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New Partnership w/EarthX batteries

N1049j said:
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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Would you mind sharing that information on this light cover?
 
Carl, I’d like to read that pirep... shorter takeoff distance, increased rate of climb? Pretty women oohing and aahing over such a great looking airplane?
Oh, and it’s spins the prop like a turbine engine? Now that sounds like good reading material. I can’t wait.
 
Does EarthX come in both 12v and 24v?:o
 
the 24V is waiting....and waiting on FFA approval
 
EarthX Lithium btty

I am going to need a new battery pretty soon to replace my aging Gill-35 in my 112a. I can’t get over the addition of 22 pounds useful load should I change to one of the Earth-X lithium batteries for which RCM Normalizing handles. So I haven’t heard much. Has someone got some experience with this and can you give a pirep?
Jaybird said:
I am going to need a new battery pretty soon to replace my aging Gill-35 in my 112a. I can’t get over the addition of 22 pounds useful load should I change to one of the Earth-X lithium batteries for which RCM Normalizing handles. So I haven’t heard much. Has someone got some experience with this and can you give a pirep?
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Been flying with it for nearly a year and a half - no issues. Can supply you with an example 337. 22lb increase in useful over Gill, 27lb increase in useful over Concorde. Can't think of any reason a 112 owner would fly with anything else:-)

https://rcmnormalizing.com/batteries
carllee said:
Been flying with it for nearly a year and a half - no issues. Can supply you with an example 337. 22lb increase in useful over Gill, 27lb increase in useful over Concorde. Can't think of any reason a 112 owner would fly with anything else:-)

https://rcmnormalizing.com/batteries
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Carl

Any issues with real cold mornings? Coming out of SOW it is not uncommon to see single digit temperatures.
I have friends with Lithium batteries installed in Experimental aircraft and the cold has been a concern for them.
The coldest start was in the 30's. My Concorde was 6 years old when I replaced it, and I don't have anything more scientific than simple observation to present to you, but to me, it spins the prop better than the Concorde did. The technology is so different that a head to head comparison isn't really possible anyway. I've also never had it on any kind of charger, or maintainer.
Soon as I get less busy I will talk to my A&P and see if he is still on for the paperwork. It does make sense and all batteries seem to have problems with cold temp starts (<20 deg F) so that's no factor.

Carl, all I know is Charlie in Albekirkee that has one of these and he's down for a new panel with little experience. These things should be blowing out the door. I would need the battery, the inserts to fill the battery box, and a tender.
Jaybird said:
Carl, all I know is Charlie in Albekirkee that has one of these and he's down for a new panel with little experience. These things should be blowing out the door. I would need the battery, the inserts to fill the battery box, and a tender.
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Jay - go for it! You will undoubtedly get that UL bump - and bragging rights to boot! Hardest part of the install was bending the Bogert cable to fit.
 
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Ok found the post to keep going on talking about these Earth-X lithium iron phosphate new technology batteries. So the 20+ pound useful load increase is what drives my interest for my 112a flyer (sorry, you114 flyers don’t have this option as it’s not available in 28v yet). Battery specs claim a 6 year life!

So, besides Carl and Charlie of Albequeque has anyone else been flying with these? As for that fault light, has it ever indicated since you had it? I am checking with my A&P as the route is a 337 through my FSDO for certification, pretty sure.
 
There are actually quite a few of them out there flying now, but most Commander owners don't post, so you just don't hear about them. Batteries are kinda a funny thing, believe it or not, people get very attached to their batteries, and become very possessive of them - like an old pair of sneakers - I guess? There's also the "wear-out factor" - nobody want to replace a perfectly good battery that they just spent $375 for - they're gonna wait till it wears out!
 
Carl ... probably a naive question regarding "wear out". When would you deem a battery to be worn out (other than your mechanic telling you)?
 
plight said:
Carl ... probably a naive question regarding "wear out". When would you deem a battery to be worn out (other than your mechanic telling you)?
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I guess you'll know for sure when you're stuck at some remote airport with no services for 50 miles in every direction and your plane won't start :-):-)!

Fortunately they usually start "talking" to you before something like that happens.

If your mechanic is on the ball, he'll go back through your log books and probably recommend changing at around the 5 year mark.
 
Carl, don't we get the COG 10% discount on RCM stuff? I don't see it.
 
Jaybird said:
sorry, you114 flyers don't have this option as it's not available in 28v yet
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The Rockwell 114s are 14v, just like your Rockwell 112A. The Commander Aircraft 114B/115 are 28v. The issue -- as has been discussed in the past -- is that the 114s are all nose heavy. We tend to add weight aft to bring the CG in range, not remove weight aft.
 
Jaybird said:
Carl, don't we get the COG 10% discount on RCM stuff? I don't see it.
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I can't on the EarthX stuff. They have a very strict pricing policy. They're planning to raise the price by a couple hundred at some point (they wont say when), so in that sense it's still a great deal!
 
FS said:
The Rockwell 114s are 14v, just like your Rockwell 112A. The Commander Aircraft 114B/115 are 28v. The issue -- as has been discussed in the past -- is that the 114s are all nose heavy. We tend to add weight aft to bring the CG in range, not remove weight aft.
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True! And, the 114's already have a respectable useful load, so weight savings isn't as much of an issue.

Still might be a consideration if you fly a lot with baggage, often carry a 3rd passenger, or have lightened up the nose, ie MT prop, Plane Power alternator, Skytec starter, eliminated vacuum system, etc.
 
Gang,

My understanding is that EarthX is working on a 28v battery.
 
Carl, what’s the lead time on a battery, box foam, and tender? You shipping or is it like some autopilots I had to give up on?
 
Jaybird said:
Carl, what’s the lead time on a battery, box foam, and tender? You shipping or is it like some autopilots I had to give up on?
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Hi Jay,

I can have it all in your hands by the end of next week:-)
 
My A&P is dragging on a field approval.. it’s a real p.I.t.a. Earth x says STCs coming soon. My old Gill still not done cranking especially in warmer weather as Spring arrives in South. I wonder if the timing will be right.
 
Jaybird said:
My A&P is dragging on a field approval.. it’s a real p.I.t.a. Earth x says STCs coming soon. My old Gill still not done cranking especially in warmer weather as Spring arrives in South. I wonder if the timing will be right.
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Dunno, but there's no STC for the Gill either, so maybe can sign off the EarthX the same way. Go back through the logs and see how they did it:eek::-)
 
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