I use a BatteryMINDer from http://www.vdcelectronics.com/aircraft.htm -
model 1248-AA-S1 - it has a harness to connect it to the aircraft
battery (via a small connector near the charger in that wire), a temp
sensor to put on the battery (also with disconnect near charger), and a
120 V plug for the extension cord, which in my case (1946 415-C
Ercoupe) goes under the right window just before I lock the windows
together on the top. Thus, in preflight, I unplug the BatteryMINDer
from the extension cord and dump it (the ext. cord!) on the hangar
floor, and in putting it away, I move the right window so it's "too
far" to the left, leaving a gap underneath for the extension cord (flat
cable type) to come back in - the BatteryMINDer gets plugged back in
and in about a minute, resets and goes back to work. I am hoping that
my BatteryMINDer will extend the life of my battery sufficiently that
it will pay for itself (about $160). See their site for what it does,
especially the "desulfation" reconditioning, and, of course floating
the battery after it recharges it as needed (which it will need should
you, for example, use landing lights in the pattern for recognition but
only have a 13 amp generator). I hope I made a good investment - I
think I did. I must have had it at least a year (I also have a 35 amp.
generator so it's main function for me is float charge and desulfation,
after the first time when the battery was quite depressed) and it's now
just another part of the scenery (and pre & post-flight - I leave it
connected to the airplane 100% of the time).
They recommend that the charger be used outside of the plane (the "CYA"
bit), but on the phone they tell me it is a sealed unit and is truly
safe - so I don't worry about it ending up at some other airport in
someone else's plane and leave it to work in my baggage zone. I have a
baggage compartment w/ floor so, between the semi-sealed battery box,
the floor and the sealed BatteryMINDer and its cords, I worry not.
When I unplug and plug it, the windows have been open, so I do not fear
H2 + O2 being around. (Since I got mine, they've added a cig. lighter
adapter, apparently for battery connection... I'm content with the
wires coming from below through the left front corner behind the seat
back.)
J. Beach Brennan
WST / RI
NC93963 / #1286
