Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 6800; Flight Crew Type 550
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
On the initial climb I noticed fuel gauges showed lower than during the preflight; then I noticed the left generator inoperative light on that was followed by flickering of the PFD and MFD displays on both pilot and co-pilot sides.  I informed the Co-Pilot to tell ATC that we were heading back and to lower the landing gear.  ATC asked if we wanted to declare an emergency; we declined.  When the Co-Pilot attempted to lower the gear the panel lost all electrical power and communication was lost.  I shut the master and generators off and reset them back on.  We regained electrical power out of both generators.  We advised ATC that we had regained electrical power and they asked our intentions.  We advised them that we would continue to our destination.  ATC gave us vectors to the north and we started the turn except that PFD's were still getting aligned and magnetic compass was spinning.  Seconds later we regained heading information in our PFD's and resumed the flight.
King Air Captain experiences a left generator inoperative light on; that was followed by flickering of the PFD and MFD displays on both pilot and co-pilot sides.  The Captain instructs the First Officer to lower the landing gear which apparently kills the entire electrical system.  The electrical system is successfully reset and flight continues to destination.