Any Unknown or Unlisted Aircraft Manufacturer
Communication Breakdown
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Aircraft
Departed ZZZ at XA:27Z for anticipated 2:30 hour flight at 6000' into 28 knot headwind. IFR flight plan. Weather 3000' broken to scattered; tops 5000'-7000; visibility at least 10 miles once got across the border.Checked in with Approach; then inadequate electrical power to transmit or receive. Squawked 7600.At usual point about 45nm ENE of ZZZ2 where typically get descent to 3000'. I descended to 2500'; fine VMC. Used cell phone to call 800WXBRIEF; told of the problem. Got weather and active runway for ZZZ2. Advised that I would approach from north.In VMC (but hot; humid; and bumpy) I flew north then west of ZZZ3 about 5nm.With POH open for guidance; I manually had extended the landing gear just NE of ZZZ3.Got steady green light from tower.Landed (no flaps; cross-wind) without problem.Telephoned tower to thank all who helped (goodness knows how many behind-the-scenes folk there were); explained loss of electrical power.Glad that had:(1) good VMC beneath;(2) practiced manual extension of landing gear;(3) cell phone (much more practical to use than hand-held portable radio);(4) experience of many trips in the area;(5) ADS-B-in data onto iPad (powered independently of buss bar voltage); with moving map; and;(6) 5+hours of remaining fuel; when landed.Frustrated that nil cell phone service for about 50 miles; until descended to 2500'.
Pilot reported losing electrical power and getting a green light for landing clearance.