EarthX battery
Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2019 10:47 amThe article about lithium batteries in most recent newsletter reminded me it was time to do something with mine.
Not quite 3 years ago I purchased an EarthX ETX 900 to use in my Sonex with CAMit 3300. It worked great, really kicked over the engine, and unlike the Odyssey PC680 that it replaced, starting the engine did not pull down voltage enough to cuase the GRT Sport SX EFIS to reboot if it was on at the time. However, next Spring, battery starting a slow blink of its warning light after about 15 minutes into each flight. Charge voltage was good, and tried leaving it on its recommended Optimate charger over a couple of days to let it re-balance its cells but no joy. Contacted EarthX and the quickly replaced it. All good again. -- Until the next Spring, then same problem re-appeared. EarthX again replaced it even though just a couple of weeks short of expiration of its two year warranty . (EarthX reported cell imbalance as problem both times.)
I got very busy with other things, and never got around to installing that replacement and have been flying with the old Odyssey PC680, and now do not think i will re-install the EarthX. Reason is that Jabiru and early CAMit engines have had failures of flywheel connection to crankshaft and starting forces are suspected as possible cause. (Later CAMit engines have an extra bolt in that connection that may or may not help alleviate that problem.) The initial charge rate when engine revved for takeoff is also high for the problems know with those Jabiru flywheel alternators. The fact that this pilot has since lost about 30 pounds also reduces the need for the lighter weight battery, but that is a loss on wrong side of the W-and -B calculation and have added small lead weight to tail.
So here is the deal: Buy my Optimate Lithium LFP4s5a, 12.8 volt, 10 step, charger for full price (listed on Amazon for $117.) and pay UPS - GROUND ONLY freight charges and get a free nine month old, brand new, never used, EarthX ETX900 (the largest that fits in box made for a PC680) battery, (listed for sale at $450 from several sources) but with no remaining warranty of any kind, absolutely FREE.
Anyone interested PM me.
David A.
Not quite 3 years ago I purchased an EarthX ETX 900 to use in my Sonex with CAMit 3300. It worked great, really kicked over the engine, and unlike the Odyssey PC680 that it replaced, starting the engine did not pull down voltage enough to cuase the GRT Sport SX EFIS to reboot if it was on at the time. However, next Spring, battery starting a slow blink of its warning light after about 15 minutes into each flight. Charge voltage was good, and tried leaving it on its recommended Optimate charger over a couple of days to let it re-balance its cells but no joy. Contacted EarthX and the quickly replaced it. All good again. -- Until the next Spring, then same problem re-appeared. EarthX again replaced it even though just a couple of weeks short of expiration of its two year warranty . (EarthX reported cell imbalance as problem both times.)
I got very busy with other things, and never got around to installing that replacement and have been flying with the old Odyssey PC680, and now do not think i will re-install the EarthX. Reason is that Jabiru and early CAMit engines have had failures of flywheel connection to crankshaft and starting forces are suspected as possible cause. (Later CAMit engines have an extra bolt in that connection that may or may not help alleviate that problem.) The initial charge rate when engine revved for takeoff is also high for the problems know with those Jabiru flywheel alternators. The fact that this pilot has since lost about 30 pounds also reduces the need for the lighter weight battery, but that is a loss on wrong side of the W-and -B calculation and have added small lead weight to tail.
So here is the deal: Buy my Optimate Lithium LFP4s5a, 12.8 volt, 10 step, charger for full price (listed on Amazon for $117.) and pay UPS - GROUND ONLY freight charges and get a free nine month old, brand new, never used, EarthX ETX900 (the largest that fits in box made for a PC680) battery, (listed for sale at $450 from several sources) but with no remaining warranty of any kind, absolutely FREE.
Anyone interested PM me.
David A.