EMS D10 Alternator Fail Warning

[nobubbles63]

Is there any way to monitor possible alternator failure using one of the contact inputs on the EMS. The Plane Power alternator has a L wire to feed an alternator failure warning light on the panel. Could this be configured on one of the contact inputs (pins 9,10)? As I understand it, the circuit is normally fed 12V from the bus and when all is good the light is out as 12V is produced from alt and cancels the 12v flow from bus. However. when power is either off to the alt or alt fails the wire is grounded at the alt, light on. I have the shunt monitoring the system in Pos A so will give an indication of alt failure as voltage drops, but was just considering whether this is an option. All GP inputs already in use.
Thanks

 

[jakej]

IMO the simplest way to monitor Alternator failure is via the volts alarm set at approx 13 volts in the EMS, no wiring required. Another option (my preferred) is not to have the PP unit fitted at all, it's just a matter of time before it fails or worse causes damage. Another poster had his fail 2 days ago taking out some other avionics temporarily. YMMV

 

[DBRV10]

The VP-X takes out the other avionics by shouting them down with a short circuit fault. The VP-X is more diagnostic than anyone realises

 

[jakej]

The VP-X takes out the other avionics by shouting them down with a short circuit fault. The VP-X is more diagnostic than anyone realises

That's one of the reasons I've been using them as a 'bus' system for so many years

 

[Raymo]

@nobubbles63

Yes, you can hook the PP white wire to the EMS and set it up as a contact. When the ALT is offline, it sends a ground to the contact. See page 7-70 of the installation manual for contact configuration. It is the same for pitot heat and other types of relay triggers (e.g. smoke). The shunt wired into the EMS provides AMPs. As mentioned above, also set your volts to warn when below 13-13.5 volts. Alternator output should be in the 13.9-14.5 range.

 

[nobubbles63]

@nobubbles63

Yes, you can hook the PP white wire to the EMS and set it up as a contact. When the ALT is offline, it sends a ground to the contact. See page 7-70 of the installation manual for contact configuration. It is the same for pitot heat and other types of relay triggers (e.g. smoke). The shunt wired into the EMS provides AMPs. As mentioned above, also set your volts to warn when below 13-13.5 volts. Alternator output should be in the 13.9-14.5 range.

Ray,
Thanks for this advice. One final question...having wired into the EMS can you configure the screen warning to show "alt fail" or something similar?

Derek

 

[Raymo]

Yes, you can configure the text on the widget. I did. Same for the EarthX battery widget.

 

[nobubbles63]

Yes, you can configure the text on the widget. I did. Same for the EarthX battery widget.

Thanks again Ray, When I get a chance to get to the aircraft I'm going to give that a go.
Derek