Batteries at Oshkosh

[wlarson861]

The recommended Odyssey has 200 cca and 16 amp hours power. 12a has enough cca but a little short on the amp hours

[Bryan Cotton]

I could probably live with 4 ah if I was just considering how long I could run in flight with an alternator failure. Where the 4 ah would probably let me down is the Young Eagles scenario- a bunch of short rides back to back. I assume everybody is going with the 680 or does anybody have operational experience with something smaller?

[jjbardell]

I'd recommend the 680. It's still not a lot of juice as it can only handle about 5 starts before you get to the circuit cutoff. I find that even the 680 is pretty easy to kill. Now, I'll be the first to admit my plane is an electrical hungry plane.

I could probably live with 4 ah if I was just considering how long I could run in flight with an alternator failure. Where the 4 ah would probably let me down is the Young Eagles scenario- a bunch of short rides back to back. I assume everybody is going with the 680 or does anybody have operational experience with something smaller?

[Bryan Cotton]

Josh,
That is a great real world data point. Do you put it on charge in the hangar as a general rule or is that not required?

[DCASonex]

Consider the EarthEX 900, same exterior size as the 680, but same higher amp hour rating of the Odyssey 680.

David A.

[Bryan Cotton]

David, if the 900 were the same price I would go that route, but I am in sticker shock already.

Is the 680 or 680C better for our airframes? C has smaller footprint but is thicker, 3.4" vs 3.1".

I am going to build my own battery box. Helps with the sticker shock.

[GordonTurner]

Just throwing this out there. I have the idea to use two ETX-18's, each with it's own master solonoid onto the main bus, and with a diode setup to keep #2 charged while operating on #1. Would be able to parallel them if necessary for start. Would ensure a fully charged battery available to sustain ignition if necessary. Interested in comments.

Gordon