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New Press release from EarthX
Again, as promised EarthX is letting your know first when we have something new to announce! In addition to Rotax Engines, Aerovee Engines, and Viking Engines....we are proud to say UL Power Engines USA are also using and endorsing the EarthX aircraft line of batteries.
EarthX now approved by Kaolin Aviation, the USA distributor of the UL Power Engines Koalin Aviation is the North American Service Center for UL Power engines and a full service aviation maintenance company which offers builder assistance services located in Sandersville, Georgia. Koalin Aviation is also the designer and developer for Fire Wall Forward (FWF) Kits for installing UL Power engines into various kit airplanes. UL Power light aircraft engines are truly modern engines featuring FADEC (full authority digital engine control) with multi-point electronic fuel injection, and dual electronic ignition (with variable timing), excellent power-to-weight ratio, and high fuel efficiency in a conventional configuration: Air-cooled, direct drive, horizontally opposed four-cylinder. UL Power Engines have been developed specifically for use in light aircraft and are manufactured to the highest standards which is why they recommend the EarthX brand of lithium batteries in conjunction with their engines for a light but powerful experience. Fly Lightly, Kathy |
New product annuncement from EarthX!
Another announcement from EarthX lithium batteries. We have a new battery box available now for the very soon to be released ETX680C aircraft battery. This battery will have all the same spec's as the ETX680 but in a compact size due to many of you requesting this as an option. Here's the details about the battery box:
Custom fit Aluminum Battery Box for ETX680C $49.00 Custom made aluminum battery box designed specifically for the EarthX ETX680C, the newest aircraft model to be released in March 2016! This battery box was engineered to be strong enough to withstand 30 G of force yet only weighs 4.9 ounces or 140 grams and will fit your ETX680C like a glove. This unique design allows for simple, easy installation with the dimensions: 5.9″ L x 3.4″ W x 4.5″H. Fly Lightly, Kathy |
We installed a 900 in our bush plane project last week, testing it for a magazine project. We had a battery box designed for the PC680, and it took a little bit of shim between the box and the firewall to get it to slide in nicely, but that mod took about a half hour to accomplish - easy, but you can't just expect it to slide into a tight PC680 box without a little work. Now if we had to put a 680 in, we could just add a shim - goign that way is simple.
The real news is that we did the first engine start yesetrday, and I was absolutely shocked at the power in this battery! We did the typical cranking with top spark plugs out for about thirty seconds to build up oil pressure, and the starter was spinning the engine so that the prop was a blur. Then we put the plugs in - and it spun over almost as fast - and this with high compression pistons! I'll report back as we get some time on the battery as to how it performs, but so far - I'm impressed. More to come! |
New ETX680C is ready now!
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Fly Lightly, Kathy |
Issue with 2 earthX batterys
Purchased battery's in October 2015 and finally decided to install them
when opened box had surprise! It sounds and fills like lithium elements inside plastic case are moving when you shaking the case. According to my knowledge this is fire hazard situation did I get 2 bad battery's?? or all of them like this ???? |
Search VAF, I'm pretty sure I saw someone else mentioning having the same issue ... and from memory only at least, EarthX said "not dangerous, but should not happen, we will fix" (or something to that effect).
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Maybe DR could point to where it was? |
Contact EarthX
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We did have a battery issue that was discussed on this forum as one of the foam inserts inside the battery was not placed as it should have been and it caused a slight movement of the cell pack inside. This part of the process in building the batteries is not automated. There are thousands of the EarthX batteries out in service with less than a handful that had a foam spacer not placed, but to err is human and we did take care of the customer 100% on this issue with a new battery. (This does not make them dangerous, nor actual non functioning). But as far as this one....until we hear from him, we will not know what might have happened. Fly Lightly, Kathy |
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My impression of the previous thread was EarthX did respond to the problem in a good and customer oriented way to resolve the issue (it was not me with the problem - I just followed the thread). John |
What puzzled me that 2 batterys have same movement inside sounds like 1/4 inch. Just wanted to know if others have similar moving/shifting
I was contacted by manufacturer and it sounds like bad bach of batterys I will post an update later after talking to them |
New Press Release Information
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Couple of announcements, we have added Continental Motors to the list of aircraft engine manufacturers who is endorsing the EarthX aircraft batteries for use with their experimental engine line! We are also proud to announce that Mosquito Helicopter (parent company is named Innovator Technologies) as an OEM using the EarthX line of batteries to power their amazing helicopters! In fact, they sent out a bulletin to all of their current customers recommending switching out their current battery for the EarthX battery based on their engineering data of improvements to the power and weight of their helicopters when using the EarthX battery. :) More exciting announcements coming!!! Fly Lightly, Kathy |
Battery Advice
Hi Vans forum readers! I thought I would post a simple, tried and true, piece of battery advice whether it is for a lead acid or lithium battery as many of you are getting your aircrafts out of storage and ready to fly!
A very simple suggestion for you to get the most longevity out of your battery is to: 1. Measure the voltage of the battery with a voltmeter. If it is a lead acid battery, the voltage should be 12.6V-12.8V at a minimum before you attempt to start your aircraft. If it is a lithium battery, the voltage should be no less than 13.28V. 2. If the voltage is less than the above measurements, charge the battery prior to starting your aircraft. This will make your plane and your battery happy! Fly Lightly, Kathy |
New gadget at EarthX!
Hi Vans forum readers! Just wanted to let you all know that we really do listen to you when you send us emails or stop by and chat with us at a tradeshow!
Based on that, many of you requested/suggested a LONGER quick connect cables for either charging or jumping your battery if needed that could be long enough to actually put through the control panel (many different ways you can do that) so you can do this right from the cockpit and we have it! This cable is 48" long at the cost is $29.99. :) http://earthxmotorsports.com/shop/48...gingjump-start Fly Lightly, Kathy |
Kathy,
Would you please check your Private Messages (PM's)? |
Presenter at the Oshkosh Air show
We just found out that we are chosen to be presenters at a forum at EAA Air Venture in Oshkosh. (:D) We are very excited about this and as you all have been an excellent source of "inside" information on what pilots really want, I wanted to ask for your thoughts on the subject.
We do NOT want the presentation to be a sells pitch for EarthX! We do want it to be an informative session about questions you really want to know about lithium batteries. So that being said, what questions would you like to see addressed? Fly Lightly, Kathy |
Potential failure modes of common BMS's built in to some of the popular LiFePo batteries, effects on the battery when the BMS failure results in the battery remaining online during overvoltage or some other event, and how to mitigate/eliminate those BMS failure modes.
The thing keeping many from embracing Lithium chemistry batteries in our aircraft is the (lack of) understanding of the above. edit: Also a few demonstrations would be great. Hook your 12V battery to a 24V charger and show us that the BMS takes the battery offline and nothing happens. Granted, that's more of an advertisement, but something that's been asked here before. |
Thanks and great question and demo idea. Quick question, you say "Potential failure modes of common BMS's built in to some of the popular LiFePo batteries".....I do not know of any other LifePo battery in this market that has a BMS at all, let alone potential failure modes the BMS could have, can you enlighten me on the brand so we can research this?
Fly Lightly, Kathy |
First thing I'd like to see is a presentation that shows the different types of Lithium batteries, and which ones have shown tendencies toward thermal runaways, and which ones can't. Too many people say "Lithium batteries are dangerous!!" Without knowing that there are different types.
Talk about the chemistries, and why some are safer than others. |
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A common lithium battery is the type that uses lithium cobalt cells. They are very common in jump packs (not EarthX's but others), cell phones, hoover boards etc. and their voltage is 11.1V-11.8V and not used in this starter battery type of application because they are not compatible with the charging system of a vehicle. Many people lump them all in the same "boat"...."plane"....and we will make sure to touch on the differences. :o Fly Lightly, Kathy |
What Paul said. I'd also like to see the basic stuff -- comparison of your battery to an AGM, SLA or other more "traditional" battery chemistry including weight, capacity, cranking power, discharge characteristics, failure modes, charging requirements, etc.
Most of all I'd love to see a cutaway of an actual production unit showing how your battery is put together. That would tell me a lot of what I really want to know. |
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As far as failure modes, we can probably agree that any electronic or mechanical device CAN fail. In what ways could the EarthX BMS possibly fail? What happens if it does? With your redundant BMS's, is it completely impossible for the failure of one to take out the other? Why? What happens if it does? Saying something cannot fail catastrophically is fine, but teaching us why it can't fail, or that when it does it's only going to cause a minor headache rather than a truly bad day, is the ticket to getting on more and more airframes. We homebuilders will eat up an education like that! :) |
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Fly Lightly, Kathy |
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Fly Lightly, Kathy |
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We do currently have this on our website right now but it would be great to have a slide show presentation of this as well. Thanks! Fly Lightly, Kathy |
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Here is a link to what Google gave me for 2015. |
Check PM's
Kathy at EarthX, please check your PM's. Info sent for you, thanks.
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Oshkosh is around the corner but the deals are now!
It's hard to believe that Oshkosh is just around the corner! We are very excited to be in Hangar C and look forward to meeting you if we haven't already!
As you might know from past years, our booth gets very busy and it is hard sometimes to even get close to the table. We are pre-selling now with Oshkosh pricing available. The batteries do not get discounted ever....I know they are expensive but they really are priced as low as we can price them and do not ever have "sale" pricing so you know you are getting your best deal available. We do however deeply discount our accessories!! :D Give us a call or email us to find out the pricing and place an order now if you are in the market. sales@earthxbatteries.com or 970 674-8884. |
"Deals" clafification from EarthX
Wow, thank you for the huge response to the previous post about Oshkosh and deals.
I want to clarify the deals.....THE BATTERIES are not discounted as they are priced year round at the lowest possible pricing. The ACCESSORIES are discounted such as the chargers, battery boxes, LED light, and portable jump packs. For example the multi-use battery box is $59 retail but right now you can order it for $35. :D Fly Lightly, Kathy |
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Live Long and Prosper! |
EarthX wins!
After 3.5 years on my old sealed lead battery I was experiencing slow starts. So I placed my complete package order from EarthX including their Van?s clone battery box to fit the original mounting holes, the special charger designed to reset a dead battery and the LED ?fault? warning light. The battery box is quite K.I.S.S. which I like. The special charger was a little bigger than I hoped (as I will add this to my longer overnight trip luggage) and weighed in at 1.6 pounds. But I hope to never drain the battery. As a side note there is a way described in the battery directions to reset a drained battery with another 12 volt battery, and then a "normal" charger can charge the battery in a pinch.
BTW; thank you Kathy for shipping my package so fast! What came in my shipment; ![]() Dropped into the new aluminum box the battery weighed in at only 4.4 pounds. What a difference, and so easy to pull in and out of its new home in my plane. ![]() And the old anchor. Confirming as advertised 11 pound savings! A hangar neighbor, also with an RV got out his scale because he could not believe it! The EarthX box was a little lighter too as these pictures show the boxes being weighed with the batteries. ![]() I made a new Z bracket for my starter relay and master solenoid to mount to the new box. ![]() And after thinking about it, I decided it would be easier and better to use my Dynon Skyview EFIS to alert me of a battery fault. This gives me a good visual scan of electrical health plus voice warning. A hook-up from the wire at the battery to a general discreet input on the Dynon EMS module is needed. ![]() Operation; When I received the new battery and charger I test charged, cell balanced and tested the charge holding capability. All this is automated with the charger and takes overnight. The next morning the charger tells you the results and battery condition, all good! Then after installation into the airplane I did some EFIS programing for about 30 minutes. So the big moment was at hand as I rolled out of the hangar! I have never had my prop spin so fast or the engine start so easy. It was more like a car starting. I took a quick look at the gauges and found the battery taking 28 amps for several seconds but as I taxied it was down to 9, and at run-up it was at 1 amp. This is all normal as the battery sucks more juice at start-up if it has been discharged some. So bottom line, better performance, great weight savings and an expectation of more dependability! Cheers to fast starts and blue skies! |
Thanks Bruce for your business and your detailed information posted here! Awesome write up and I am very happy you are so pleased. :p
Fly Lightly, Kathy |
Lead Acid Ah vs. Lithium Ah explained
Dear Vans Forum Readers,
EarthX has a new informational sheet that will be uploaded onto the website soon (it will be located under the DOCUMENTATION tab as soon as our website designer does it) about one of the frequently asked questions we receive about explaining lead acid Ah's vs. lithium Ah's. And as promised, we are letting you know about it here first! As soon as I have a link I will provide it so you can read the information which we think will answer a lot of questions you might have and you will come away a bit wiser. :D I didn't realize the link I originally posted had required a login and password to access it. My apologies. I would be happy to send a PDF file to anyone who wants it, just email me and I will reply with the attachment. |
That link requires an account and password. Can that be changed?
thanks Erich |
Hi Eric,
You shouldn't need anything to open it, just click and read. Is anyone else out there having a problem opening the link? |
Sorry about the link. As soon as it is loaded on the website, I can provide the URL link that will take you right to it.
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LINK THAT WORKS!
So apparently my website designer works long hours as me and he just provided me this link for you that does work: http://earthxbatteries.com/papers/SL...AN1506_New.pdf
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Distribution in Africa from EarthX
Not really sure where to put this announcement but as many requests have been made for aircraft batteries in Africa, and they are a prohibited item to have air shipped into Africa, we now have a distributor in South Africa that is bringing in stock via ocean freight.
If you are interested, you can contact Alpha Engineering directly at don@alpha-engineering.co.za or contact EarthX at sales@earthxbatteries.com. Thanks! |
Need an idea if people are interested in this?
I know this is an aircraft forum, but many of you also have other hobbies that include power sports so I am trying to plan ahead for a tradeshow next week in Long Beach, California to see if there is any interest from pilots from this geographical area that are attending the IMS Progressive Motorcycle show November 18-20th and if so, would you want EarthX to have aircraft products there? Typically we do not bring our aircraft products to a motorcycle show but I wouldn't want to disappoint if you were going and hoping we do.
Thanks for your input! If you are interested, please send an email to sales@earthxbatteries.com |
I'm based at LGB and while I didn't plan to attend the MC show, I would sure be interested in seeing what you have. Any chance you will have some extra time or will the show be the only chance to see your procucts?
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