20 amp voltage regulator is part
number 231-1200-8. This is the replacement number that Delco-Remy lists in
their data book for the 1118736E. It is not an exact copy (and neither is
the one from Electrosystems) but it is very close. All the companies that
repair/service automotive electrical systems order from J&N and mark it up
around 200% when they sell it to you. However, J&N will sell direct to you
if you identify yourself as a "restorer". Just say your name and that you
are a restorer currently in need of a voltge regulator, part #
231-1200-8.........................
The original Delco-Remy regulator uses just one resistor on the base, has
heavy wire on the outer winding for the field coil relay, and the upper
contact points are replaceable.
On the J&N replacement units the upper set of contact points are no longer
replaceable, there are two resistors for the field coil relay and the outer
winding of the field coil is much smaller wire. But the unit works every
bit as well as the orignal and is fully compatible with the Delco-remy 20
amp generator.
Kelly Inc.,in Texas, revealed that they apparently own Electrosystems and
manufacture the voltage regulator's in Texas, selling them through the
Electrosystems division. Electrosystems technicians stated that their VR is
not an exact copy of the original Delco-Remy relay but has the same
performance parameters and should last around 1000 hours in normal useage.
The J&N Delco-Remy replacment is around $25.00 plus UPS shipping costs. It
appears to be a perfect match. I checked this with our local automotive
generator and starter rebuilding center. In business for more than 50
years, they rebuild/overhaul every type of automotive, marine, trucking and
some aviation starter/generator units for experimental aircraft. They are
currently completing the paperwork to become an FAA approved repair
station. Their tech guy confirmed that the J&N replacement is a perfect
match for the old Delco-Remy 20 amp generator.
So, the J2N unit is not FAA certified but your IA and you should be able to
work out a solution acceptable to the FAA since the originalunit is no
longer available and the inexpensive J&N unit is a near exact copy that
works perfectly with the original generator. And they have a projected life
of around 500+ hours. For $25.00 plus a few bucks for UPS the J&N is the
way to go.
The only problem with the J&N unit is that is does not come with stc
paperwork. The units from Electrosystem available through Aircraft Spruce
may, or may not, be FAA approved. The Aircraft Spruce statement at the top
of page 241 does not list Electrosystems voltage regulators as FAA approved
- just the "alternator's, generators and starters" are lised as "Fully FAA
Approved".
So, it might be worthwhile to make sure the Aircraft Spruce unit is FAA
approved and has the stc paperwork if you are going to shell out the
$108.00 plus shipping. Otherwise you might be able to realize significant
savings if you order one from J&N for $25.00 and see if your IA will do a
337 for the installation. After all, the FAA does have some leeway when the
original part is no longer available. If you have an "experimental
aircraft" then the obvious choice is the J&N unit. Spend $25.00, bolt on
and go fly.
But, if you have a certified aircraft, get with your A&P mechanic and let
him decide which one to choose. It appears that either one will do the job
perfectly fine for many troublefree hours.
If you have the original Delco-remy 20 amp generator and you do not know
how long it has been in service, consider having it removed and the
armature shaft x-rayed for cracks or stress concentrations in the end where
the drive gear is attached. These units have been known to expereince shaft
failure just behind the drive gear, dropping the drive gear into the
accessory case while the engine is operating. I know - that is what
happened to me. Result - a total engine rebuild. Fortunately it did not
lock up the engine and I landed safely - but it could have. Have the
generator x-rayed at a certified FAA Repair station. It's cheap life
insurance. And, I am not the first to experience the above.
Sincerely,
Randall Reihing
RR
-----Original Message-----
From: Randall Reihing [mailto:rreihing@eng.utoledo.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, December 04, 2002 12:37 PM
To: taylorcraft@topica.com
Subject: Taylorcraft: Voltage Regulator
Toni. The original Delco Remy VR, part # 1118736E, for the DR 20 amp
generator, no longer exists. You can call a local Cessna dealer and ask for
the part number for a voltage regulator in a Cessna C140. They used the
same Delco Remy VR as the Taylorcrafts did. Using the Cessna part number,
the regulator is sometimes available from Preferred Airparts (see web site)
as New, Old Stock, when Preferred finds one in a buy out of someones
inventory. But generally speaking it is no longer to be found.
Now as for substitutes: Aircraft Spruce stocks a replacement unit listed on
page 240 of their 2001/2002 catalog, the one with the Luscombe on the
cover. Under "Electrosystems Voltage Regulators" in the middle of the page,
go to the 9'th item down with part number VR300-14-20, for $108.00. These
units are apparently manufactured by Kelly in Texas and sold through their
Electrosystems division. They are electronic regulators, not mechanical.
For a mechanical, 20 amp regulator, very close to the original equipment,
you can call J&N in Cincinnatti at 800-366-7100 Their nearly identical
replacement for the Delo-Remy 12 volt, 20 amp voltage regulator is part
number 231-1200-8. This is the replacement number that Delco-Remy lists in
their data book for the 1118736E. It is not an exact copy (and neither is
the one from Electrosystems) but it is very close. All the companies that
repair/service automotive electrical systems order from J&N and mark it up
around 200% when they sell it to you. However, J&N will sell direct to you
if you identify yourself as a "restorer". Just say your name and that you
are a restorer currently in need of a voltge regulator, part #
231-1200-8.........................
The original Delco-Remy regulator uses just one resistor on the base, has
heavy wire on the outer winding for the field coil relay, and the upper
contact points are replaceable.
On the J&N replacement units the upper set of contact points are no longer
replaceable, there are two resistors for the field coil relay and the outer
winding of the field coil is much smaller wire. But the unit works every
bit as well as the orignal and is fully compatible with the Delco-remy 20
amp generator.
Kelly Inc.,in Texas, revealed that they apparently own Electrosystems and
manufacture the voltage regulator's in Texas, selling them through the
Electrosystems division. Electrosystems technicians stated that their VR is
not an exact copy of the original Delco-Remy relay but has the same
performance parameters and should last around 1000 hours in normal useage.
The J&N Delco-Remy replacment is around $25.00 plus UPS shipping costs. It
appears to be a perfect match. I checked this with our local automotive
generator and starter rebuilding center. In business for more than 50
years, they rebuild/overhaul every type of automotive, marine, trucking and
some aviation starter/generator units for experimental aircraft. They are
currently completing the paperwork to become an FAA approved repair
station. Their tech guy confirmed that the J&N replacement is a perfect
match for the old Delco-Remy 20 amp generator.
So, the J2N unit is not FAA certified but your IA and you should be able to
work out a solution acceptable to the FAA since the originalunit is no
longer available and the inexpensive J&N unit is a near exact copy that
works perfectly with the original generator. And they have a projected life
of around 500+ hours. For $25.00 plus a few bucks for UPS the J&N is the
way to go.
The only problem with the J&N unit is that is does not come with stc
paperwork. The units from Electrosystem available through Aircraft Spruce
may, or may not, be FAA approved. The Aircraft Spruce statement at the top
of page 241 does not list Electrosystems voltage regulators as FAA approved
- just the "alternator's, generators and starters" are lised as "Fully FAA
Approved".
So, it might be worthwhile to make sure the Aircraft Spruce unit is FAA
approved and has the stc paperwork if you are going to shell out the
$108.00 plus shipping. Otherwise you might be able to realize significant
savings if you order one from J&N for $25.00 and see if your IA will do a
337 for the installation. After all, the FAA does have some leeway when the
original part is no longer available. If you have an "experimental
aircraft" then the obvious choice is the J&N unit. Spend $25.00, bolt on
and go fly.
But, if you have a certified aircraft, get with your A&P mechanic and let
him decide which one to choose. It appears that either one will do the job
perfectly fine for many troublefree hours.
If you have the original Delco-remy 20 amp generator and you do not know
how long it has been in service, consider having it removed and the
armature shaft x-rayed for cracks or stress concentrations in the end where
the drive gear is attached. These units have been known to expereince shaft
failure just behind the drive gear, dropping the drive gear into the
accessory case while the engine is operating. I know - that is what
happened to me. Result - a total engine rebuild. Fortunately it did not
lock up the engine and I landed safely - but it could have. Have the
generator x-rayed at a certified FAA Repair station. It's cheap life
insurance. And, I am not the first to experience the above.
Sincerely,
Randall Reihing
RR