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Lots of stories on VAF about failed alternators. Batteries are a maintanence item that can have a low probability of failure if properly maintained. I plan a dual alternator system. I may have a small secondary battery too but my first line of defense is the backup alternator.
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Batteries degrade (fail) slowly over time in that they store less useable energy, and yet we still fly with them never really knowing their capacity at that particular time.
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two alternators vs two batteries
It also depends also on the type of ignition one has. I have dual lightspeed ignitions, so I prefer two batteries. I have a setup to test the backup battery (whose only function is to feed the second ignition) using a 12v lamp. This draws a known current, so I can calculate the effective amp-hrs available until it drops to some specific voltage. I test it annually.
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There is no one answer.
I entirely agree with the dual alternator strategy for an IFR bird, and lean toward dual alt/dual battery for EFI/EI. That said, the KIS approach to VFR with a low-draw (<1 amp) electronic ignition is a small secondary battery. KIS is good. |
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You should check with Rosie about this, but read his Carribean trip thread first! :)
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Thank you all for the replies
I feel like the available backup-battery solutions are getting better but maybe not the ideal situation for me just yet. And the points about how to avoid getting stranded somewhere are well made. While my mission won't take me into austere locations we have all seen how deserted ramps are late on a weekend evening when we're trying to get home.
I will be talking with Stein very soon and I'm sure he will provide some great options to consider. Thanks for the input - it is always valuable and always appreciated. |
Well done
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http://lightspeed-aero.com/Manuals/PS_Diagram.htm http://lightspeed-aero.com/Images/du...ator-LSEr4.pdf ...but nothing to test battery capacity. Re voltage monitoring, these are less than $5 delivered, and can be configured to alarm: http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&postcount=166 |
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