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  #1  
Old 10-28-2015, 08:59 AM
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BruceMe BruceMe is offline
 
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Default Lithium Battery

I found some old threads on Lithium batteries. But I wanted a follow-up. Are they still working and safe?

Thanks,

-Bruce
RV-4 254MM
#2208 bought in 1997, first flight 2008, finished 2015
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  #2  
Old 10-28-2015, 09:12 AM
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Raymo Raymo is offline
 
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I am not yet there but plan to use the EarthX batteries (primary/backup). Two of their 680s are lighter than one standard gel cell.
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  #3  
Old 10-28-2015, 11:25 AM
Bevan Bevan is offline
 
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29 hours troublefree so far on a Shorai 18ah. Looking forward to some cold weather starts soon.

Bevan
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  #4  
Old 10-28-2015, 11:55 AM
jj13 jj13 is offline
 
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Location: Dunwoody GA (KLZU)
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Default Good so far

I have a Shorai LFX18L1-BS12 it’s 6AH (actual) weighs about 2 lb and it’s 18 months old with 100 flight hours(all in the last 6 months). I use it to back up the AV buss, I have the standard PC680 for the main battery. The Shorai automatically feeds the AV buss if the main voltage drops below 13.8 volts. I keep it charged using a B&C SD-8 alternator with OV protection. I’m happy so far with its performance, I’ll be very happy if it last 5 years so we’ll see. It does not have under voltage protection so all it takes is one time bring it below 10 volts or so and I’m buying another one. My avionics stay on as long as the backup master is on so hopefully that’s enough of a reminder but time will tell. I’ve considered putting in my own under voltage protection and I may do that in the future. I do charge it with a balancing charger every few months to keep the cells balanced some have that built in which is nice, but it does cost more. This one cost me $130 a year and half ago so if I lose it I won’t feel too bad. I have a cross connect option that allows me to use the Shorai to start the engine and that works very well, it has plenty of starting power.
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Last edited by jj13 : 10-28-2015 at 11:59 AM.
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  #5  
Old 10-28-2015, 12:25 PM
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BruceMe BruceMe is offline
 
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Great, I have a lot of good experience with LiFePO4 from an DIY electric vehicle conversion I upgraded and drove for years. From that experience, I know they drop off rapidly in current capability below about 50F and drawing current below 2v/cell does permanent irrevocable damage. Otherwise they proved very robust and produce dramatically better in all regards than SLA for a fraction the weight. And I know they have a nice low self-discharge another nice long winter months feature.

Would still love to hear from someone who has had it longer than a few months.

Thanks though!
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  #6  
Old 10-28-2015, 12:42 PM
Bevan Bevan is offline
 
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Bruce,

Here is an older thread in case you missed it...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...eferrerid=1843

Bevan
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RV7A Flying since 2015
O-360-A1F6 (parallel valve) 180HP
Dual P-mags
Precision F.I. with AP purge valve
Vinyl Wrapped Exterior
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Located in western Canada
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  #7  
Old 10-28-2015, 03:30 PM
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ppilotmike ppilotmike is offline
 
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Default +1 EarthX Batteries

I too, believe that EarthX is on the right track. They are really pushing to develop their aircraft batteries to be safe and reliable for use in experimental aviation. They have also been very open to discuss & educate experimental guys like us on topics such as Amp Hours, Cold Cranking abilities and others. I have one of their batteries in my motorcycle now. Maybe when the time comes, I'll put one in the plane too..
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  #8  
Old 10-28-2015, 11:38 PM
Evolution10 Evolution10 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: oregon
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Bought the EarthX, never worked from the start (read would not turn engine at all). I even bought the Optima4 charger for it. For now I traded back to Concorde. I will call EarthX up soon.
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  #9  
Old 10-29-2015, 07:53 AM
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NovaBandit NovaBandit is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Evolution10 View Post
Bought the EarthX, never worked from the start (read would not turn engine at all). I even bought the Optima4 charger for it. For now I traded back to Concorde. I will call EarthX up soon.
I've got the EarthX 36, and it turns my IO540 like crazy... and I think the 10 is the worst case scenario. Long battery cables with the battery in the tailcone, and a 6 cylinder engine.

I've only had to start down to 27 degrees so far, but no change in the cranking performance in those conditions.
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  #10  
Old 10-29-2015, 08:18 AM
Canadian_JOY Canadian_JOY is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
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I was going to use an Odyssey PC680 in our project plane, and I even bought a pair of them for this very purpose. Then the battery in my wife's Miata failed, so one of the 680's was called into service. Uh oh, now the lawn tractor won't start. Dang, there goes the second 680.

Now that I have no 680's in stock, I'm giving consideration to going the EarthX route.

What I'd like to know is how large is the install base and what is the fleet flight hour accumulation on these LiFePo batteries. In short, I'd like to get a sense of overall reliability. A second important consideration for me is, being a Canuck, I have to have a battery that will make things go when it's cold. I mean cold, as in -20C (my personal cutoff for flying).
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