Test results LiFePO4 glider batteries after 6 years

On Wed, 08 Aug 2018 23:55:38 -0700, krasw wrote:

I installed a small coulometer (with LCD-display, available from Ebay)
between my charger and battery.

Multi-chemistry chargers are sold for RC model flying that are also
suitable for checking capacity on our batteries and can handle any
chemistry that is normally used in gliders. Prices vary (of course)
depending on capabilities, but are generally reasonable unless you want
the sort of gorilla charger used by the F5x crowd. In the USA HobbyKing
would a a reasonable place to start looking.

But, none of them will fit in a glider's panel.



--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

The only one I could find specifically designed for aircraft is the MGL BAT-1 (anything else was only a voltmeter or ammeter):
http://www.mglavionics.com/BAT1.pdf
It does not have a coulometer, however. I have specified this for my new ASH31.

Tom

2G wrote on 8/9/2018 9:10 AM:
The only one I could find specifically designed for aircraft is the MGL BAT-1 (anything else was only a voltmeter or ammeter):
http://www.mglavionics.com/BAT1.pdf
It does not have a coulometer, however. I have specified this for my new ASH31.

Pilots that are don't require the alarm function can find small panel mounted
volt-amp meters like these from Amazon for about $15:

- WATERWICH DC12-24V/0.1-10A Dual LED Digital Multimeter Amp Voltage Meter
- TOOGOO(R)Dual LED Digital Voltmeter Ammeter DC 0-100V 10A Panel Amp Volt Meter

I'm not suggesting those two are the best choices, but I have used similar units
that worked well.

There are panel mounted units that include amp-hour/watt-hour readings, but are
larger. I use a charger for my instrument battery that shows amp-hour/watt-hour
readings during charge, so I can see the battery did accept the expected charge.
That's be satisfactory for years, so I haven't felt the need for amp-hour readings
in the glider; generally, my current drain in-flight varies only a little.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA