I continue to see posts in VansAirForce form
about voltage regulators failing. I have
printed off the recommendations for testing the system if the regulator seems
to be out. In addition I have been
thinking about a better way to cool the regulator. My thoughts are that if the blast tube from
the shroud on top of the engine were relocated to the cowl duct it might
provide a cooler air supply. Also, if
the attachment to the cowl duct is made so it is a scoop in the airstream it
may improve the cooling effect. I may be
all wet, but I decided to try it out.
For
the scoop I purchased a ½” – 45o PVC slip fitting. I removed the upper and lower cowlings. I also disconnected the blast tube from the engine
cooling shroud. I inserted a plug and
put RTV over it to seal the plug in place.
I drilled a hole in the top of the lower
cowling duct tunnel about 6” in front of the damper. I used JB Quick Weld to attach the slip
fitting to the cowling. I cut the end of
the fitting into which the blast tube will fit with the band saw. I cut the fitting so a screw clamp can compress
the end of the fitting and hold the blast tube in place. I put RTV around the end of the blast tube
for a good seal to the fitting. Now when
the end of the tube is placed in the slip fitting and the clamp tightened it
will not pull out.
I then mixed some epoxy resin, cut some
fiberglass and laid up some fiberglass over the fitting to secure it to the
cowling. I put fiberglass on both the
top and bottom of the fitting where it goes through the upper wall of the duct. I will let the fiberglass cure overnight and
reinstall the cowlings and connect the blast tube tomorrow.
