Mounting Location of B & C Regulator

[Vandy12]

Hey folks -

I'm getting ready to install the PMR-3 regulator that came with my B and C 30-amp alternator (the "orange" one).  Any thoughts/hints about the best location?

I need cooling airflow, so maybe right on the firewall where the original builder had the "Ford" regulator from back in the day, but B and C says it can't get to more than 220 degrees.

Perhaps out on the spar, in between the engine and the aileron turnbuckle?  But now it's outside of the baffling....

Thoughts or opinions - OR BETTER YET, PHOTOS - would be appreciated!

Brian

[EZRider]

Mine is mounted in the nose.

[dkreidel]

In the nose

[go ez]

Hi again Brian

I have mounted mine on the firewall at low level just above the NACA scoop deflector.  This is an area of ambient temp  inlet air with a fair degree of turbulence so the cooling there should actually be very good. I mounted it sideways (wire connector on the side) so the fins are vertical which aids air convection / avoids air stagnation between the fins.

Positioning it in the nose requires running full fore-aft length 3 x #14 wire gauge wires (minimum I'd say to avoid excess voltage drop - the resistance between each pair of blue AC alternator wires is only 0.3 ohms).

Air in the nose may also be a bit warmer and less turbulent there.

A dollop of heat transfer paste between the regulator and the metal firewall  will also directly conduct a fair degree of heat away from the regulator to the large surface area of the firewall which is itself cooled by the incoming ambient air.

If you are really worried, stick a few temperature indicating strips to the regulator body - that will tell you the maximimum temperature that the regulator reaches.

Ultimately the regulator has built-in thermal shut down capability.

I can post / send you a photo shortly if desired.

A great bit of kit!

Regards
Steve
UK

[Vandy12]

Thanks for the inputs - I think I will go with the firewall location.  Just don't want to run the extra wiring, and I've also saved weight since I replaced the old generator with the alternator.

Steve, I would like to see any/all photos you have about this - Thanks!

Brian