iBBS switch and operation?

[40m]

During flight yesterday I picked up a "IBBS Low Voltage" alarm, switching to the engine monitoring page the IBBS voltage was reading 11.1 volts occasionally jumping rather quickly up +3-4 volts in the ribbon. Didn't last the entire flight. Anyone experienced this or suggestions where to start?

Thanks,
VT Glenn

[Pete D]

During flight yesterday I picked up a "IBBS Low Voltage" alarm, switching to the engine monitoring page the IBBS voltage was reading 11.1 volts occasionally jumping rather quickly up +3-4 volts in the ribbon. Didn't last the entire flight. Anyone experienced this or suggestions where to start?

Thanks,
VT Glenn

Make sure the IBBS Charging breaker is not popped out.

Take a look at the connector on the IBBS, I have seen one that had some corrosion on the connector & pins. The battery and connector on the harness ended up being changed out. If that is all clean, possible the IBBS needs to be changed, how old is it calendar time?

[Daveembry]

Sorry Glenn, I just saw this post and I had the identical thing happen to me last year. I would be flying along and then get a quick alert just as you did. Now I don’t recall if it was an “IBBS” or just “Low Voltage” alarm.

When I would get it, I would switch over quickly to the EIS page and everything would be normal.

It would do it erratically but seemed like at least once every hour. So I finally just left the EIS page up and waiting until it happened again and very quickly looked. Over and saw it drop down to -3 or so volts.

I got with Cub Crafters and we downloaded the data from the SD card and I put it on an Excel sheet and examined it when it was happening. It was lasting only a second or 2 or 3 with a very quick drop and then right back up. My thoughts were perhaps a failing voltage regulator as I had heard a few friends had the same thing happened and they replaced their alternator.

What we found out was that it was apparently a Garmin bug in the program. They fixed it in a few days or so and the update cured the problem.

So if you haven’t solved your problem, maybe try that. Do a system update and see if that fixes it.

During flight yesterday I picked up a "IBBS Low Voltage" alarm, switching to the engine monitoring page the IBBS voltage was reading 11.1 volts occasionally jumping rather quickly up +3-4 volts in the ribbon. Didn't last the entire flight. Anyone experienced this or suggestions where to start?

Thanks,
VT Glenn

[40m]

Sorry Glenn, I just saw this post and I had the identical thing happen to me last year. I would be flying along and then get a quick alert just as you did. Now I don’t recall if it was an “IBBS” or just “Low Voltage” alarm.

When I would get it, I would switch over quickly to the EIS page and everything would be normal.

It would do it erratically but seemed like at least once every hour. So I finally just left the EIS page up and waiting until it happened again and very quickly looked. Over and saw it drop down to -3 or so volts.

I got with Cub Crafters and we downloaded the data from the SD card and I put it on an Excel sheet and examined it when it was happening. It was lasting only a second or 2 or 3 with a very quick drop and then right back up. My thoughts were perhaps a failing voltage regulator as I had heard a few friends had the same thing happened and they replaced their alternator.

What we found out was that it was apparently a Garmin bug in the program. They fixed it in a few days or so and the update cured the problem.

So if you haven’t solved your problem, maybe try that. Do a system update and see if that fixes it.

As of now the IBBS won't power the G3X at all.

[Daveembry]

As of now the IBBS won't power the G3X at all.

Really? Then it must be the battery bad or connections. Did you pull that right panel? My guess is one of the connectors to the battery came loose. They aren’t very good and tight spade type connectors.

[jmorrical]

I have searched the Forum to find the best thread to "Reply To".

When I switch the IBBS - On it does not power the G3X. G3X will powers up when I switch the Master - On. With the G3X powered the IBBS Volts is Zero as expected. When the IBBS is switched ON normal IBBS voltage is shown. I have seen 13.7-14.2V depending if the Optimate charger is connected to my EarthX ship battery. Am I reading real IBBS battery volts or some other ship power source, ie. battery, alternator or charger?

• The 10 Amp fuse that protects the charging circuit of the back up battery - good.
• The 15 pin DSub connector at the back up battery has no corrosion or pin damage.

I connected the charger to the ship battery and attempted to charge the IBBS battery for two hours with the Master and IBBS - ON. Is this sound thinking or a waste of time. A friend suggests just flying it to see if alternator charge might be the fix.

Is there a battery management integral to the IBBS? Could it be some fault there that will not allow the battery to switch on? Internal IBBS power must make it turn on.

Talked to TWC Technologies about my fault. Last resort they suggest I send it to them to test.

Comments or ideas?

[Andy]

The IBBS, as installed in CubCrafters aircraft, does not enable power output unless it senses that the charging input voltage is less than about 11.5 volts. When Master is off and IBBS in switched on that condition is met and the IBBS powers GDU, GSU and GEA.

IBBS battery voltage is measured at a separate pin from the power output pins. IBBS volts is output whenever IBBS is switched on and does not need output power to be enabled.

From your description it sounds as though there is a fault in charge voltage sensing or output enabling.

When I had a fault with my IBBS they fixed it at no charge. My cost was shipping both ways.