Weak Battery - Cold Start

[Ron Snedecor]

Hey Cliff,

Thanks for the info including about the aircraft jacks.

Years ago I used to manage an FBO flight school with about 15 leaseback airplanes. We were trying to find ways to save the leaseback owners some expenses and had learned that a battery manufacturer made both aircraft and marine batteries that were identical. We talked to their company engineers and learned that the only difference between the two were the labels and their FAA paperwork. The marine type was less than half of what the FAA approved type cost. We made verbal agreements with the plane owners that they could choose to put in the marine battery if they did it themselves and if anybody asked neither one of us or our mechanics knew where they came from. We did this for over 10 years without anybody asking including the Feds that would occasionally inspect us.

Going to put in a call to the Odyssey engineers in the next couple of days.

Ron Snedecor

[Horst31]

My current Gill 35s is at 12.9 V when I disconnect from the charger. About 5 minutes after I shut the engine off my red voltage light comes on and the voltmeter shows 11.9 V. It stays at that level and even slightly increases and than very slowly drops. After 1 hour it is still at 11.6 or above. So I tested it by switching every available consumer on, stroblights etc and left the master in power mode. It took over 2 hours to drop below 10.5 V. I than started the engine with the starter, I was still flying, and it started, a little slower than normal, but it started. This tells me that it is still ok if the voltage drops that low.

[mwestphal]

Was wondering if anyone has tried the Odyssey batteries in their Ximango. My battery will need to be replace for next season.
I emailed the guys at Aircraft Spruce and they said I could use the Odyssey SBS J-16. They said that I could install in a certified aircraft (in Canada) with a field STD.

Thanks - Mark
200-054

[chuck]

Four batteries are currently approved for the Ximango:

Gill G-35 (27 lb at -0.24 ft)
Gill G-35S (29 lb at -0.24 ft)
Gill G-25 (21 lb at -0.24 ft)
PowerSonic PS-12180 (13 lb at -0.16ft)

The battery box is sized for the Gill 35/35S, which are the largest of these. To change to a different battery from that which was delivered with the aircraft, spacer blocks MUST be used to prevent the battery from moving up/down or sideways in the battery box. The factory blocks are of hard rubber or, on early Ximangos, wood. We can obtain blocks from the factory for you if required.

Chuck
Ximango USA

[chuck]

The citation to use for the approved batteries is:

Flight Handbook AFM - 200-24 - FAA
Table 6.4
Page 6.6
July 17, 2007 - Rev. 13

Chuck
Ximango USA