New Battery -- thanks for the recommendation

Nothing on the airplane isn't on a "worry about" list. It just took it from
the #1 priority list to the #3 or #4 list.

Jim


Crap. And here I thought I had removed the battery from my "worry about"
list...

And what is vinegar but acetic acid. So you neutralized acid with acid?
Not in my chem class you don't. You could have used window-cleaning
ammonia to do the neutralization, but the stuff of choice is plain old
Arm&Hammer baking soda at about a 10% concentration in water.

Okay, "neutralize" it doesn't. "Dissolve" it does, and then I "neutralized"
with the ACF-50 goop.

It still smells good!

;-)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

8 years. That's sounds pretty good. Perhaps too long.

i've had to change batts every 3-4 years. Both sealed Concordes and an
unsealed something. That last year, the battery just gets a little
weaker and weaker until one cool day, it just won't go.

I think I'm taking adequate care and am unaware of any discharge problem.

What are other people's experience with battery life?

Jay Honeck wrote:
Just installed the new Concorde RG 35AXC -- the most powerful battery
approved for my plane -- and, wow, what a difference! No more "bumping"
the starter to get the prop past the highest compression stroke of that big
ol' six cylinder on a hot day... It just whirls it right around!

When I pulled the 8-year old battery out, there was an area of spilled
acid/crusty stuff that had to be cleaned thoroughly. I'm looking forward to
this new "sealed" battery eliminating that problem, and the yearly expense
of paying my A&P to clean the battery box (and surrounding area) at every
annual inspection.

I can't remember who recommended this battery to me -- but it's great --
thanks!

8 years. That's sounds pretty good. Perhaps too long.

Yeah, I'm pretty satisfied with that kind of life from a battery. My A&P
says it lasted so long because we fly often, and kept the thing charged up.

He also thinks our new (in March) wing-tip landing lights probably were the
kiss of death for the old battery. It was probably weak, getting weaker,
and then I put that big ol' load on it. (The amp-meter shows over 40 amps
with everything on, which means the alternator probably can't keep up when
taxiing....)
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

What are other people's experience with battery life?

C172M - I've always gotten at least 8 years from the last three
batteries. Just never let the plates get exposed to air, never let it
get discharged & keep the top clean. I do not put any trickle charger
on it unless everything is down for many weeks. I also have never had
to use the ground service plug - except when the FAA Certified Repair
Station left the master on after an annual.......

RST Engineering wrote:
Arm&Hammer baking soda at about a 10% concentration in water. When it stops
bubbling with each fresh application, you is done.

I also re-coat the inside of the box with some of that acid resitant black
paint that you can get at most of the aircraft parts places.



--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.OceanCityAirport.com
http://www.oc-Adolfos.com

Jay Honeck wrote:
When I pulled the 8-year old battery out, there was an area of spilled
acid/crusty stuff that had to be cleaned thoroughly. I'm looking forward to
this new "sealed" battery eliminating that problem, and the yearly expense
of paying my A&P to clean the battery box (and surrounding area) at every
annual inspection.

Yike! 8 years? I suspect that replacing that battery with ANY battery
would have made it spin faster.




--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! !
http://www.OceanCityAirport.com
http://www.oc-Adolfos.com

Are you talking about the Pep Boys Aircraft Supply Depot?

{;-)

Jim


I also re-coat the inside of the box with some of that acid resitant black
paint that you can get at most of the aircraft parts places.

You should check, but my understanding is that the RG batteries may only
last 2-3 years, and that the decreased life is a trade-off compared to
normal lead acid batteries.

For what it's worth, I was told to change the battery on the Extra (by
necessity an RG) every two years, while the normal batteries in the Baron
are a lot older and still crank well.

You should check, but my understanding is that the RG batteries may only
last 2-3 years, and that the decreased life is a trade-off compared to
normal lead acid batteries.

Man, I hope not. At $162, this battery ain't cheap.

Anyone got any real-life numbers on this?

For what it's worth, I was told to change the battery on the Extra (by
necessity an RG) every two years

Why would they tell you to replace a battery based on the calendar? If it's
still cranking fine, what other parameter is there to worry about?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"