Linear vs non linear voltage regulator

[skysailor]

I am building a Glasair and it is about time to start the electrical system. I do not have an alternator yet. My question is about the power required by the Dynon as I plan to get a D180, D100 and HS34 (maybe AP76). I do have the B&C voltage regulator. They make a big deal out of the fact it is a "linear" voltage regulator. The alternators they sell which are suitable for external regulation are almost $500. Meanwhile, many of the folks in my community use Mitsubishi automotive alternators (about $100). These alternators are internally regulated. B&C says they are not regulated in a linear fashion. The term B&C uses to describe their regulation escapes me at the moment. My neighbors installations are trouble free and have a proven long term reliability. The rub is that none of them are running Dynons. The one neighbor who has a D100 has not fired up the system yet using the aircraft provided power.

How sensitive is the Dynon to a non linear voltage regulator? Does it even care?

 

[meljordan]

As Dynon specs their products for 10V to 30V, it is a safe bet that they don't care very much about the linearity of the voltage input. There are thousands of Dynon units flying with non-linear internally regulated automotive alternators and they work just fine. Modern electronics have power supply circuits that are very robust and can handle wide input voltage deviations, they do the regulation needed internally. My plane has over 850 Dynon (and Garmin) hours with a internally regulated automotive alternator and it works just fine.

Best Regards,
Mel Jordan

 

[skysailor]

That jibes with what I thought might be the case. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[dynonsupport]

As Mel says, we don't care or have any sensitivity to either system. Probably 60-70% of the planes out there that we are in have standard automotive alternators. We're even 100% fine with you leaving all your Dynon equipment on during engine crank. We've never once heard of this causing a problem and we specifically design for it.

 

[DBRV10]

Buy a PLANE POWER alternator, good unit and a fair price!