Batteries

denverpilot

denverpilot

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DenverPilot
So we had some problems with the Alternator kicking offline recently.

Mechanic found some loose connections and got that all patched up.

But that got us thinking about our battery. That and the recent AvWeb poll on batteries.

We chickened out, and even though our Concorde 35 still shows 12.2 VDC after three engine starts w/o any charge in-between them (due to the alternator thing), we replaced it.

Six years, three months.

Both our mechanics now recommend Gill over Concorde so we had a Gill put in this morning.

They also both acted like we'd set some kind of battery service life record for a 182. Ha. ;)

It probably helps that our trusty O-470S starts in only a couple of blades every time. We'd wonder what was wrong if it didn't.

They also do NOT recommend switching to the sealed/recumbent-gas batteries for aircraft that don't fly every day. Say they take longer to charge and don't last as long, if the non-sealed are properly serviced every year.

Thought folks here might (gasp) have some opinions. We've already made our decision, but what's your battery lifespan and what types do you like?
 
denverpilot said:
Thought folks here might (gasp) have some opinions. We've already made our decision, but what's your battery lifespan and what types do you like?
Click to expand...

Gill 25/35 about 5 years, but with the new ICAs that may change.
 
I was perfectly happy with the Concorde XC I had in my Cherokee, except I absolutely hated the bolts. During the last annual I switched back to a Gill...much easier to connect/disconnect the terminals.
 
I switched from the Gill to the Corcorde last year and I love it. The Concorde throws the prop around a lot faster, giving me 2 to 3 blade starts. (PA-32, O-540). I wasn't able to compare it to a fresh Gill, though. And, I only have a year on the Concorde so I don't have any lifespan data fr you.
 
Will have to look into ICA. And agreed that wing-nuts while perhaps in theory aren't as reliable as the bolts, wing nuts are sure easier to deal with.

Thanks for the thoughts so far.
 
More than 7 years on a single AXC-35. But I have my bus voltage set to 13.4 and it lives on a deulfator in the hangar. The battery is 10 years old now and still meets ICAs.
 
My RG-35AXC is 6 years old and still going like gangbusters.
As far as the thing about infrequent use causing problems, I haven't seen that at all. My Cherokee was grounded for 4 months due to weather, and it started like a champ.
My bird has been a personal use bird flying about 130-150 hours a year for six years, and is just fine.

I'll never put a Gill in a plane that that is allowed to use a Concorde.
 
denverpilot said:
So we had some problems with the Alternator kicking offline recently.

Mechanic found some loose connections and got that all patched up.

But that got us thinking about our battery. That and the recent AvWeb poll on batteries.

We chickened out, and even though our Concorde 35 still shows 12.2 VDC after three engine starts w/o any charge in-between them (due to the alternator thing), we replaced it.

Six years, three months.

Both our mechanics now recommend Gill over Concorde so we had a Gill put in this morning.

They also both acted like we'd set some kind of battery service life record for a 182. Ha. ;)

It probably helps that our trusty O-470S starts in only a couple of blades every time. We'd wonder what was wrong if it didn't.

They also do NOT recommend switching to the sealed/recumbent-gas batteries for aircraft that don't fly every day. Say they take longer to charge and don't last as long, if the non-sealed are properly serviced every year.

Thought folks here might (gasp) have some opinions. We've already made our decision, but what's your battery lifespan and what types do you like?
Click to expand...
The flooded cell batteries will tolerate overcharging better than Concord's AGM types but that's about the only advantage IMO. The Concord RG and RG-XC have less internal resistance which means more voltage when cranking and their self discharge rate is considerably better than a flooded cell type once both batteries are at least a year old. Other significant advantages of the AGM design are that they are spillproof and don't spew acid all over the battery box.
I replace the first set of RGs after 6+ years of service just because I'd never had an aircraft battery last that long even though they were still holding a charge quite well. The second set (RG-XC this time) is going on 7 years now and they act like new ones. I do occasionally connect a desulphator but I suspect that's not really necessary.

Your mechanic might be basing his opinion on the problems that Gill had when they came out with an AGM battery. Gill makes a good flooded cell battery but only Concord appears to know how to turn out a decent AGM.
 
Gill conventional battery lasted 6 months, flown regularly.

Replaced with Concorde RG 4 years ago, going strong.

My mechanic friends say this is common, although 6 months is too short, even for a Gill.
 
PilotAlan said:
My Cherokee was grounded for 4 months due to weather, and it started like a champ.
Click to expand...



Hmmm. Me and my Tiger were based at KFTG for several years and I was hardly ever grounded by weather.

Gill G-25, and I usually get about 3 - 4 years out if it, but I don't keep it on a trickle charger or battery tender either.
 
Anthony said:
Hmmm. Me and my Tiger were based at KFTG for several years and I was hardly ever grounded by weather.
Click to expand...

We had a rough late winter and spring. Every time I had time to fly, the weather was atrocious. When the weather was good, I couldn't take the day off.
Between low ceilings and horrible winds (and sometimes both), it was a bad flying winter to spring this year.
 
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