Airplane Batteries

Peter Duniho wrote:
wrote in message
...

Sorry if it's a problem here. I just figured if we can discuss hotels
and restaurants, airplane batteries shouldn't bother anyone.


I'll echo the recommendation for posting in r.a.owning. Not because there's
a problem posting your post here, but because you are likely to get better
answers there.

Ditto. The reason we have so many groups is that it lets us choose
what what we do NOT want to read. The alternative is for everybody to
post in one giant group where everbody sees everything.

Maybe we should create rec.aviation.hotel-talk .

Stubby wrote:
The reason we have so many groups is that it lets us choose
what what we do NOT want to read. The alternative is for everybody to
post in one giant group where everbody sees everything.

I'm aware of that. But look at the list of topics on this group. At
least mine was about airplanes.

To those who responded with info, thank you. Much appreciated.

The down side is that they need replacement every two or three years as
compared to a regular lead acid battery.

Hell, that sounds *exactly* like a regular lead acid battery...

We've replaced two lead-acid batteries. Both were 7 years old.

We've got our first RG battery on board now. We'll see how long it lasts...
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Grumman-581 wrote:
"Viperdoc" wrote in message
news
The down side is that they need replacement every two or three years as
compared to a regular lead acid battery.

Hell, that sounds *exactly* like a regular lead acid battery...

Not mine. The Gill batteries in my C-150 lasted about 6 years.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

unicate wrote:

Sorry if it's a problem here.

It's not a problem; it's just that you might get more and better responses there.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

unicate wrote:

Thoughts/Opinions?

As others have said, the recombinant gas models are sealed units. That's the
only type my Maule was certified to use -- the manufacturer didn't want to run
the risk of having acid spill onto the fabric. I used to get about 4 years
service from mine. In addition to having shorter lives than regular lead-acid
batteries, the RG batteries are very sensitive to being left in a partially
discharged state. Run the battery down and leave it like that for two weeks, and
you'll probably have to replace it.

You will also have to check to see if there's an RG series battery certified for
your aircraft. There probably is, but check the Gill website.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

"George Patterson" wrote

Not mine. The Gill batteries in my C-150 lasted about 6 years.

What is your secret for success? Do you have it inside,heated, trickle
charge it, fly often?
--
Jim in NC

Morgans wrote:

"George Patterson" wrote

Not mine. The Gill batteries in my C-150 lasted about 6 years.

What is your secret for success? Do you have it inside,heated, trickle
charge it, fly often?

I kept it tied down in New Jersey, charged the battery once a year during the
annual, and flew 70-100 hours a year. Flying was pretty regularly spaced out
over the year except for those periods when unexpected maintenance was
necessary. I flew few really long flights, though I did make Sun'n Fun once.

Prior to my buying the plane, it was kept tied down in West Virginia. It flew
about 4 hours in the year before I bought it. I had to replace the battery a few
years after I bought the plane in 1989. According to the logs and the tags on
the battery, it was a little over 6 years old. I sold the plane in 1996. The new
owner is also in New Jersey and kept it tied down. As of 1998, the battery was
still going strong, but I haven't spoken with the man since then. The plane is
still registered to the guy who bought it from me.

George Patterson
Coffee is only a way of stealing time that should by rights belong to
your slightly older self.

George Patterson wrote:
RG batteries are very sensitive to being left in a partially
discharged state.

I plug in the trickle-charger every time I come back from a flight and
leave it on until I go again (lead-acid battery). Mechanic concurs that
this is a good idea. I usually fly once or twice/week. Sounds like this
would be a good thing for an RG battery as well?

I've gotten at least 9 years each on the last three Gill batteries on
my 172M. I make sure the plates never get exposed - even filling with
tap water or from a nearby mud puddle. Rarely a trickle charger unless
it has been or going to sit for a couple of months. I always get
starts in one or two revolutions. Cessna has a good electrical system
in my book.