[Dale]

Dale on August 1, 2025 at 1:53 am #23250

Hi Steve,

A reply with pictures!! Even better, thank you for your experience and details.

I’ve also heard from others, and I think I recall reading in Aviation Consumer, that some of the newer alternators create a “cleaner” / “less noisy” power. Helpful to the increased digital avionics and radios.

It’s looking good that we will explore these as replacements.

[STEVE]

STEVE on August 1, 2025 at 12:55 am #23249

Hi Dale,
I replaced the 50 amp generator on my Piper Comanche with a Plane Power SAL 12-70 alternator in 2014. The installation kit fit perfectly. Although I don’t fly a lot, it’s been fault free for 320 hours since I installed it. 
My Comanche has a Lycoming O-360 4 cylinder engine. 
Not only has the alternator been fault free; it has 20 more amps output capacity than the generator I removed; it’s also 8 pounds lighter.
Steve

Attachments:

• PlanePowerAlternator.jpg

[Dale]

Dale on July 31, 2025 at 12:22 am #23246

Thank you, Eric.

[Eric Parks]

Eric Parks on July 30, 2025 at 4:40 am #23244

Dale,

My Apache already had the Plane Power alternators on it when I got it. So I have no experience in installing them but I have had no issues with them in the time I’ve owned the plane so at least I can say they work! My Apache as well as my Experimental Bearhawk also have the Sky Tech starters which are made by the “sister” company and I have dealt with them and have had good experience that company.

Eric

[Dale]

Dale on July 29, 2025 at 10:47 pm #23243

Does anyone have experience converting to lightweight alternators in their Piper?

Lightweight Alternators: