Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 85; Flight Crew Total 85; Flight Crew Type 85
Communication Breakdown; Situational Awareness; Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Aircraft; Procedure; Human Factors
After realizing electrical systems were failing with imminent loss of comms; transponder was squawked to reflect situation. Due turbulence during the turn back to departure airport and small size of the unit buttons; 7700 was initially entered. After shutting down entire electrical system and restarting with only radios; remaining battery power was sufficient to realize and correct squawk code to 7600. Communication with [ATC] center via relay with another flight inbound due to poor transmit power off batteries.Alternator circuit was found tripped upon landing; reset; and electrical system returned to normal; alternator was able to charge battery. Alternator fault was likely a result of overloading the circuit by turning on all aircraft lights during previous landing. Ammeter reading did not show a charge; but also no discharge during run up.Being a low hour pilot; prevention of this situation is obvious to inexperience. Familiarity with breaker panel would have likely allowed correction immediate without requiring to declare loss of comms. Knowing the load limits of the alternator would have prevented the circuit fault. Double checking transponder code would have prevented incorrect squawk code. Since this is a new aircraft to the pilot; further familiarization with systems is required. Paying closer attention to why a small indication is abnormal rather than expecting a failure to present in a specific fashion would prevent the larger failure or potential emergency.
The pilot of a C172 returned to the departure airport after experiencing the loss of electrical power due to an overloaded generator. The pilot did not initially recognize the tripped generator circuit breaker.