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  #1  
Old 08-22-2016, 04:43 PM
Andrew Hamilton Andrew Hamilton is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Illabo NSW Australia
Posts: 10
Default JUMP STARTING

Not so much an RV-7A question, but all RV's with the battery on the LHS of the firewall.

Due to the time involved in removing the cowls I was thinking of placing some remote battery terminal posts possibly fastened to the engine mounts below the oil filler door.

Couldn't find any posts on the subject so was wondering has anyone else done something similar.

If posts were mounted below the oil door they could be easily accessed for the new mini jump starters that are now quite common.

Remote posts could be fabricated or bought as parts from the many cars that have a similar thing when their battery is placed in the boot/trunk.

I have enough suitable cable left over from the build so am wondering if there is any reason not to try this.

My thought was to run the positive lead straight from the battery but maybe the negative lead as an earth from the engine as it is closer.

The posts could be suitably capped when not in use. I think these points could also be used for charging the battery too ?

Would appreciate any thoughts on if this sensible and the best way to go about it.

Cheers,
Andrew Hamilton
Australia
RV-7A
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  #2  
Old 08-22-2016, 05:02 PM
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Vlad Vlad is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
Default

Good question Andrew and I am sure you will get an opinion of an engineer. I jumped my airplanes a dozen times over the years. I used the battery of my and jumping cables from autoparts store. The stock cable can't grab the positive terminal bolt the clamp is too thick and clumsy. Using a Dremel tool I filed the clamp and cut little teeth for better grab. I also wrapped the positive clamp with insulation tape in case if it slips it doesn't shorten on firewall or battery box cover.

Edit; I fit the jumping cables through the oil door. They have to be long enough and they have to be secured (I tape them to the cowl). Otherwise the slip stream and engine vibration will create inconvenience
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Last edited by Vlad : 08-22-2016 at 05:21 PM.
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  #3  
Old 08-22-2016, 05:19 PM
Tony Rome Tony Rome is offline
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Illinois
Posts: 40
Default EAA suggestion

Attached below is a link to a EAA web video. It describes a method to solve a dead battery issue. Actually, it's pretty clever.

Best,
Tony

http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1009394733001
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  #4  
Old 08-22-2016, 06:23 PM
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Carl Froehlich Carl Froehlich is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Dogwood Airpark (VA42)
Posts: 2,596
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony Rome View Post
Attached below is a link to a EAA web video. It describes a method to solve a dead battery issue. Actually, it's pretty clever.

Best,
Tony

http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1009394733001
I watched the video and would not recommend doing this. Mixing common AC plugs with hard connections to a battery is asking for someone to figure out how to plug your battery to AC power.

There are hundreds of options to do this using unique connectors that will not be mistaken for something else.

Carl
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  #5  
Old 08-22-2016, 07:43 PM
Bevan Bevan is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BC
Posts: 1,674
Default

I feel the same way. That 14AWG cable is marginal for a jump start.

I bought a piper style power socket and wired it directly to the battery with the appropriate guage wire. The piper plug is concealed behind a used cessna oil access door glassed into the bottom of the engine cowl near the battery.

Also bought a set of jumper cables to match for 1/2 price on ebay and carry those in my bag of tie down equipment.

I've had to use it once already. Very easy and safe to get to it.

Bevan
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Last edited by Bevan : 08-23-2016 at 10:44 AM.
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  #6  
Old 08-22-2016, 08:12 PM
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bret bret is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Gardnerville Nv.
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Incredible! DANG! WARNING! I did this two weeks ago and did not see this vid but did the exact thing, but I hooked up the male plug to my NEW high tech LI ION battery charger.......can you see where this is going.....so the next day I walk in the garage and thought I would charge my new battery and so I plug in my new set up and POP! plugged in the 12 v DC output into the wall.......there goes 150.00
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  #7  
Old 08-22-2016, 08:35 PM
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Jesse Jesse is offline
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: X35 - Ocala, FL
Posts: 3,679
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Carl Froehlich View Post
I watched the video and would not recommend doing this. Mixing common AC plugs with hard connections to a battery is asking for someone to figure out how to plug your battery to AC power.

There are hundreds of options to do this using unique connectors that will not be mistaken for something else.

Carl
I don't know that I completely agree with this. I do agree with the other comment that 14AWG wire is not good to jump it with, but it is good enough to charge it with then start the engine after it's charged. The way he does this uses the female on the battery side. Unless you have a hardware store that sells male-male extension cords, you can't accidentally plug it in wrong. It's actually a very simple and clean way to charge it up IMHO.
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  #8  
Old 08-22-2016, 10:13 PM
tim2542 tim2542 is offline
 
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Location: Redding,Ca
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FWIW, charging a dead battery is pretty hard on an alternator, and in the hazards of flying on a already dead battery and charging is probably a better option.
Tim Andres
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  #9  
Old 08-22-2016, 10:36 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Hubbard Oregon
Posts: 9,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tim2542 View Post
FWIW, charging a dead battery is pretty hard on an alternator, and in the hazards of flying on a already dead battery and charging is probably a better option.
Tim Andres
I agree.

In my shop, we will only resolve a no start problem by charging the battery long enough that the engine will crank and start on its own. That usually gets it charge enough that it is not a huge charge current from the alt. to the battery after the engine starts.
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  #10  
Old 08-23-2016, 12:04 AM
mr.sun mr.sun is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Wet, Western Washington
Posts: 157
Default Charging cord

I use a polarized dc plug that matches my trickle charger on the end of a 12' piece of 14 gauge duplex stranded wire. Color coded clips on the other end. The short pigtail with the matching polarized plug is near the oil door and power goes thru a 10 amp, self resetting RV breaker. I made two of these up so I have no excuse not to have one with me. Actually charged up battery one time from a groundskeeper's riding lawn mower in the time it took us to walk over to a bench, talk about airplanes and politics and then walk back to start the plane. Never even attempt to crank with it connected. Just top it off for 20 minutes or whatever it takes. Works great for me.
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