LiFePo battery? - Page 25

Andy Hill · #**241** 06-18-2014, 03:04 AM

Bryon

We bought a PC680 in 2007. It has been in/out of 2 RVs, but flying ~125hr pa. It has been charged about twice (due periods on non-use, or run down by neglect). Altn varied PP60A / Vans 40A / PP 30A.

Your avionics and smoke should have little to do with the battery if the high loads are run from the Alternator? If your ammeter is in the battery line, rather than alternator, one would think like us you might see max 20A post start, dropping quickly to say 5A, and after a bit max 1-2A.

I appreciate a wise man would now replace it, but it has done v well.

I can only think there is something in your setup killing otherwise good batteries? Or the charger.

kiwipete · #**242** 06-18-2014, 03:32 AM

Like Andy's above mine was new in 2007. It's only been on a charger once when I left the master on by mistake.
400 hours 7 years and starts fine.
The trend seems to be that those batteries that never go on a trickle charger last for years, those that are trickle charged die in about a year.

Cheers

Peter

rv7charlie · #**243** 06-18-2014, 05:27 AM

My experience is similar to Pete's; I've been lucky to fly 20 hrs a year for the last few years, & rarely use a charger on my no-name SLA battery (22AH in the same footprint as a PC680). The current battery is several years old and starts the plane fine after sitting idle for weeks.

In a properly designed and operating electrical system, the battery will only supply current during startup and when the charging system has failed. Rare exceptions might be something like an old 'classic' no-electrical system a/c that has had a battery, starter & comm radio added & flies without any charging system at all, but the only demand on the battery would be the insignificant load of the comm (idle most of the time).

Charlie

EarthX Lithium · #**244** 06-18-2014, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2flypilot

I need to find another battery that will fit in my battery box and that will not be failing me every year. I have been flying my RV-7A for a little over 5 years and I have replaced my Odyssey PC680 6 times. I typically cannot even get a year out if them. I have spoken with Odyssey multiple times and have thoroughly checked my charging system as well as had my 60 AMP Plane Power alternator checked. The only thing I can figure is that this battery is undersized for my application since I have a lot of avionics in my panel and see up to 40 Amps when my smoke system and all my equipment is running. Maybe the battery cannot handle this much current running through it and therefore it fails quickly? I also use the Odyssey float charger in the winter when not flying often that is specified for this battery so it can't be the charger causing this problem. Anyone have any ideas or a battery recommendation please feel free to let me know.

Sorry to hear about the yearly replacement issue. Here is an idea though....you mentioned you have a lot of avionics in your panel and the capacity of the battery is what will run these instruments. The PC680 has 12.8 amp capacity. If this is truly the problem and you need more capacity, we do sell a 24ah capacity battery, the ETX48E that weighs 7.7 pounds. Or, if that is not the problem, our ETX36D has 12ah capacity and comes with a 2 year complete warranty so you for SURE do not need to buy a new one every year. And I have to be honest, I hear a lot of feedback about the Odyssey as being a really great battery that pilots get at least 3 years out of them and what you describe is not a common story on our end so the use of that charger in the off season might be a definite factor.

Kathy (EarthX Lithium Batteries)

luv2flypilot · #**245** 06-18-2014, 09:42 AM

Thanks for all your input. I am 99% sure it is not my charging system as I have gone through it with a fine tooth comb and even had pulled my alternator and had it tested. Odyssey told me that it is possible that my battery is undersized for my application. I am just tired of having to bring an extra battery with me on trips since I have been stuck in Oregon and SoCal with battery issues. I am assuming that the failure may be because of the higher load of my panel where I constantly see 30-40 amps running on my Vertical Power LCD display when I have everything running. I have a 60 amp Plane Power alternator and it works just fine and I have metered 14.17 volts at the battery while the engine is running. As of the last battery replacement which was last month, I have not used the Odyssey charger that I have even though they have told me that that should not be a problem. I have a memory wire connected to my battery for a DVD player that runs my cameras and Sirius XM radio that draws very little current while the plane is sitting, however if it sat for a few months during the winter I would assume this would draw the battery down and that is why I use the float charger int hew winter. I am just a bit frustrated and want to figure out why I keep having this problem or find a battery that will suffice my needs that will fit in my PC680 box that I have mounted on my firewall.

flyeyes · #**246** 06-18-2014, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2flypilot

I am just a bit frustrated and want to figure out why I keep having this problem or find a battery that will suffice my needs that will fit in my PC680 box that I have mounted on my firewall.

It sounds like you have adequately checked your charging system.

How hot does your battery get on the firewall? I'ved used these stickers on everything expensive or fragile under my cowl. It's made me change or add blast tubes more than once. Cheap and easy, the cost of one odyssey battery would buy a lifetime supply of the stickers...

sailvi767 · #**247** 06-18-2014, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by luv2flypilot

Thanks for all your input. I am 99% sure it is not my charging system as I have gone through it with a fine tooth comb and even had pulled my alternator and had it tested. Odyssey told me that it is possible that my battery is undersized for my application. I am just tired of having to bring an extra battery with me on trips since I have been stuck in Oregon and SoCal with battery issues. I am assuming that the failure may be because of the higher load of my panel where I constantly see 30-40 amps running on my Vertical Power LCD display when I have everything running. I have a 60 amp Plane Power alternator and it works just fine and I have metered 14.17 volts at the battery while the engine is running. As of the last battery replacement which was last month, I have not used the Odyssey charger that I have even though they have told me that that should not be a problem. I have a memory wire connected to my battery for a DVD player that runs my cameras and Sirius XM radio that draws very little current while the plane is sitting, however if it sat for a few months during the winter I would assume this would draw the battery down and that is why I use the float charger int hew winter. I am just a bit frustrated and want to figure out why I keep having this problem or find a battery that will suffice my needs that will fit in my PC680 box that I have mounted on my firewall.

Perhaps you have a bad charger. It seems like the one thing not checked.
George

luv2flypilot · #**248** 06-21-2014, 12:22 AM

Thanks for everyone's input. I received an email today from Odyssey stating the last battery that lasted less than a year appears to be a defective manufactured battery and they are sending me a new replacement. I already bought another so I will be putting this on my shelf as a spare. It also sounds that even though in speaking with Odyssey and they claim using their charger between flights won't hurt the battery, that other people have had good success with the PC680 by not using the charger/tinder between flights. With that being said, I am not going to use it unless my battery is too low to start my engine which may only be in the winter time if my plane sits a few months with the minimum current draw of the memory wire from my DVD Entertainment unit installed in my panel. Worse case I will charge it back up using my Odyssey 25A charger prior to flight. For you that thought possibly I had a bad charger, I ruled that out by purchasing another Odyssey charger last year and having the same problems.

Of course when it rains it pours. Just last Saturday I went to start my plane to fly up to Truckee for the weekend and my starter went out. This is the second SkyTec 12LS starter I have been through and the last one was replaced a little over a year ago when I got stranded in SoCal. SkyTec is going to warranty the starter and I am going to have them upgrade me to the NL heavier duty model, but need to get my plane up and running for a trip planned to Oregon next week so I decided to buy an X-Drive starter from Aircraft Spruce and either sell or keep the NL as a backup. A bunch of guys on here have had great luck switching to the X-Drive as well as it may help my battery issues along with not using the charger between flights as the X-Drive has a lower current draw. This should help especially since I have LASAR ignition that seems to draw quit a bit of current on start. Thanks for all your feedback.

EarthX Lithium · #**249** 06-23-2014, 11:39 AM

I just want to say how great it was the meet many VAF forum readers who stopped by the booth at the Rocky Mountain Air Show this past weekend in Loveland, Colorado....and also thank you all that bought a battery!

Kathy

EarthX Lithium · #**250** 06-25-2014, 01:24 PM

I just wanted to post some pictures sent to me by one of our customers named John who installed the ETX36D in his Zenith STOL CH750?s firewall where the Odyssey PC680 used to go and he gave me permission to post it. He did say it fit just fine in the battery box. And I hope I don't offend anyone posting a Zenith on a Vans forum........

Kathy