Shorai LFX36A3 LiFePo Cockpit Install

[b432291]

Because I was worried about a battery overheat in the Engine Bay, I mounted my 5lb, 36Ah (or is it really 12Ah) top of the line Shorai under the Instrument Panel. I will try to post pics to help explain what I did. I also have a battery temperature monitor of sorts. After 40 hours, the install seems fine, with the battery never exceeding 100 degrees.

[b432291]

This shot is looking up under the Instrument Panel (my 7A is a slider). Yes, there is air in the copilot brake line The battery sits on a shelf between the ribs, with foam below and above to support the battery, although at only 5 lbs I'm pretty sure the stout terminals could be used as the only support. The negative bolts right to the rib, and the Aluminum Support Angle. That angle is my negative buss. The right side goes to the Master Relay. Note the small black wire which goes between the battery and the shelf, that's the temperature probe. The bigger black wire above it is the custom charger connection used to "balance" the battery, which I do every few months.



Another view looking straight up from the floor, at the top of the picture is the back of my ICOM radio.



The last pic is my battery temperature monitor (to be removed). The outside temp is the probe which is next to the battery.

[Steve Melton]

I wouldn't have thought it was possible to tuck a starter battery behind the instrument panel until I saw this. obvious concern with battery temp but you have the monitor. my hat's off to you! I have the 20+ lb concorde battery on the firewall,...ouch!

[ColoRv]

Putting a new technology that close to you in flight is taking a huge leap of faith. I know the manufacturers say a lifepo can not catch fire, but it has certainly happened.

lifepo fire

Battery info

What charging system are you using? I really like the idea of these new batteries but I've been in more than one burning race car and the idea of being in something like that with 15k feet between me and safety and no way to shut the fire down freaks me right out.

[b432291]

I am NOT RECOMMENDING this for anyone else, but so far it's worked for me. BTW, Shorai specifically says 24A max change, because the only alternator I have is the B&C "back of engine" SD-20 (which I have seen to deliver about 25 max amps) I should be good there. Oh, I do like to fly "nap-of-earth" most of the time, so putting her on the ground in a couple of minutes should be possible.

[ChiefPilot]

Originally Posted by ColoRv

Putting a new technology that close to you in flight is taking a huge leap of faith. I know the manufacturers say a lifepo can not catch fire, but it has certainly happened.

lifepo fire

Battery info

What charging system are you using? I really like the idea of these new batteries but I've been in more than one burning race car and the idea of being in something like that with 15k feet between me and safety and no way to shut the fire down freaks me right out.

Scary, but not conclusive - the second link refers to the first, and the discussion in the first link points out that no one knows the cause of the fire. It certainly could have battery related, or it could have been something else entirely.

[b432291]

Scary in my experience was when I turned on the boost pump AS I was cleared to takeoff and GAS stated leaking and pooling on the cockpit floor! I don't know how, but the leak ended up being the "Fuel Lube" giving way on one of the threaded connections. That was freaking scary.