REFLECTOR: Odyssey Battery

[Laurence Coen]

Chuck,

I use the Optima D34 (deep discharge version) like Pat.  I also did a 
battery rundown test to check the real world expectation as opposed to the 
theoretical.  During simulated night flight, two hours is all I got if I 
didn't shed load.  When the buss voltage hits 10V, your radios stop working. 
In IFR this is not good.  The battery isn't really "dead" but you are a no 
radio flight.  The unfortunate truth about alternator failure is that it's 
noticed when the radios go dead. Too late!  The other thing that often 
happens is that the alternator partially fails and the battery slowly 
discharges with each flight.  This means when the alternator finally gives 
up the ghost your battery is already dead.  What I'm trying to say is keep 
the volt and ammeter in your scan and understand what they're telling you. 
If you suspect a problem, shed load as much and as fast as you can. 
whatever is gone isn't coming back.

Larry Coen
N136LC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Chuck Jensen" <cjensen at dts9000.com>
To: "Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list" <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 09, 2007 1:23 AM
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Odyssey Battery


> Keith,
>
> I concur with the two different missions for the battery, though I
> understand the PC 680, in good condition, should be adequate for both
> missions; namely cranking an IO 540 as well as provide escape time from
> IFR electrical failure.  The IFR escape capacity of the battery holds
> importance to me.  The PC 680, in good condition, seems to have the 17
> AH seems adequate to "get home" if the electrons stop birthing and
> several parties report the 680 CA is amply to spin the IO 540, so I'm
> going to give it a go.
>
> My current FLA battery is getting to the point that even after a good
> charging flight, the next day it just barely makes the start, though it
> always has.  Of course, when I install the PC 680, if I still have the
> same problem, then I'll know to look elsewhere.  I believe this process
> is known as being a "parts replacer" rather than a mechanic.  Of course,
> being a parts replacer makes me qualified to work in most any automotive
> shop these days!
>
> And Pat, looking at your 38# monster battery, I'm thinking if your
> alternator goes out, that you'll just have to remember to fix it after
> two or three days of flying.  It's got enough juice to get you home,
> back again and home again.
>
> Chuck Jensen
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of Keith Hallsten
> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 9:52 PM
> To: 'Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list'
> Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Odyssey Battery
>
>
> Chuck,
>
> Sure - even a very small sealed lead-acid battery will crank the
> engine... However, if you file IFR or fly at night and don't have a
> back-up alternator you should consider establishing a minimum capacity
> for the battery that will be sufficient to get you to your intended
> destination without breaking a sweat.  That's an entirely different
> question and will depend on your enroute electrical loads for, say,
> night flight.  If you stick to day VFR, this is not a significant
> consideration unless you have an electrically dependant engine (EFI,
> electrical fuel pump only).
>
> Keith
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On
> Behalf Of Chuck Jensen
> Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 4:16 PM
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> Subject: REFLECTOR: Odessey Battery
>
> Is the Odessey PC 680 battery sufficient to crank the IO-540?
>
> Chuck Jensen
>
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>
> _______________________________________________
> To change your email address, visit 
> http://www.tvbf.org/mailman/listinfo/reflector
>
> Visit the gallery!  www.tvbf.org/gallery
> user:pw = tvbf:jamaicangoose
> Check new archives: www.tvbf.org/pipermail
> Check old archives: http://www.tvbf.org/archives/velocity/maillist.html
>