SonexBuilders.net

After spending a rare 50 degree warm day in the northeast the other week unable to fly because of a dead battery I'm looking for a way to be able to jump start my Sonex. Has anyone come up with a good way to run a remote terminal or plug that hooks to the positive terminal of the battery? I would prefer something that doesn't involve cutting a large hole in the cowling if possible since it is already painted. Maybe something that can be accessed by where the exhausts exits or up by the fuel door? Any suggestions?

Keith
#554

I have a 175A Anderson plug mounted behind a small cowl door on the LH side below the battery.
I can't see any reason why you couldn't mount one in such a way as to access it via the bottom cowling outlet... ?

Haven't had to use it for a jumpstart but it is a handy way to quickly hook up a charger

You might consider installing a 3/8 brass bolt through a convenient place on the cowling fiberglass, preferably a cowl component that doesn't get removed very often. With the head outboard and double nutted with a small gap between the bolt head and outboard nut, a jumper cable could be clipped on the bolt head. Would want to use heavy gauge cable to the battery to reduce heating of the components while cranking with the heavy current. If the bolt gets too hot, it could damage the fiberglass. Might consider a second one for the ground. If just clipping the jumper ground to something like the exhaust, no telling what components/junctions the high current may be going through. A negative lead coming off one of the started attach bolts would probably be a good place to pick up the neg side. Down side is the bolt heads might add a little drag if in the slipstream. There are other "standard" high current connector solutions, but they usually require the jumper cable have a specific mating connector type. :roll:

I use a trolling motor plug hooked to the battery box. I use it to keep a maintenance charge on my battery and also have two assessory plugs using a cigarette lighter plug to a Harbour fright solar panel when I am parked outside (otherwise it is always hooked up to my "Buddy" miantenance charget. I also have a third plug with two heavy bolts attached and electrically isolated so I can "jump start with a car or separate battery.
Jack L
N369UR
I am looking for photos or I can take phots if you want
Flightsail6@aol.com

kmacht wrote:After spending a rare 50 degree warm day in the northeast the other week unable to fly because of a dead battery I'm looking for a way to be able to jump start my Sonex. Has anyone come up with a good way to run a remote terminal or plug that hooks to the positive terminal of the battery? I would prefer something that doesn't involve cutting a large hole in the cowling if possible since it is already painted. Maybe something that can be accessed by where the exhausts exits or up by the fuel door? Any suggestions?

Keith
#554

Keith:
This is what I'm planning to do.
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/display_l ... 2107&row=1

Mike

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EAA has a great 3 minute video on making a simple lightweight external power source plug, here's the link.

http://eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1009394733001

I mounted mine at the cowling air outlet, it works Great!

Happy Landings
John
N50NX

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I have used this method for over two years. The plug lies near the air outlet and causes me to crawl under the plane to make the connection. The male end goes to a simple piece of 2x4 that has a couple of copper fittings attached that the charger can attach to. I use this to keep the battery topped and to jump start the battery when it is too low.

After letting my battery run down twice and having to pull the cowl to jump start, I mounted a 1/4x20 receptacle on a insulated mount just under the cowl surface and drilled a 1/4" hole through the cowl. The receptacle is located on the right side with only a 12" run of cable to the positive terminal. I carry a 1/4" brass bolt and when I need to jump start I screw it into the receptacle and clip the + lead to the bolt. The - lead clips to the exhaust pipe.

BTW, I never again ran the battery down after installing this system. :roll: