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New Partnership w/EarthX batteries

I was reading the whole thing on STC and 337 and listening the other night to Mike Bush who seems to know what he is talking about and from what he explains it is not a major alteration! The design is still a 12 volt DC system and you do not need to alter the charging design so it does not require a STC or a 337. Now he also speaks that does not stop an AP for saying you do but according to the FAR regulations I don't see you need anything. It like deciding to use synthetic oil versus non synthetic oil.
 
Carl,

I have Gill battery and external battery charger, which connects directly into the battery poles. I actually have wires making the connection to the big external plug, but for the sake of argument, I have the charger connected to the Gill battery when the airplane is at the hangar.

If I replace the battery itself, with your lithium battery, can I use my existing charger? Is it pretty much plug and play? I know those lithium batteries are awesome, but I've heard they need some babysitting to work properly.

Are there any continuing airworthiness issues (if any)?

Thanks

Marcos.
 
A standard charger will work in a pinch to get you started, and theoretically should be fine for extended periods because the battery itself has an internal management system. But, 1) I wouldn't recomend using a standard charger long term. The lithium charger,/maintainers have a management system that charges all the cells equally to ensure longer life. 2) you don't need it anyway. You could leave the plane sitting for 6 months and it will turn over the same as if you had just started it yesterday.

Instead of using the big Frankenstein plug you can just get one of the little jumper plugs and run it out into your baggage compartment.

I guess looking at it every now and then to make sure it's still back there. ;) It's a certified part so comes with the usual FAA approved instructions for continued airwothiness.
 
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carllee said:
A standard charger will work in a pinch to get you started, and theoretically should be fine for extended periods because the battery itself has an internal management system. But, 1) I wouldn't recomend using a standard charger long term. The lithium charger,/maintainers have a management system that charges all the cells equally to ensure longer life. 2) you don't need it anyway. You could leave the plane sitting for 6 months and it will turn over the same as if you had just started it yesterday.

Instead of using the big Frankenstein plug you can just get one of the little jumper plugs and run it out into your baggage compartment.

I guess looking at it every now and then to make sure it's still back there. ;) It's a certified part so comes with the usual FAA approved instructions for continued airwothiness.
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Carl,
Call me dumb, but how is the maintainer going to manage the cells charging equally? You only have 2 terminals? I know there is a 1 lead for indication, but from what I see online if a charger/maintainer can handle each cell, it has multiple connections. No I do understand the battery management system may handle it, I am just questioning the maintainer being able to handle it. I also don't know much about this so I just put that out there too. :)
 
Gang,

You can check out my article in the next Aviation Consumer on Lithium batteries, including EarthX.
 
mcgrathm said:
Carl,
Call me dumb, but how is the maintainer going to manage the cells charging equally? You only have 2 terminals? I know there is a 1 lead for indication, but from what I see online if a charger/maintainer can handle each cell, it has multiple connections. No I do understand the battery management system may handle it, I am just questioning the maintainer being able to handle it. I also don't know much about this so I just put that out there too. :)
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That was the first thing I thought! I have no idea how it works, or if it even does. I'm just parroting what I was told. Could be just bs.

The lithium chargers are cool though. About 10 percent the size and weight of the old school stuff.
 
Speculating here. But I bet the battery is internally regulated with a Battery management system. Meaning the poles can provide the raw charge power in, but the cells are individually charged by internal IC regulator circuit to exact voltage/current needed for optimal performance and safety.

That means, and I know some of the old folks here will call me crazy, but you could technically in the future upgrade your battery's firmware to improve/correct issues with the charging algorithm and even implement new features to help diagnose and solve issues.

The world used to be simple

Just my 2 cents.
 
mrcshbs said:
Speculating here. But I bet the battery is internally regulated with a Battery management system. Meaning the poles can provide the raw charge power in, but the cells are individually charged by internal IC regulator circuit to exact voltage/current needed for optimal performance and safety.

That means, and I know some of the old folks here will call me crazy, but you could technically in the future upgrade your battery's firmware to improve/correct issues with the charging algorithm and even implement new features to help diagnose and solve issues.

The world used to be simple

Just my 2 cents.
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"Grandpa can you tell me the story about how you used to carry a 33 pound battery around in the back of your airplane again?"
 
I still do. But I am upgrading soon. I am undecided between the gap seals or the battery. I might have to put that 112 MT prop on layaway LOL
 
mrcshbs said:
I still do. But I am upgrading soon. I am undecided between the gap seals or the battery. I might have to put that 112 MT prop on layaway LOL
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I have the gap seals on mine as well as the extra door panel for the main gear. I also have the flush clear cover over my landing light to improve aero. Works pretty good for me. They have always been on there so I am not sure what the differences you would feel. I get off the ground pretty good and feel like my cruise speed is pretty good compared to others I have read. John Wright (114) and I flew in loose formation to Sun-in-Fun a couple years ago. I didn't tell him but I had to keep my throttle back so I would not catch him. LOL Just kidding.
 
Extra door panel for landing gear? Can you share a picture?

Where did you get the cover the landing gear light?

I appreciate the info.
 
mrcshbs said:
Extra door panel for landing gear? Can you share a picture?

Where did you get the cover the landing gear light?

I appreciate the info.
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Here is the best picture I could find. It shows what I think is called the pork chop panel? It also shows the side view of the cover over the light. There is a cooling port for the alternator there, but it is now in the right side of the engine cooling inlet. There are nut plates on the back side of the lower cowling so you can screw the cover over the landing light. It does not look after market. Looks factory install.

cover_panel.jpg
 
Thank you Judi. That's great pic.

I am assuming when you retract the gear, it will make it more flush I would think. Is there a good or descent improvement in cruise speed?

Pardon my ignorance.
 
the guys can of attest, when the wheels go up and the doors close it creates a flush close thus 3 or 4 knots better cruise. If you do a search for pork chop gear doors or inner gear doors there's a previous thread discussion.
 
mcgrathm said:
Here is the best picture I could find. It shows what I think is called the pork chop panel? It also shows the side view of the cover over the light. There is a cooling port for the alternator there, but it is now in the right side of the engine cooling inlet. There are nut plates on the back side of the lower cowling so you can screw the cover over the landing light. It does not look after market. Looks factory install.

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I have never seen a lens cover like that before for the light in the bottom cowl....Carl, did you do some new lens engineering?????
 
sscott said:
I have never seen a lens cover like that before for the light in the bottom cowl....Carl, did you do some new lens engineering?????
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One of the great Commander owners from days-gone-by developed a kit for that and sought FAA approval for it. The FAA never granted approval, of course, but there are several prototype kits floating around out there, and many others have made their own - aka Home Depot plexiglass.
 
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carllee said:
One of the great Commander owners from days-gone-by developed a kit for that and sought FAA approval for it. The FAA never granted approval, of course, but there are several prototype kits floating around out there, and many others that have made their own - aka Home Depot plexiglass.
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Wow, really? Didn't know that. If anything, I'd love to have something like this to make it easier to clean the bugs!!!
 
carllee said:

I'm proud to announce a new partnership between RCM Normalizing, and EarthX batteries. EarthX has approved the first Lithium Battery for the certified aircraft market. This represents the potential for nearly a 30lb increase in useful load - a huge step forward for 112 owners! Visit the RCM website for more details about the battery, and the accessories that go with it.

https://rcmnormalizing.com/batteries
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6 month pirep: Better than Concorde.
 
Hey just to let anyone know the light cover on N1431J was produced by the owner of my plane. I have all of the info plans drawings ext that he used for approval. I have a Boom Beam light in mine. Actually thinking of actually building a new cowling and not have a front light and go for the 390
 
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