Piper CHEROKEE 180 Owner's Handbook Manual page 15

SECTION II CHEROKEE 180
The
alternator
system
offers
many
advantages over
the
generator
system
both in
operation and maintenance.
The
main
advantage
is full
electrical
power
output at
lower
engine RPM.
This is
a
great
improvement for
radio and electrical equipment operation.
Since
the
alternator output
is
available
at all times,
the
battery
will
be
charging
for a
greater percentage
of
use.
This
will make
cold-morning
starting
easier.
Standard accessories include
a starter,
electric
fuel
pump,
stall
warning
indicator,
cigar
lighter,
fuel
gauge
and ammeter.
The
navigation
lights,
anti-collision
light, landing light, instrument
lighting
and cabin
dome light
are optional. Circuits will
handle
an entire complement of
communications
and
navigational equipment.
The
words "master
switch"
used
hereafter in
this manual
indicate
both sides
of the switch,
battery
side
"BAT"
and alternator
side
"ALT"
are
to
be depressed
simultaneously
to
OFF or ON as directed.
Unlike
previous generator
systems,
the ammeter
does
not
indicate
battery discharge;
rather it
displays in amperes
the
load
placed
on the
alternator.
With
all electrical
equipment
off
(except master
switch)
the
ammeter
will
be
indicating
the amount of charging current
demanded
by
the
battery.
As
each
item
of electrical
equipment
is
turned on, the
current
will
increase
to a total appearing on the ammeter.
This
total
includes
the
battery. The
maximum continuous
load for
night
flight,
with radios
on,
is
about
30
amperes.
This 30
ampere
value,
plus
approximately
two
amperes
for a
fully
charged
battery,
will appear
continuously
under these
flight
conditions.
The
amount of current
shown
on the ammeter will tell
immediately if
the alternator system
is
operating
normally,
as the
amount
of
current
shown should
equal the
total amperage
drawn by
the equipment which
is
operating.
If no output
is indicated
on the ammeter
during flight,
reduce the
electrical
load by
turning
off
all unnecessary
electrical
equipment.
Check
both
5 ampere field breaker
and
60
ampere output
breaker
and
reset
if
open.
If
neither circuit
breaker
is
open, turn off the "ALT"
switch for 30 seconds
to reset the
overvoltage
relay.
If
ammeter
continues
to
indicate
no
output, maintain
minimum
electrical load and
terminate
flight
as
soon
as
practical.
Maintenance
on
the
alternator
should
prove
to
be a
minor
factor.
Should service be
required, contact
the
local
Piper Dealer.
761 513
10
730122