Twin Commander

General Category => Electrical => Topic started by: donv on June 21, 2017, 01:25:52 am

Title: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on June 21, 2017, 01:25:52 am
In the thread about buying new Gill batteries, I mentioned that I had just put in a battery tender, which is supposed to increase the life (hat tip to Adam, who gave me the idea). I also put in two new batteries at that time, about 18 months ago.

Before that, I was replacing them about every 18 months - 2 years.

So, 18 months in, at the 150 hour the batteries passed with 100%. Usually at this point they tell me they barely passed or just failed and I end up replacing them, either now or in 6 months. So to have them at 100% is really impressive.

So I think the battery tender is working out well.
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: SKYFLYER on June 21, 2017, 07:15:25 am
Good info Don... I have been using one since they became digital about 8 or 10 years back and have had far fewer battery issues as well. But I also use cart (APU) starts as much as possible, so I was not really sure which was helping more. Before the digital units it was mechanical and a hassle every 18 to 24 hours adjusting it. Not sure which one you have, but some of the more complex digital tenders have a "refresh" cycle and that clears the plates of the calcium I think it is.
For me it has been money well spent.
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: Jfelipe.rojasr on June 21, 2017, 09:44:22 am
Hi!!!!

What is the price of a battery tender? Does it need an STC or custom kit? Is it just plug and play???

Kind regards
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: Badger on June 21, 2017, 10:08:00 am
Don,
That sounds great!
Would you mind, once again, sharing which tender you purchased? 

thanks,

Ed
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on June 21, 2017, 10:32:15 am
Mine is a "Battery Minder." It's aircraft-grade. I believe it was installed as a "minor alteration" but I'd have to check.

I'm including some photos-- it just has a plug in the baggage compartment.

Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: SKYFLYER on June 21, 2017, 10:33:52 am
This is the unit that I have used for a few years.

https://www.batterystuff.com/battery-chargers/aircraft/battery-minder-aviation-power-supply-charger-maintainer-desulfator-28252-aa.html

It really is important that you use one that is designed specifically for aviation batteries. This is a good info article to review.

http://www.batteryminders.com/why-an-aviation-specific-charger-maintainer/
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on June 21, 2017, 10:34:36 am
Incidentally, I almost never do GPU starts. I don't recall if I've ever done one with this airplane. Maybe once, at most.

At home, it's not practical as I don't have a GPU, or anyone to pull the plug if I did. On the road, I guess I could do them sometimes, but it just doesn't seem necessary. If it was really cold or something I might consider it, but that's about it.
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: Badger on June 22, 2017, 11:01:59 am
Thanks!

ed
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on June 20, 2018, 06:18:24 pm
Another year in, and the batteries yet again passed with flying colors. I think I've more than paid for my battery tender setup by now.
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: SKYFLYER on June 20, 2018, 06:42:59 pm
Me too Don.. I have not had a battery issue in over three years now.  The digital tenders are worth every penny
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: ghancock on June 26, 2018, 08:13:19 am
Speaking of batteries, at the last flyin the guys that fly all the freight in Commanders said they use a totally different battery now that is lighter and lasts forever with very little maintenance.  Does anyone know anything about what they're using?

Glenn
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: Adam Frisch on June 26, 2018, 08:50:41 pm
Speaking of batteries, at the last flyin the guys that fly all the freight in Commanders said they use a totally different battery now that is lighter and lasts forever with very little maintenance.  Does anyone know anything about what they're using?

Glenn

Concorde?
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: Badger on June 27, 2018, 11:26:11 am
Yes.  They installed mine a couple of years ago and I have had zero problems with it.  Two 12-volt batteries hooked together.  If I remember correctly, they told me the reasoning is replacement at an out location would be much easier than finding a 24-volt.  I haven't had to deal with that yet, though.
Ed
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: ghancock on June 29, 2018, 10:23:24 am
Did you have to get STC or anything to replace the 24 volt battery?  I'm not thinking it was concord that they were talking about.  I need to get in touch with them and get more specifics.  They kept raving about them at the flyin though.

Glenn
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on September 08, 2019, 10:36:41 pm
I'm at four years now on the same batteries. I expect I'll probably have to replace them at the next annual, but still, huge improvement!
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: schrambow on August 20, 2021, 10:16:18 pm
just purchase two new batteries today,  total price is $5200 for the batteries and the sauce to put in them. The price of these batteries really shot up in the past few years!   Trying to find a copilot now who can hand prop the 840?
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on August 21, 2021, 01:19:18 pm
Did you get a battery tender? Mine lasted for 5 years, and would have gone longer, most likely.
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: schrambow on August 21, 2021, 01:53:41 pm
yes, i bought one at AirVenture this year.   But, not sure the best way to hookup the two batteries with the Tender, I don't think this Tender is setup for this type of setup.
Title: Re: Battery Tender
Post by: donv on August 21, 2021, 03:31:02 pm
There is a picture of my setup on the previous page.