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Re: Battery issue
I don’t remember where I got it from but I usually wait at least 30 minutes to let things stabilize before checking anything. If the last thing I do for the day is disconnect the battery charger then the battery gets checked in the morning.
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Administrator
Re: Battery issue
I never knew it mattered. I always checked it after the battery charger kicked off. Realize that aircraft batteries use a higher specific gravity acid than aircraft batteries. Had a local guy who would buy dry batteries and then use battery acid he procured locally. His batteries had a shorter life than normal.
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Re: Battery issue
Specific gravity may not matter but I have seen voltage differences. Now that I think about it, I don't guess I ever used a specific gravity tester after charging. I was taught to check charge with a multi-meter and use a load tester for condition. Fresh off the charger would show 13+ but only 12.5 or so a while later or the next day (if it keeps decreasing with nothing connected that is a good indicator of a bad battery too). I have always bought batteries and acid together. I have caught guys adding acid instead of distilled water after putting the battery in service. That shortens battery life too. As does using the alternator to charge a dead battery. I don't know anyone who would put a dead battery on the bench and charge it to full at 30 or 40 amps but I know plenty of people willing to boil the electrolyte out in the airplane when there is no need (then not check it until annual).
A good quality battery tender can extend battery life on a generator system or low use aircraft. I have seen alternator conversions make a big difference which makes sense since they do a better job keeping a battery fully charged. Removing the battery and slow charging at annual seems to help. In short, if you want any battery to last then it needs to be kept charged and serviced. AGM batteries don't need electrolyte checked or added so they tend to last longer on that point alone. They also seem to be more forgiving of charging abuses(?) but that could just be a by-product of always having the correct amount of electrolyte.
The 24v battery (yes, I should be calling it 28v) I mentioned above sits idle without a tender for 4 to 5 months a year, I check electrolyte 2 or 3 times a year, add only distilled water when needed and slow charge it once a year before the first start. It load tested like a new battery so I am curious just how long it will last. The charging system on this airplane has been very good.
I have a specific gravity tester I use when setting up new batteries. I will have to play with it some for batteries already in service.
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Administrator
Re: Battery issue
I didn't have a load tester for quite a while. Now all the batteries are sealed so the specific gravity checker doesn't get used anymore. I have a friend that was an electrician in the Navy in WWII. He said they would dump the acid out of the batteries and fill with distilled water and charged and keep doing that until the plates are cleaned and then they put in acid and used the batteries again.
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Re: Battery issue
That’s an idea I may have to try. I have 4 old batteries I could experiment with if they didn’t freeze.
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Re: Battery issue
Almost 24 hours since charge.
12.7v SG 1.175 or close on all cells. Load test seems good.
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Re: Battery issue
If you decide to replace the battery, I recommend the Powersafe or Odyssey SBS-J16 battery.
https://www.osibatteries.com/p-18700...iABEgIMKPD_BwE
https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...CABEgJ9zPD_BwE
Costs less ($168~$187), weighs half as much (15.4 lbs) and works great.
To be 100% legal you need the STC from Svenn's, $155.
http://svennsaviation.com/stcs/battery/
Several of us in #hangarbravothree have installed these and they are a clear improvement over classic Gill or Concord.
Glen
Glen Geller
1955 PA22-150 "One For Papa!"
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Re: Battery issue
I love how everyone on this site uses the "Anecdotal Maintenance Manual" AMM.
an·ec·do·tal
/ˌanəkˈdōdl/
adjective
adjective: anecdotal
(of an account) not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.
"I have a friend that was in the Navy"...."I don't remember where I got the 30 minutes from"..."What is the correct specific gravity"
Why not use the "Approved Maintenance Manual" http://www.gillbatteries.com/Content...ice_manual.pdf
Last edited by Vagabondblues; 03-20-2019 at 03:27 PM.
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Re: Battery issue
Get a cheap agm battery and battery troubles are over.
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Re: Battery issue
Originally Posted by
Vagabondblues
I love how everyone on this site uses the "Anecdotal Maintenance Manual" AMM.
an·ec·do·tal
/ˌanəkˈdōdl/
adjective
adjective:
anecdotal
(of an account) not necessarily true or reliable, because based on personal accounts rather than facts or research.
"I have a friend that was in the Navy"...."I don't remember where I got the 30 minutes from"..."What is the correct specific gravity"
Why not use the "Approved Maintenance Manual"
http://www.gillbatteries.com/Content...ice_manual.pdf
So... in other words... you shouldn’t have posted “They believed the force and speed caused galling...”?
One of the great things about sharing ideas we have heard is it allows the chance to try new ideas or debunk myths.
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