Thread: Voltage Readout NFG - Blade Connector Pulling Out

We have been experiencing consistent loss of charging voltage on a new CTLS. Inspection of the charging system reveals the mulit-pin connector at the voltage regulator allows the 1st and 2nd female blade connectors (in from the firewall) to slip back thru the plastic connector housing and dislodge from their male connectors on the regulator. Has anyone experienced this and if so, are there any suggestions, other than installing a new mulit-pin connector that might retain the blade connectors? We have "tweaked" the little tab on the backside of the female blade connector to get it to grab the plastic connector housing and then reinstalled the connectors but this only works for a few hours then the female blade connector backs out of the plastic connector housing. It takes a lot of the fun out of flying when the battery voltage slowly goes down below 10 volts.

Dick

I strongly suggest that you get the dealer to correct this under warranty. If it is a manufacturing or design defect, FD needs the feedback to fix the problem for other customers. And if you futz around with it too much and can't fix it, they could decline to cover it.

Dick,
What is the serial number of your LS?

My note was sent to understand if this is an isolated problem or if others are experiencing this. No modifications are being done and the plane is scheduled for inspection by dealer.

Dick

Hi Dick,

This is not a common problem. First I have heard of this one on a CT.

my connectors along with my regulator burned up.

the new ducati regulator came with new connectors and the replacement was easy.

Roger and Charlile Tango, thanks for the replies. Charlie Tango, would you know if the mulit-pin blade connector installed with your Ducati repair was the same as the one burnt up, or was a Ducati connector installed along with the Ducati regulator?

i think the ducati connector was used but seemed to be the same as original

Hey Dick,
I have heard of a few instances where a non-charging sitiuation has happend on other aircraft than CTs and it is usually due to improper wiring by the installer (which is propably not the case) lose connections on the Connector housing PN-965-335 $23.23 or the voltage regualtor is bad PN-965 347 $170.45 ..... Since it is always better to find the root of a problem rather then through parts at it heres what I reccommend for a standard practice anytime your have voltage charging issues

STEP 1) VERIFY SOLID CONNECTIONS OF THE GENERATOR SYSTEM (REFERENCE THE 912 WIRING INSTLLATION DIAGRAM) IN THE INSTALLATION MANUEL.

STEP 2) RULE OUT THE A STATOR MALFUNCTION AS BEING THE CAUSE BY FIRST REMOVING THE 2 YELLOW WIRES FROM THE CONNECTOR HOUSING ANC CHECK THE RESISTANCE BETWEEN THEN SHOULD BE BETWEEN 0.1-0.8 OHMS THEN CHECK BETWEEN EITHER OF THE TWO WIRES AND ENG GROUND AND RESISTANCE SHOULD BE INFINATE

STEP 3) START THE ENG AND READ ACCROSS THE 2 YELLOW WIRES AND MAKE SURE THAT "A/C" VOLATGE IS BEING GENERATED AND SUPPLIED TO THE REGULATOR

STEP 4) SET A MULTIMETER TO "D/C" AND CHECK THE "B+" TERMINAL TO VERIFY THAT THE REGULATOR IS OUT PUTTING 12-14.5 VDC

STEP 5) TRACE WIRING FROM REGULATOR ---> BUS--->VOLTMETER IN COCKPIT, CHECK FOR BRECKS IN THE LINE

YOU HAVE NOW TROUBLE SHOOTED THE ENTIRE SYSTEM, IF ANY OF THE TEST FAIL YOU KNOW WHERE YOU NEED TO SPEND YOUR MONEY, A GOOD MECHANIC IS AN EFFICENT MECHANIC !

Jeremy, thanks for the good trouble shooting procedure. At the time of the 25 hour inspection, the intermittent voltage was known but the tendency of the connectors to dislodge or "back out" of the plastic connector was not known. Only recently we have discovered that when the voltage starts to consistently show "no charge" inspection of the blade connectors show a few to be dislodged. When connectors are re-attached, the voltage readout functions properly. The CTLS's owner expects that a permanent remedy will be found by the dealership when it does the 100 hour inspection.

Dick