EarthX ETX680C

[edclee]

Originally Posted by Jetmart

Has anyone installed a set of battery charger leads for periods of inactivity?

Yes, I have a pigtail on my battery and have it plugged into the charger all the time. Never a problem in several years in my Sonex, now in the RV9A
Ed

[svyolo]

Several of the battery companies selling to auto/powersports list their capacities as Pb/equivalent. The actual capacity is less, by as much as 2/3. Reading EarthX's stuff makes me think their capacity is actual Ah rating, and listed as a "1C" rate, which means pulling the battery down in 1 hour.

Also the weight of the EarthX vs the "others" makes me also think the EarthX is actual AH capacity.

[togaflyer]

The Earth X battery has some good features but the control board on their battery is not one of them. Had one fail on me. Because I was AOG and could not wait for the battery to be repaired, for a cost, I ended up installing a Odyssey battery to get home. Earth X should offer an extended coverage on their circuit board since there have been failures with it.

[219PB]

I am aware of this and take care when inserting. To be honest, I have not used the charging option in over a year. I fly at least once per week and the batteries never need the additional charging.

[Flyingbeard]

Hi Everyone,

I have been traveling for work, but I got my battery sent back to EarthX. They evaluated it and found a cell that was drained below it’s minimum voltage (9V). When this happens it becomes damaged and will not accept a charge anymore.

So, the battery was damaged and out of warranty. EarthX offered me a new or refurbished replacement battery at a discount. I chose the new battery as it came with a 2 year warranty.

Thanks to Kathy at EarthX for going the extra mile and helping me out. The new battery will be waiting for me when I get back to the airplane.

[EarthX Lithium]

Originally Posted by Flyingbeard

Hi Everyone,

I have been traveling for work, but I got my battery sent back to EarthX. They evaluated it and found a cell that was drained below it’s minimum voltage (9V). When this happens it becomes damaged and will not accept a charge anymore.

So, the battery was damaged and out of warranty. EarthX offered me a new or refurbished replacement battery at a discount. I chose the new battery as it came with a 2 year warranty.

Thanks to Kathy at EarthX for going the extra mile and helping me out. The new battery will be waiting for me when I get back to the airplane.

Dear Mark,

It was a pleasure to work with you and I am glad you are pleased. EarthX does strive to provide excellent customer service and support and we do truly appreciate your business!
This is NOT directed to you or your specific situation, but this might be a good thread to post some “GOLDEN RULES” about batteries, lead acid or lithium.

1. All batteries will fail at some point. They do not have infinite life spans no matter how awesome you take care of them or how much you spend.
2. All products can have a manufacturing defect. It is impossible to have a 0% failure rate. Typically, a manufacturing defect will occur much sooner than later.
3. All batteries will lose their charge (voltage) with time. There is no battery chemistry invented where this does not apply. Either your vehicles charging system will charge the battery when in use, or you must use a charger. Even if the battery is “new in the box” where you have stored it for years. Time does not stop and the aging process continues.
4. All batteries will be permanently damaged if left in a discharged state, the amount of damage depends on the depth of discharge and how long it remained in this state (<9 volts for LiFePo4).
5. Lead acid batteries are more susceptible to freezing and once frozen, will be permanently damaged.
6. Using an undersized battery (capacity and/or cranking) will shorten a batteries life and can cause damage.
7. Using and storing a battery in excessive heat, will shorten a batteries life. (The manufacturer should have this listed what their temperate range is)

The battery is a very important component in your vehicles charging system. Read the warnings and manual of whatever battery you choose to properly maintain it to avoid frustrating and avoidable failures.

[togaflyer]

Kathy,
since traditional batteries do not have circuit boards that can fail, but the EarthX batteries do, don’t you think there should be some additional coverage on the battery circuit board.

[EarthX Lithium]

Thank you for the question. EarthX does offer a 2 year full coverage warranty. The nature of all electronic component failures, it will either fail very early in life (certainly within the 2 year coverage time frame) or in this application, long after the cells have outlived their useful life. (Called the “bathtub effect”). This is very rare to have an electronic component failure but in the event there is one, the aircraft designed batteries will illuminate a solid LED alert, which is not a single point of failure as the BMS circuit board is redundant for backup protection.

[ksdflying]

I have to give credit where credit is due. EarthX absolutely deserves respect! I am abundantly relieved and happy with the lipo batteries I invested in. I had an issue but because I hastily bought my batteries a year ago and stuck them in my home closet. Had an issue last month when I opened them. I sent my batteries back to EarthX and they took care of the situation better than I deserve I am guessing. I attest that they truly do care about us little homebuilt guys a great deal. Much respect. I work in Tech industry as an engineer in silicon valley at the big one, and earthX is legit and deserves serious consideration. Its a fact this technology is the future. Total honesty here.

[EarthX Lithium]

Originally Posted by ksdflying

I have to give credit where credit is due. EarthX absolutely deserves respect! I am abundantly relieved and happy with the lipo batteries I invested in. I had an issue but because I hastily bought my batteries a year ago and stuck them in my home closet. Had an issue last month when I opened them. I sent my batteries back to EarthX and they took care of the situation better than I deserve I am guessing. I attest that they truly do care about us little homebuilt guys a great deal. Much respect. I work in Tech industry as an engineer in silicon valley at the big one, and earthX is legit and deserves serious consideration. Its a fact this technology is the future. Total honesty here.

Thank you! We are very pleased to be able to provide you service above and beyond your expectations.