portable jump battery

[BillL]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Test revealed that the unit is quite capable of turning a 6cyl 9:1 with a composite prop with the ships battery disconnected. The only thing powering the plane was this device. Device was a Rockford RFDPPJS2976DLX. Amazing really when you see how small the thing is.

Not surprising - the actual peak amps (cranking torque) for a 6 vs 4 cylinder is the same as the first cylinder (from rest) comes to it's first compression stroke. Thereafter, the 6 has some help from other cylinders on the expansion stroke that the 4 does not. The batteries are typically larger for the power needed not peak amps.

Real question - On one hand, I am a little surprised that the A Team is having a need for jump starting. Just a little, as you are considered well maintained, but (on the other hand) the operations pace may have yielded the need. So- I had previously concluded that no special connector was needed on my steed to facilitate jump starting. Should I revisit that decision based on the A Team's experiences? Your thoughts are appreciated if it is not too far off topic.

[Kahuna]

Originally Posted by BillL

Real question - On one hand, I am a little surprised that the A Team is having a need for jump starting. Just a little, as you are considered well maintained, but (on the other hand) the operations pace may have yielded the need. So- I had previously concluded that no special connector was needed on my steed to facilitate jump starting. Should I revisit that decision based on the A Team's experiences? Your thoughts are appreciated if it is not too far off topic.

Dead batteries are not a maintenance issue, its a pilot issue. With a large number of pilots, a large number of events, and a large number of movements in a day, you can image the opportunities for pilot error. When one plane is dead. We all jump in. And We Dont want to be "that guy", so we carry backup power.

I would not make a special plug. As long as you have a way to get to your battery, or master contactor, or starter contactor, you will be fine. If you dont have a way to those, then a remote jump jack might be useful. For most people, if you have to tear apart the plane to get to the battery once every other year for a jump, its no problem. For us, we need to get to it now!

[krw5927]

Originally Posted by rocketman1988

Better get rid of your cell phone before it starts billowing smoke...you know, those dangerous lithium batteries...

Seriously, I have been using lithium type batteries pretty much since they made it to market and the only problem i have ever had was due to mechanically damaging a pack. Yes, it did swell up. No, it did not smoke or burst into flames.

Treated with the proper care and respect, I think the lithium batteries are great...

In fact, the only catastrophic failure that I have ever had was a lead acid battery that exploded and showered three people with battery acid...

Have a read of the NTSB final report on the B787 battery fire in Boston here:

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/attac...2&d=1417522601

What makes this less-than-$100 battery pack so special that it's immune from the same failure modes? And if it's so great, why didn't Thales just use those? Seems they could've saved a bunch of money.