Battery Charger

Topper

Topper

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Topper
I am getting ready to install a 650 and expect I will spend some time in the hanger playing with it. I am going to buy a charger to keep the battery up. Searching online I discovered that aviation specific chargers are recommended. Based on what I saw plus a review, I was going to get the BatteryMINDer. They have specific chargers based on the battery type. I was going through the logs to find out what battery I had when I came across paperwork from the battery manufacturer and a charger they sell. I have a Gill battery and they sell a TSC-01v for it. The BatteryMINDer is about 200.00 and the Gill is 325.00. Not enough price difference to make that the deciding factor. I am leaning towards the Gill thinking they ought to know what is needed for their battery.

Any thought as to which one is better? Any experience with either?


Thanks,

Jim
 
Have you thought about using shore power to protect you ship battery?
 
tmyers said:
Have you thought about using shore power to protect you ship battery?
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No - since I don't know what that means! What is it and why should I consider it instead of a charger.

Thanks,

Jim

FYI - this is for a 1979 182
 
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Well your really not supposed to charge a battery with it still in the aircraft according to the battery mfg. a charger doesn't always put out a clean 14 or 24 volts. What are you flying?
 
Topper said:
I am getting ready to install a 650 and expect I will spend some time in the hanger playing with it. I am going to buy a charger to keep the battery up. Searching online I discovered that aviation specific chargers are recommended. Based on what I saw plus a review, I was going to get the BatteryMINDer. They have specific chargers based on the battery type. I was going through the logs to find out what battery I had when I came across paperwork from the battery manufacturer and a charger they sell. I have a Gill battery and they sell a TSC-01v for it. The BatteryMINDer is about 200.00 and the Gill is 325.00. Not enough price difference to make that the deciding factor. I am leaning towards the Gill thinking they ought to know what is needed for their battery.

Any thought as to which one is better? Any experience with either?


Thanks,

Jim
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Yep Gill "ought to know." Go with the BatteryMinder, love mine. Better charging algorithm and better support.
 
Opps didn't see the Cessna at the bottom. I have a 14 volt system so I am not that familiar with the 28 volt systems. Someone else will comment soon
 
tmyers said:
Opps didn't see the Cessna at the bottom. I have a 14 volt system so I am not that familiar with the 28 volt systems. Someone else will comment soon
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I have a 14 volt, also, so I'm just using a basic float charger.
 
Cessna 172N POH under "Ground Service Plug Receptacle

"The battery and external power circuts have been designed to completely eliminate the need to "jumper" across the battery contactor to close it for charging a completely "dead" battery. A special fused circuit in the external power system supplies the needed "jumper" across the contacts so that with a "dead" battery and an external power source applied, turning on the master switch will close the battery contactor."

Strange that they would have done that if you weren't supposed to charge the battery in the airplane.
 
Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe said:
Cessna 172N POH under "Ground Service Plug Receptacle

"The battery and external power circuts have been designed to completely eliminate the need to "jumper" across the battery contactor to close it for charging a completely "dead" battery. A special fused circuit in the external power system supplies the needed "jumper" across the contacts so that with a "dead" battery and an external power source applied, turning on the master switch will close the battery contactor."

Strange that they would have done that if you weren't supposed to charge the battery in the airplane.
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There have been all sorts of mistakes in POHs. Gill, specifically wants the battery OUT of the airplane for charging.

http://www.gillbatteries.com/faqs.aspx
 
Been using a common auto charger (Schrader) for decades on my planes. A 10/2/float charger. Normally is left in the 2 amp position and it automatically goes into float. After a flight - especially taxi in, in winter with the heater on the cool down cycle - the charge light will
My batteries are changed out every 5 years (not bad, just changed) - Concorde AGM Recombinant. (due again - my how the prices have risen :() I fly every week so that may have a role on long battery life.
 
Dr. O said:
Been using a common auto charger (Schrader) for decades on my planes. A 10/2/float charger. Normally is left in the 2 amp position and it automatically goes into float.... I fly every week so that may have a role on long battery life.
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I'm not familiar with the Schrader but I'd add some caution if it falls under the category of "smart trickle charger".

A low cost option (<$50) I would recommend for the Gill, Concorde or Odyssey is a Schumacher charger from Walmart or other sources. I use this 10 amp model:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60509998/DSC04046.JPG

If your battery is going to be discharged and recharged primarily by the charger, avoid the older smart trickle chargers such as this (sorry for the blur):
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/60509998/DSC04048.JPG

In the situation described above, using a trickle charger will not cause harm since the battery is being charged primarily and regularly by the plane's charging system. But the smart trickle charger will not fully charge a discharged (AGM type in this case) battery fully. Slowly and insidiously you will lose battery capacity and never make the 5 year mark. I've tested this approach several times.

In the OP's situation where the battery will be used to drive some avionics, then charged by the charger, charger selection is critical. I'm sure the manufacturers recommended choices will perform as desired. I know that the Schumacher (and similar chargers) will perform as desired at a lower cost.
 
It is illegal to charge batteries in the aircraft by most local codes (it's certainly in the NEC). As pointed out, the popular manufacturers bar it in their instructions as well.

One might argue that a battery tenderizer isn't really "charging."

Frankly, an aircraft battery that is in decent shape and has not been abused, will NOT go dead from prolonged inactivity. This whole subject is a solution to a non-existant problem. I've got battery tenderizer on the lawn tractor and a few other things around the house, but I've never found it necessary for the aircraft.
 
flyingron said:
It is illegal to charge batteries in the aircraft by most local codes (it's certainly in the NEC). As pointed out, the popular manufacturers bar it in their instructions as well.

One might argue that a battery tenderizer isn't really "charging."

Frankly, an aircraft battery that is in decent shape and has not been abused, will NOT go dead from prolonged inactivity. This whole subject is a solution to a non-existant problem. I've got battery tenderizer on the lawn tractor and a few other things around the house, but I've never found it necessary for the aircraft.
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The nec also states that the electrical system shall be de energized while in a hanger. I suppose we can argue that is accomplished with the master switch, but it would also prohibit me from turning on the master switch to practice with the GPS. Does anyone else think we may have too many rules.

I would agree that a maintainer is not a charger. I think the intent was to avoid the release of gases into a confined space that would happen with rapid charging.

Thanks for all of the input. I should have mentioned sooner that I have a 28v battery.

Jim.
 
Topper said:
Does anyone else think we may have too many rules.

Jim.
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Yep, we went from a society where government went from promoting the general welfare of the population to one that feels compelled to regulate it. Our forefathers would be rolling over in their graves if they knew what we did...
 
flyingron said:
Frankly, an aircraft battery that is in decent shape and has not been abused, will NOT go dead from prolonged inactivity. This whole subject is a solution to a non-existant problem. I've got battery tenderizer on the lawn tractor and a few other things around the house, but I've never found it necessary for the aircraft.
Click to expand...

Do you know that for sure? I figured an aircraft battery operated under the same principle as other batteries and permanent sulfating of the lead plates could still happen with inactivity. If I'm wrong, I'd really like to know. :dunno:
 
Ordered the BatteryMINDer. Thanks for the input. The battery is only 1 year old, but when it goes, I will consider switching brands.

Jim
 
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