Battery Question

The battery in my plane (Cherokee 180 - 12 volt) is getting pretty long in
the tooth. Any opinions on replacing it with closed cell battery instead of
the old type with the caps?

Thanks

Mike

My old battery lost a cell and started spewing electrolyte into the battery
box. I replaced it with a sealed RG model to avoid the hassle of cleaning
out the acid and the possibility of the acid getting onto the airframe and
damaging it.

If you notice the cranking is still not up to par after changing the
battery, you might want to see if your plane still has the aluminum power
cables and change them to copper. It makes a big difference in cranking
power.
--
Best Regards,
Mike

http://photoshow.comcast.net/mikenoel

"mbremer216" wrote in message
...
The battery in my plane (Cherokee 180 - 12 volt) is getting pretty long in
the tooth. Any opinions on replacing it with closed cell battery instead
of the old type with the caps?

Thanks

Mike

In article ,
"mbremer216" wrote:

The battery in my plane (Cherokee 180 - 12 volt) is getting pretty long in
the tooth. Any opinions on replacing it with closed cell battery instead of
the old type with the caps?

LPM just had an article about batteries (Oct 2006).

For 12 volt systems, the basic conclusion was to go for a Concorde AGM
battery if an STC is available. But regardless of AGM or flooded,
infrequent flyers should have a battery charger.

--
Bob Noel
Looking for a sig the
lawyers will hate

Bob Noel wrote:

LPM just had an article about batteries (Oct 2006).

So did AOPA Pilot (Steve Ells, I think)

mbremer216 wrote:
The battery in my plane (Cherokee 180 - 12 volt) is getting pretty long in
the tooth. Any opinions on replacing it with closed cell battery instead of
the old type with the caps?

Thanks

Mike


I have use the Concorde RG and really like it. I have a modified Skyhawk
with the O-360 and a lightweight starter.

--

Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI

On Wed, 04 Oct 2006 20:33:44 -0400, Bob Noel
wrote:

In article ,
"mbremer216" wrote:

The battery in my plane (Cherokee 180 - 12 volt) is getting pretty long in
the tooth. Any opinions on replacing it with closed cell battery instead of
the old type with the caps?

LPM just had an article about batteries (Oct 2006).

For 12 volt systems, the basic conclusion was to go for a Concorde AGM
battery if an STC is available. But regardless of AGM or flooded,
infrequent flyers should have a battery charger.

My Cherokee Warrior 151's G-35 is ok for now but I'm looking ahead.

What's involved with the STC? Do you buy it from Concorde? How much?
Does it mean that you'll have to have your A&P file a 337? And does
that mean I can't just buy the battery online and install it myself,
with the usual record keeping, like I have in the past with flooded
cell batteries? If it matters, I've complied with the "piece of
plywood under the seat" SB.

I had a recombinant auto battery, a Torquestarter, many years ago and
was very impressed. At the time I wished I could have one for my
airplane. Now it appears that I can.

RK Henry

RK Henry wrote:
snip
My Cherokee Warrior 151's G-35 is ok for now but I'm looking ahead.

What's involved with the STC? Do you buy it from Concorde? How much?
Does it mean that you'll have to have your A&P file a 337? And does
that mean I can't just buy the battery online and install it myself,
with the usual record keeping, like I have in the past with flooded
cell batteries? If it matters, I've complied with the "piece of
plywood under the seat" SB.
sig snip

Call Concorde (according to their website they hold the STC for your
aircraft) & ask them. Last STC I bought from them was $35.00. If the
STC is your only means of "approved" installation, then yes someone
will have to do a 337 (an A&P can do most of it, but an IA has to sign
the bottom).

If the RG battery is SPECIFICALLY on their PMA list (FAA-PMA Supplement
No. 50 dd 03/07/03, again according to their website) for your SPECIFIC
aircraft, all you have to do is put it in and have it signed off by an
A&P referencing the PMA list.

Either way, there will probably be enuff of a weight difference for a
change to your empty weight & moment. Would be a good idea to have your
A&P do an installed equipment list revision/addendum as well (I use to
put them on the same sheet).

Let us know what you find out...

TC

On 6 Oct 2006 12:13:11 -0700, "
wrote:


RK Henry wrote:
snip
My Cherokee Warrior 151's G-35 is ok for now but I'm looking ahead.

What's involved with the STC? Do you buy it from Concorde? How much?
Does it mean that you'll have to have your A&P file a 337? And does
that mean I can't just buy the battery online and install it myself,
with the usual record keeping, like I have in the past with flooded
cell batteries? If it matters, I've complied with the "piece of
plywood under the seat" SB.
sig snip

Call Concorde (according to their website they hold the STC for your
aircraft) & ask them. Last STC I bought from them was $35.00. If the
STC is your only means of "approved" installation, then yes someone
will have to do a 337 (an A&P can do most of it, but an IA has to sign
the bottom).

If the RG battery is SPECIFICALLY on their PMA list (FAA-PMA Supplement
No. 50 dd 03/07/03, again according to their website) for your SPECIFIC
aircraft, all you have to do is put it in and have it signed off by an
A&P referencing the PMA list.

Either way, there will probably be enuff of a weight difference for a
change to your empty weight & moment. Would be a good idea to have your
A&P do an installed equipment list revision/addendum as well (I use to
put them on the same sheet).

Let us know what you find out...

Thanks for the information. I'll make a note for future reference, but
I'm hoping it will be a while before I need to worry about it. I've
looked at the web site and it appears that the Warrior (PA28-151)
needs an STC, so the best strategy would be to try to nurse an
existing battery through to annual time. Based on experience, I think
I can get the existing battery through at least another year or two,
especially since during this year's ruinous annual I also had them
change the aluminum cables. I'll make a note to advise the group of my
results when that time comes.

RK Henry