EarthX battery questions

Tankerpilot75 · #1 08-17-2017, 05:54 PM

I currently have the Odyssey PC 680 battery in my RV7A (IO-360 with 60 amp alternator). It's really having a hard time turning over the engine (usually one half crank initially). Today it wouldn't hardly turn over at all and it's been on a battery minder for over a week (one specifically for the Odyssey battery). My battery is at least three years old but I suspect older since I'm the second owner and have owned it over two and a half years.

Here are my questions:
1. EarthX website says their battery has over twice the cranking power of the Odyssey. Of those that have installed the EarthX battery, can you confirm a significant difference in starting power?
2. When you replaced your old battery with the EarthX, was the smaller foot print a problem for you?
3. I'm a little concerned about having a lithium battery in the airplane due to the press reports of those batteries over heating and catching fire. EarthX literature indicates several safety features. What is the VAF consensus of this battery?
4. At OSHKOSH I believe there was some type of special pricing on the EarthX battery. Does anyone know whether any special pricing still exist?
5. The battery minder I have doesn't appear to work with the EarthX battery. Is there any other battery that has high cranking amps that will work with my battery minder?

Rotorheadrob · #2 08-17-2017, 07:08 PM

Replaced my Odyssey with an EarthX Battery and have NO REGRETS!

1. Cranks way better. Looks like it's going to spin the prop clean off. Much better than the two previous Odyssey batteries I had used.

2. No problem with footprint. Fit right in the same tray the old one was in. Also, it weights less and that's good.

3. Yeah, I had some concerns also initially but, this battery comes with a wire that you use to install a little caution light to in the cockpit so if the batt has any, internally monitored, issues, the light comes on and gives you a "heads up". You'll have to make your own decisions but, I'm pleased dispite the hype.

4. I had to work so couldn't make it to OSH but, there usually are "show specials" at OSH so give 'em a call.

5. The battery does require a different trickle charger,,, check out thier website for details. When you call them up, they'll explain.

You didn't ask a 6th question but, I'm going to add it here,,, Customer Support,,,

I've had two "false alarms" which were MY Fault or, better so say, Not the battery's problem.

1st, I discharged the battery when I left the AC power on too long and they didn't hesitate to help me out with "how to" get it sorted out. I'm not electrical genius but, the thing has built in protection that protects it from discharge problems. After you plug it into the proper charger (I didn't have at that time) it flips the protection mode off and allows the charger to do it's thing.

The 2nd time was while I had a VIP onboard (my young niece) and i noticed my little cockpit light came on-turned out my heated back seat had a shorted wire which was rapidly discharging the battery and it was warning me. We landed and I called the lovely ladies at EarthX and by the time I got home to Oregon, I had a replacement battery waiting for me! They were great!! Even though I didn't "have to" replace the battery, they where very clear that they wanted to take care of those who use thier batteries in aircraft.

You should of course proceed with caution with any electrical power changes but, I can easily recommend EarthX. Have now flown a couple hundred hours with one-only my own fault for the issues I've had.

Send me a PM with any questions or to chat further.

Walt · #3 08-17-2017, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tankerpilot75

I currently have the Odyssey PC 680 battery in my RV7A (IO-360 with 60 amp alternator). It's really having a hard time turning over the engine (usually one half crank initially). Today it wouldn't hardly turn over at all and it's been on a battery minder for over a week (one specifically for the Odyssey battery). My battery is at least three years old but I suspect older since I'm the second owner and have owned it over two and a half years.

Starter problems perhaps?

tspear · #4 08-17-2017, 07:24 PM

I have read this in a few locations, standard wiring systems have an over current breaker, they do not have an over voltage regulator.
If you install an EarthX, make sure to add an over voltage regulator.

I am sure I am going to get this part wrong; but one of the more possible scenarios which may harm the battery deals with worn brushes. The alternator field current is reactive, and due to delays in how this works, when loads are added/removed you can get brief spikes. If the brushes are worn, the length and magnitude of the spikes increases. Eventually the spikes can not only damage the battery, but can cause it to overheat.

There is a device you can inline to prevent this, called MOV if I remember correctly. Here is a link in electrical gibberish which explains the MOV: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varistor
Make sure you talk to someone who actually understands this stuff before taking any of my advice.

Tim

RVbySDI · #5 08-17-2017, 08:15 PM

Hey Jim,
You can come over and look at mine if you want a first hand look at one. I can show you what I have and talk about any of your questions. I love the cranking power. It cranks much faster than the Odyssey. Give me a call.

BillL · #6 08-17-2017, 09:09 PM

Suggest you diagnose the cause of your starting problem before selecting a new battery.

Tankerpilot75 · #7 08-17-2017, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walt

Starter problems perhaps?

No Walt. We checked that out first along with making sure cables were properly sized and all connections clean. What convinced me and an A&P/IA that volunteered to look at it was using my car battery to try to jump start things (without actually starting). With the car battery assistance it really spun the prop. The A&P/IA said that proved everything else was okay but my problem definitely was battery.

Tankerpilot75 · #8 08-17-2017, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVbySDI

Hey Jim,
You can come over and look at mine if you want a first hand look at one. I can show you what I have and talk about any of your questions. I love the cranking power. It cranks much faster than the Odyssey. Give me a call.

Will call Friday. Got to fly today in a friend's turbine bonanza. What a sweet ride!

Tankerpilot75 · #9 08-17-2017, 10:21 PM

I've been looking at some other options besides the EarthX. My major goal with this swap out is of course addressing cranking power. It seems Odyssey also make the SBS-J16 battery in the same foot print (size) as the PC680. However Aircraft Spruce lists the SBS-J16 CCAs as 300 and PHCA as 680 compared to CCA 170/PHCA 520 for the PC680. Those are significantly higher numbers for a few dollars more and keeps everything else the same (battery type, foot print, type of charger).

Does anyone know anything about the Odyssey SBS-J16? Spruce has it as an FAA PMA certified battery. Anyone's thoughts?

Kyle Boatright · #10 08-17-2017, 10:33 PM

A PC-680 has plenty of cranking power if the battery and cranking system are healthy. I have a lightweight prop, a Skytech NL starter, and a PC-680 and the engine turns over effortlessly. You may have a tired battery or something else amiss in your starting system. The EarthX and similar batteries are not the solution to poor starting - they are beneficial for removing excess weight.

Do you have a grounding strap from your crankcase to a common ground point with your battery?