ES PC680 Odessey Battery Box Install ?

[hammer408]

I'm somewhat confused and maybe someone can clarify the installation of the Odessey Battery Box on the firewall of a 9A with O320 engine.

The instructions state to mount the box on the left side of the firewall - that is the left side looking at the firewall from the engine side and right side looking from the cabin compartment(pilots seat) - below the brake reservior.

Isn't the starter on a O320 located on the left side of the engine - looking at the engine from the cabin compartment(pilot's seat) and wouldn't it make sense to place the box on the left side - looking at the engine from the cabin compartment (pilot's seat)? Or is the starter on the right side of the engine, thus the box would be placed on the right side of the firewall (from the pilot's prespective) as the drawings state?

Somewhat confused?????

Any help appreciated.

 

[Vern]

Battery box install

The plans are correct. Works fine as you describe. Fuel lines, gascalator,etc will be on the other side. A piece of duct tape or similar directly above the battery box is useful during cable hook up to prevent accidental 'sparking' when you put cables on and off. That little battery can burn a spark hole right through that stainless firewall! Use caution.

 

[Dave Cole]

Actually, the plans do show the PC680 battery and contactors located just above the gascolator on the right side of the firewall (or left side when facing rearward). And, yes, the starter is on the left front of the engine, or opposite the side of the battery.

I assume you are thinking that the battery location should be selected to minimize the length of wire from the battery to the starter. While that certainly makes sense, that is not how it's generally being done. The battery location shown in the plans works fine.

 

[N916K]

The instructions state to mount the box on the left side of the firewall - that is the left side looking at the firewall from the engine side and right side looking from the cabin compartment(pilots seat) - below the brake reservior.

Isn't the starter on a O320 located on the left side of the engine - looking at the engine from the cabin compartment(pilot's seat) and wouldn't it make sense to place the box on the left side - looking at the engine from the cabin compartment (pilot's seat)? Or is the starter on the right side of the engine, thus the box would be placed on the right side of the firewall (from the pilot's prespective) as the drawings state?

If you mount the battery on the pilots side of the plane then you will have problems with the oil cooler. Van's has a nice layout for the battery, master relay, starter relay and gascolator. If you stick to it you won't have any problems.

 

[N941WR]

Check this picture out:

 

[hammer408]

Thanks.......appreciate all your input.........I really thought that I should follow Van's instructions.they haven't really been wrong yet. Just needed to get others opinions.

Thanks again......

Henry

 

[lucky333]

Sequence of connnections

A piece of duct tape or similar directly above the battery box is useful during cable hook up to prevent accidental 'sparking' when you put cables on and off. That little battery can burn a spark hole right through that stainless firewall! Use caution.

If you always disconnect the ground wire first and reconnect it last, this won't happen. That said, it wouldn't hurt to have some insulation behind the positive terminal in the event that the screw gets loose and the cable moves around.

John