Brief Description: Alternator Field and Download ACS2002 Data
During the first engine run one of the problems discovered was that the alternator wasn't putting out power. Today I tracked down the source of the porblem. When the aircraft was powered there was no power to the alternator field. I checked the continuity of the wiring back from the alternator to the start switch, through two quick-disconnect connections and to the circuit breaker. I found that the connection pin at one of the quick-disconnects was missing. No power was available to the alternator field so the field was never energized. I crawled under the panel and made a repair to the connector.
I had these quick-disconnects installed behind the panel so that in the event of maintenance I could remove a section of the panel for access. The quick-disconnects would allow more freedom to remove or at least slide the panel section out for better access. When I had Pacific Aero do the basic assembly of the panel I had them wire these quick-disconnects. I don't know how they messed this up or why they didn't test their wiring job afterward. I had earlier discovered another wiring mistake by Pacific Aero in the comm system. Both problems were easy enough to fix, but took some time to track down. Not the result I expect when I pay a professional for the job! These are the only problems I have discovered (yet). Of course I still have to get flying and see how it goes with all the navigation systems.
Today I also connected my laptop to the ACS2002 engine monitoring system and downloaded the data from the first engine start. The ACS records data every 5 seconds and keeps the last two hours in it's memory and available for downloading. It should be a useful tool during the testing phase.
