Howdy,

I fear the alternator or voltage regulator or both on my Lancair 360 (N754RP) have flown this mortal coil.  I took the engine cowlings off and inspected the alternator, the belt on the alternator, and the bracket to which the alternator is mounted, and naturally and of course everything looks fine.  But the panel is showing 21 volts not 24 or higher, and the batteries are drained. 

I did discover what appears to be a grounding wire in a cluster of wires at the backside of the alternator, and that wire is not grounded to anything, however another grounding wire (not in either of the attached photos) firmly is. I suspect the first grounding wire is extraneous and always has been. 

I think it best to go ahead and get replacements, whether I end up installing them in the next day or so, or six months from now, or a year or two from now. (With this airplane, I've learned that having a warehouse of spare parts is a good idea. Unfortunately, I don't have a warehouse, nor one full of spare parts for the airplane, but the way things are going I will someday.)

Due to the position of the alternator on the engine, short of removing it I am unable to determine the manufacturer or model, and I'm not quite ready to remove it yet until the professionals who are going to examine the electrical system tell me I need to. 

I ask for recommendations about what manufacturer/model alternator and voltage regulator to get as replacements for my airplane. As can be seen from the photo, the current alternator is belt-driven, and is affixed to a sliding-type bracket at the prop end of the engine. I should obtain one or two new alternator belts while I am at it, and I ask for recommendations on this, too.

Thank you.

T.W. Davidson