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2 Answers

28v battery and 14 v alternator

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Aircraft Systems

Alternator failed in Cessna 182 which has a 28v system. The alternator is a 14 v 60a one, is this correct. Everything I read say the volts should be higher than the battery. It does have a voltage regulator.  I’m confused

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2 Answers



  1. vaflyer on Sep 15, 2018

    Batteries are either 12V or 24V and alternators are either 14V (for a 12V battery) or 28V (for a 24V battery). The battery voltage must be less than the alternator of the battery will be powering everything and will not be charging. You can’t have a 28V battery and a 14V alternator.

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  2. John D Collins on Sep 15, 2018

    What is the alternator part number? The aircraft serial number? Certainly a 14 volt alternator system installed in a 28 volt aircraft is not correct and at a minimum would explain an alternator failure. All the system components must match voltage including the aircraft wiring, systems, avionics, lights, starter, the battery, the alternator, and the voltage regulator. If the alternator was just installed, someone made a major error.

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