I've got a few thoughts which someone might find interesting regarding
batteries.
Ken Cottle built a lawn tractor sized battery box on the hat shelf behind
my head, perhaps for CG reasons - I never remembered to ask. It's
subjected to a lot less heat and vibration in this location so that's a
good thing and since I have such a large cargo capacity below the
hatshelf, it doesn't interfere with cargo space. It's well anchored and
is separated from my head by the solid back of the canopy frame. When I
picked the plane up from Steve it had a lawn tractor battery in it, which
failed immediately before I even left Omaha. The new cheapo from
AutoZone got me back home but also soon failed - can't remember why. I
then did a stupid thing and bought a correctly-sized wheel chair battery
with great amp hour specs but it failed fairly soon too, at which time I
learned there are two basic types of batteries. Cranking batteries and
storage batteries (terminology perhaps not correct) but I'd bought the
wrong kind. Funny I never knew these two drastically different
categories, but I didn't.
So, continuing my quest, I bought a cranking battery of lawn-tractor size
of better quality than Sears, but it turned out to not be capable of
supporting my electrical loads so it too failed within a year. After a
great deal of looking, I eventually found my ideal battery. It's an AGM,
55Ah, CCA somewhere above 500 CCA, and will run my plane with everything
turned on for a full 45 minutes without the engine running
(theoretically).
N335KC is a real electricity hog. Position lights are the old
incandescent type that have a huge amp draw. My electronic ignition is
another big user, especially with the throttle pulled back as when
landing. Electronic ignition draws more amps when the engine is idling
than when the engine is running at speed. I'm not sure why that's true,
but Steve Bennett told me that so I presume it's true. In addition, I've
got a transponder, strobes, panel lights, electric ADI and other
electrical instruments, halogen landing lights, rotating beacon, GPS, and
I'm sure I'm overlooking two or three other things. At night, with the
engine pulled back for landing and the puny 22 amp GP alternator putting
out nothing, the battery needs to be strong enough to support all those
lights and electrical devices and do so for a reasonable amount of time.
Theoretically it will support my system for 45 minutes without any help
from the alternator.
I finally found my dream battery at Powerstride Battery. It's called a
NEPO M44L, imported from Japan, and fits my lawn-tractor-sized battery
box perfectly. I've had it four years and it still stays 12.6 - 12.7
even after landing at night and after subjecting it to the loads of a
night landing. I don't see it currently on Powerstride's website so
maybe it's a special order.
It's been an amazing battery but nevertheless, I need to replace my
position lights and landing/taxi lights with LED's, especially once I
install ADS-B Out . . . although the battery would probably handle things
if I left things as they are. It's an amazing battery. I'll attach a
picture.
Mike
KSEE
____________________________________________________________
1 Cup (Before Bed) Burns Belly Fat Like Crazy!
worldhealthlabs.com
http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3141/5ceb82b43b2f12b403ebst04vuc
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