BeechTalk - BT

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Feb 2022, 11:48

Working on our annual this year, we pulled the alternator to send it in for overhaul. But, now what to do with that gaping hole in the side of the engine? I designed and 3D-printed this cover for it. It comes in at 3/8" thick and should fit any alternator pad with a similar gasket. It's made out of ABS plastic, which is hardy enough, but not so hardy as to withstand many of the solvents we use on our airplanes.

I'm happy to print one for anyone else for $30 + shipping. PM me with your choice of red or black. Or, if you have access to a 3D printer, here's a link to the STL file so that you can load it into your slicer. https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYPRiLPpY-Eg8BXoQg95UL8sxhlbw?e=fuL7CK

My airplane details:
- 1968 VTail Bonanza (V35A)
- TCM IO-550-B Engine
- Alternator gasket: TCM 657450 <== This is probably the most important thing to match

For those who will print their own:
- Printer: Lulzbot Mini2
- Material: IC3D ABS 2.85 Black
- Material: Hatchbox ABS 2.85 Red
- Layer height: .35mm
- Infill: 20%

NOTE: This cover comes as-is and with absolutely no warranty at all for any purpose. For all I know, it'll invite dirt and bugs and cause irreparable harm to your engine, even though that seems unlikely.

ANOTHER NOTE: The STL file is provided under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA license. Check out Creative Commons Licenses here: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 17 Feb 2022, 12:43

Make it red or orange or yellow or something other than black.

I mean, not that you'd forget to install the alternator, but... if it's not supposed to be on an airworthy engine and you're installing it for mx purposes, make it stand out. I have an old battery (that works for mx purposes, but I wouldn't trust it to start my plane away from home) that I swap out when I'm doing gear swings so as not to stress the good battery. The top is painted pink, and it's got a streamer that sticks out of the battery box.