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Actually, I started out with two 25 AH concord RG batteries weight 22 lbs a
piece for a total of 44 lbs of battery. I could have flown home on the
starter {:>). I soon moved to two 17 AH Odyssey batteries at 14 lbs each
and after 5 years and the only use for the spare battery was a bit better
cranking on a cold morning, I am now down to one 17AH Odyssey weight 14 lbs.
So down from 44 lbs of battery to 14 lbs. I have a alternator warning light
dead center in front of me on the upper part of the instrument panel. The
only time it shows is after some heavy cranking on a cold morning for a few
seconds until the battery has recharged after engine start.
I also have a volt meter which is part of my instrument scan.
I agree with Bernie, lower 48 especially the Midwest/eastern part of the
country I think one battery is fine - now out west or Alaska then I would
probably carry two batteries. Two alternators just not to my liking.
FWIW
Ed
----- Original Message -----
From: "Charlie England" <ceengland@bellsouth.net>
To: "Rotary motors in aircraft" <flyrotary@lancaironline.net>
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 8:26 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: 2nd battery Re: Amps required to run engine & amp-
hours available
jbker@juno.com wrote:
>Now THAT'S encouraging ... but I think I'll tote a spare anyway ..
>what's 12#? ... Jim S.
>---------------------------------
>
>Jim, I'm torn between 2nd battery. Tracy had one for a while, but no
longer and don't believe ED had one. Flying over the lower 48 without a 2nd
battery once I'm past 40 hours does not bother me, but think I will have the
option to run the 2nd one anytime I'm over water flights (a long time from
now!) or doing another flight to Alaska.
>
>Bernie
>
>
For those that don't follow the Matronics Aeroelectic list, the
moderator now recommends 2 alternators and only one battery, replaced at
each annual inspection. His logic is that modern batteries like the
Hawker, etc. are so reliable that you aren't any more likely to lose a
battery *in flight* than a wing while alternators aren't quite that
good. If the 2nd alt. is big enough to carry essential loads, it can be
lighter than even the 12 lb battery & your endurance isn't battery
limited.
A lot tougher to install, though.
Charlie
>> Homepage: http://www.flyrotary.com/
>> Archive: http://lancaironline.net/lists/flyrotary/List.html
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