Batteries

[170C]

Before I get chastised for not having done a search (I did so, but want a current opinion), I had my Gill sealed battery fail me a couple of weeks ago for an unknown reason. We had both boarded the plane, had seat belts & shoulder harnesses in place (isn't it always the case ) and not enough power to start the engine. Jumped it and on 3 other engine starts that day it worked just fine. I had not been running any electrical drain prior to this incident. Today, after it sat for 2 weeks, I engaged the starter in the hangar and it seemed to turn over the engine sufficiently that it would have started had I wanted it to do so. Assuming I may be in the market in the near future for a new battery (this one is almost 3 yrs old) what are the options other than Gil & Concorde? Can we easily/legally install Odyssey batteries? If so are they a viable option?

[Jr.CubBuilder]

Have you gone over all of your connections? If it now holds a charge for two weeks you may have an intermittent problem with something else like the voltage regulator or the output side of the generator or alternator that the battery has successfully been masking.

[bagarre]

I put a Concorde RG25-XC in last year and it spins the motor like a top, even in 15 degree weather.
I've never had a problem starting it since.


It's about $50 more than the Gill 25 but I wouldn't go with any other battery.

[N2255D]

I had a similar problem that turned out to be the firewall ground From the battery.

[GAHorn]

Frank, even with healthy electrical systems, most aircraft which are not regularly active will not see battery life beyond 3 years. It's about the extent of battery "current" design for large storage batteries.

I plan to replace storage/starting batteries in all my equipment about every 3 years if they have lasted that long.

[blueldr]

Shortly after I bought my first C-170B back in about 1990, the battery crapped out. I cringed at the price of a new size 25 aircraft battery, and replaced it with a garden tractor battery from Pep Boys Auto Supply that sold for about $20. It was a perfect fit in the firewall battery box. I kept the old Gill 25 to put on the charger during the annual inspection it the event the IA asked where the battery was. Each annual I just put in a new $20 garden tractor battery. Never did have any sort of battery problems.
I used to occasionally fly co-pilot on a Twin Beech 18 for a friend, wnen he needed one, and he's the one got me on "inexpensive" batteries.
After all, I do live on a relatively modest retirement, and flying can be costly if you let it.

[ghostflyer]

I have been using a odyssey battery in my 170A [180 hp] for some time and I am very happy with its performance. Its a little lighter also.Nothing to leak or spill. What turned me around was I found most of the Robbo helicopters here use them. They are legal in my country but check your friendly FAA for legality in the USA.

[W.J.Langholz]

I think when I grow up .....I want to be just like bluelder....

keep them coming Dick, keeps George's blood pumping


W.

[mrpibb]

last year I put a gill sealed battery in the 170, turned out that if it sat for more than 3 weeks I would be hand proppin. one week fine, two weeks fine, but never could get past 3 weeks before it would barely get the engine to move thru 1 compression. about that time my 172 that i lease to a flight school needed a battery so I ordered a new gill non sealed put in my 170 and put the sealed gill in the 172. well the 170 was ok but the 172 would not crank if the airplane sat for more than a week...soooo I ordered a concord xc put that in the 170 and put the gill non sealed in the 172 and the sealed gill on the preheat cart which stays on the charger, normality at last. Now I called gill because i have heard of other people having the same issue with the sealed battery, I was told that the battery has to be charged properly initially, like a constant current charger or modify a constant voltage charger that will put out more voltage. To much work for me I told them, I'll just buy a concord, plop it in and fire it up, im more than the plug and play type. Oh and by the way went to go use the preheat cart the other day and the battery was dead, someone forgot to plug in the battery charger

[hilltop170]

If any of you guys want to end your battery problems on your C-170, go to the trouble of getting one of the ODYSSEY Drycell small aircraft batteries field approved on your plane. Either the PC625, http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc625.htm, or the FAA approved, http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/sbsj16.htm, will eliminate your slow cranking and short battery life problems (unless, of course your electrical system has problems).

I have had the PC625 battery field approved on the firewall of my C-180 with a 300hp O-520 since 1995. The second battery is still going strong.

I have had the SBS J-16 field approved on the firewall of my 300hp C-195 for 5 years and the original battery is still going strong.

If these batteries will crank 300hp engines, they will spin a C-170 engine no matter what size it is.

Another note, my planes regularly sit for periods of 3-6 months between starts and I have not once had to charge the battery or jump start the plane at the end of that time.

[170C]

Thanks Richard! Most interesting. I wonder if the PC 625 can be installed in the same way (paper work wise) as the SBS J-16? I noticed the specs for the two aren't given in the same format. Probably because the 625 isn't intended for aircraft usage. If the 625 fits in the same battery box as a Gil or Concorde 25 that would be good. Don't know how much hassel the FW FAA office would be. I will have to ck with some of the local IA's.


FS

[blakelewis]

The odyssey SBS J-16 fits in the battery box just fine. 1" of extruded blue foam on each of the large sides makes it fit snug. The width and height are very close to the Gill. I am not legal yet. I would like to see example paperwork from any that has the field approval.
Blake

[canav8]

F. Atlee Dodge has a Battery box STC that affords the ability to use the Odyssey battery. Weight savings over all is 13 lbs. For you legal paper chasers do not forget to adjust your weight and balance and equipment list. D

[170C]

As I did on this forum, I have been asking vrs pilots, mechanics, etc. what their opinion is on batteries. As might be anticipated, its like asking which vehicle is the best for the money --Ford, Chevy, etc. With the exception of responses on this forum, I don't get many positive feedbacks on Odyssey's. Some have said that without an Odyssey (?) charger I shouldn't expect any longer service life, based on my flying habits, than from Gill or Concorde. So far I haven't gotten any IA to be positive about gettng field approvals, but I haven't quesioned that many. One individual, who has frequent contacts with pilots/mechanics regarding starters/alternators, reported that Concorde's have much fewer reported problems than Gills.

[hilltop170]

.........Some have said that without an Odyssey (?) charger I shouldn't expect any longer service life, based on my flying habits, than from Gill or Concorde............

Good point Frank, I don't know if that statement is true or not, I have never had charger on any of my Odyssey batteries. My voltage regulators are set at 13.7v if I remember correctly.