SMA LOSS OF ELECTRICAL PWR LANDS AT DESTINATION WITH HELP FROM CTLR.

Narrative

DURING A NIGHT IFR FLT IN VMC CONDITIONS FROM TOL TO MGY; I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE PANEL LIGHTS FLICKER. A SHORT TIME LATER THE ALTERNATOR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND THE PANEL LIGHTS DIMMED. AN ATTEMPT TO RESET THE ALTERNATOR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. I REDUCED THE ELECTRICAL LOAD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I HAD SOME DIFFICULTY RAISING DAYTON APCH; BUT WAS ABLE TO INFORM THEM OF THE PROBLEM. THEY GAVE ME COURSE AND ALT INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ARPT IN CASE WE LOST CONTACT. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT AT TIMES THEY WERE HEARING MY TRANSMISSIONS; BUT I WAS NOT ALWAYS HEARING THEIRS. THIS RESULTED IN SOME CONFUSION AND I MAY HAVE ACCIDENTLY INTERFERED WITH ACTIVITY ON THE FREQ I WASN'T HEARING. DUE TO A BIT OF PREOCCUPATION WITH THE COMS PROBLEM; I DRIFTED SLIGHTLY W OF MY ASSIGNED COURSE AND DAYTON VECTORED ME BACK. WHEN I SIGHTED THE ARPT; I CANCELLED IFR AND LANDED. I WROTE UP THE MALFUNCTION AND INFORMED THE ACFT CREW CHIEF. WHILE THE SITUATION WAS HANDLED WELL FOR THE MOST PART; I DID LET MYSELF BECOME SOMEWHAT PREOCCUPIED WITH A FAIRLY MINOR PROBLEM.