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Author Topic: Battery Tender  (Read 11463 times)

donv

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Battery Tender
« 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.

SKYFLYER

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #1 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.

Jfelipe.rojasr

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #2 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

Badger

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #3 on: June 21, 2017, 10:08:00 am »
Don,
That sounds great!
Would you mind, once again, sharing which tender you purchased? 

thanks,

Ed
Ed

donv

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #4 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.


SKYFLYER

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #5 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/

donv

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #6 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.

Badger

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #7 on: June 22, 2017, 11:01:59 am »
Thanks!

ed
Ed

donv

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #8 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.

SKYFLYER

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #9 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

ghancock

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #10 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
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Adam Frisch

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #11 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?
Slumming it in the turboprop world - so you don't have to.

Badger

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #12 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
Ed

ghancock

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #13 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
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You can't win an argument with an ignorant person,  they'll just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

donv

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Re: Battery Tender
« Reply #14 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!