Battery

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by NYTOM

I finally have reached the stage where it's time to buy my battery.
Where's the best place to get the freshest PC680? I would hate to buy one that's been on the shelf for a year. Or in the case of the PC680 does it really matter?
Took a tour of a battery factory years ago and remembered the tech say that a batteries life ( lead acid anyway) starts the moment the plates are installed and to try to find the freshest battery you can find when buying one.

I got mine around this time in 2015 from BatteryMart with 10% off and free shipping (~$100). I wanted to use it when installing/testing avionics. First flight was Jan 2017 and I charged it periodically with an Odessey approved charger.

Wait for a Christmas special some time after Thanksgiving.

Gill ships their lead/acid batteries without fluid; maybe to retain the shelf life?

[NYTOM]

Originally Posted by Raymo

Wait for a Christmas special some time after Thanksgiving.

I can do that.
Thanks Ray

[lr172]

I have been very happy with the PowerSonic AGM batteries. THey have a model with the same dimensions as the 680 and it is 18ah rated. They also have an HD version in the same size with a 20ah rating. I chose the later when I replaced it this summer. It has held up very well and only cost about $65 on Amazon.

Larry

[Jermechanic]

Really happy with my Interstate Battery. 6years in my RV6 and going strong. I top it up occasionally with a battery maintainer to keep it happy.

Fairly easy to source locally. Around $130

Battery Family: High Performance, Maintenance Free
Battery Type: YTX20HL-BS
Voltage: 12
Capacity: 18
Dimensions: 6.875" x 3.4375" x 6.125"
Weight: 12.4lbs.
Metric Dimensions: 175mm x 87mm x 155mm
MetricWeight: 5.6kg
Polarity:
Acid Volume: 0.93
Amps: 1.8
C.C.A.: 310

[Abbygirl1]

Originally Posted by rv7charlie

The PC680 has become the defacto standard for a lot of us. But if you're willing to look a little deeper, there are other useful options. I've had one similar to this:
https://www.apexbattery.com/ub1220-1...AaAtXyEALw_wcB

in my 160 HP -4 for about 4 years now, and I've used the 18AH versions for the previous couple of decades. Four to six year life, and the batteries tend to sit for weeks at a time because I don't fly much.

One potential advantage to the 22 AH size batteries like the link is that if you have an electrically dependent a/c, it has significantly more total energy than a PC680, which is a 16 AH battery (meaning longer duration with normal electrical loads in the event of an alternator failure).

If you're one of those who needs the brand-name for confidence, go with the PC680, but if you're value-oriented enough to do more research, these 'no-name' batteries are worth a look. They have the same AGM technology as the PC680. The primary difference is that they are optimized primarily for continuous load, instead of starting. But they still have more than adequate 'CCA' numbers for cranking our engines.

The 22 AH models have an almost identical footprint as a PC680, but they are slightly taller. Do your homework before purchasing; neither is a physical drop-in replacement for the old wet cell lawn tractor or a/c batteries we used to use.

Charlie

Charlie,
Just ordered the one you referenced. Looks like it should work fine. Mine is mounted in between the rudder pedals.

[ABRV4]

I've been using the PC625 in my 160 hp -4 for years. It is slightly smaller and lighter than the PC680 and is more powerful.

[rocketbob]

http://www.gruberpower.com/12-volt-1...our-ah-battery

I have these flying in a few airplanes I maintain and they have been flawless. Better performing than the PC680's they replaced.

[Sam Buchanan]

I have also used the less expensive AGM batteries in the RV-6 and now have one in the Fokker replica. However, keep in mind the terminals are not as robust as the ones on the PC680, so good installation practice includes assuring the terminals are not stressed by poor cable orientation or lack of support. But the batteries are a good value in many aircraft applications.

[rocketbob]

The terminals are plated steel on the Gruber batteries. You could probably lift the airplane with one of the terminals if the battery is strapped down well.

[lr172]

Originally Posted by rocketbob

http://www.gruberpower.com/12-volt-1...our-ah-battery

I have these flying in a few airplanes I maintain and they have been flawless. Better performing than the PC680's they replaced.

This one looks identical to the Powersonic, so I would guess it comes from the same manufacturer, whoever that is.