Cardinal 177/177RG
Flight Crew Private; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 13; Flight Crew Total 1284; Flight Crew Type 509
Distraction; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
Filed IFR flight plan. Upon preflight check; found battery dead. FBO assisted in starting aircraft with my jumper cables and their tug. Lineman connected cables backwards on tug battery. Problem corrected after two attempts to start plane. Plane started successfully. All systems appeared operational - battery charging from alternator at 13.2 Volts. Idled on ground checking additional systems - radios; GPS; flaps; etc. Contacted Tower and cancelled IFR flight plan to ZZZ; requested flight advisories to ZZZ1; altitude 5;500 MSL. Taxi/run up normal. Took off; climbing somewhere between 100-400 AGL went to retract landing gear and experienced total electrical system failure.Turned left; climbed to 2;500 MSL and began racetrack pattern south of [departure airport]. Attempted to contact FSS via cellphone and became frustrated with inability to navigate automated FSS phone options to contact a live person. Found Tower number in my cellphone. Called and an Air Traffic Controller answered. Advised of my situation and said I would look for light signals. I first wanted to work through manual procedures to make sure landing gear was down/locked. Communication was difficult. Bluetooth connection to headphones not able to maintain connection. Used cellphone without headset with significant background engine noise.Completed gear check; maneuvered to left downwind; looked for light signals; and was unable to visualize. Called back to tower and was connected to voice mail then multiple busy signals. Finally got someone to answer. Found out later the number I had was for a manager's office that isn't always occupied. Was given phone number direct to tower controllers and I transcribed it wrong. Asked by ATC to leave phone on and I responded unable.Before hanging up; expressed concern about nose gear being fully engaged. Advised by tower to make low approach. Upon completion; made phone contact with tower again on initial manager's line and was advised gear appeared in position. Was given clearance to land. Never looked again for light signals.Landing successfully and uneventfully. Tower manager met me on apron. No additional reporting required.
C177 pilot reported an electrical failure after takeoff followed by cellphone contact with ATC and a return to the departure airport.