Lithium Backup Battery Pack

[smoss]

My battery pack is coming up on 2 years since installation, and I was wondering, is there a +/- factor for this deadline, or once it hits 2 years is the plane no longer IFR legal? Most hours based things in the AMM have an allowable % over listed, but the battery seems to be specifically 2 years... not a day more, or no allowance that I can find in there anyways. My annual is not due until 2 months after the battery 2 year date, so I was hoping there was an allowable past due time...

[Rick]

Steve, my reading is the same as yours - doesn't look like anything over the 2 year limit is legal. You might be able to make an argument for the end of the 24th month, but that's just my opinion.

My annual is coming up next month, and I'm also due for the battery replacement, so I contacted Diamond to verify the part number and get a quote. My intention is to have the shop order the battery before the annunal to have it ready to go. Diamond quoted me $188 for the battery assembly (part number D60-2560-91-00) plus $145 shipping. I have pushed back on the need for HazMat shipping, given the info in this thread - I'll let you know what I hear...

[Rick]

I also note that the part number Diamond just gave me (D60-2560-91-00) does not match the part number I posted in this very thread several months ago (D41-2560-93-00), which is the part number of the pack I removed from my '04 DA40. However, the new part number DOES match the part that was installed at the 2010 annual, according to the logs. Does this mean the newer DA40's ('07 and later) have a different battery pack then the '04-'06 models?

[CFIDave]

I also note that the part number Diamond just gave me (D60-2560-91-00) does not match the part number I posted in this very thread several months ago (D41-2560-93-00), which is the part number of the pack I removed from my '04 DA40. However, the new part number DOES match the part that was installed at the 2010 annual, according to the logs. Does this mean the newer DA40's ('07 and later) have a different battery pack then the '04-'06 models?

Yes, the part numbers differ. I went through this earlier this year when I had to replace the battery pack for my 2008 XLS and ordered it from Diamond.

[smoss]

Interesting, what is the part difference? I've got 40.696, XL built late 2006,only 5 serial numbers earlier than Rick, G1000 with GFC700, and have the D41- pack (at least that is what was put in at the last 2 replacements by Diamond service centers). Are they interchangeable, do they look the same?

[CFIDave]

Interesting, what is the part difference? I've got 40.696, XL built late 2006,only 5 serial numbers earlier than Rick, G1000 with GFC700, and have the D41- pack (at least that is what was put in at the last 2 replacements by Diamond service centers). Are they interchangeable, do they look the same?

OK, there's the info I got from Diamond earlier this year when I had to order a new backup battery pack from them.

If your aircraft has a G1000 with the GFC-700 autopilot (e.g., 2007 DA40 XL or 2008+ DA40 XLS), then you need a 30 volt battery pack (which wasn't yet listed in Diamond's IPC back in February):
- Emergency Battery Pack Assy DG 2EXL1241
- P/N D60-2560-90-00

If your aircraft has a G1000 without the GFC-700 (e.g., 2004-2006 DA40-180), then you need a 36 volt battery pack:
- Lithium 36V 1300mAh Battery
- P/N D41-2560-93-00

Hope this helps.
- Dave

[Rick]

OK, there's the info I got from Diamond earlier this year when I had to order a new backup battery pack from them.

If your aircraft has a G1000 with the GFC-700 autopilot (e.g., 2007 DA40 XL or 2008+ DA40 XLS), then you need a 30 volt battery pack (which wasn't yet listed in Diamond's IPC back in February):
- Emergency Battery Pack Assy DG 2EXL1241
- P/N D60-2560-90-00

If your aircraft has a G1000 without the GFC-700 (e.g., 2004-2006 DA40-180), then you need a 36 volt battery pack:
- Lithium 36V 1300mAh Battery
- P/N D41-2560-93-00

I believe you, Dave. But I sure don't understand, unless maybe 40.701 just happens to be when they changed the type of battery pack? The emergency battery pack drives the backup AI and the light pad under the glare shield - nothing else. It should not have anything to do with the type of autopilot installed... ?

I guess I'll have one of the "new" ones in hand soon, so I'll report on the differences - since I still have my "old" one from my '04 DA40 to compare with...

[CFIDave]

I believe you, Dave. But I sure don't understand, unless maybe 40.701 just happens to be when they changed the type of battery pack? The emergency battery pack drives the backup AI and the light pad under the glare shield - nothing else. It should not have anything to do with the type of autopilot installed... ?

I guess I'll have one of the "new" ones in hand soon, so I'll report on the differences - since I still have my "old" one from my '04 DA40 to compare with...

I'm also baffled by why 30 vs. 36 volt batteries, but the Diamond parts guy changed my original D41 P/N order (which I had looked up) to a D60 P/N order specifically because our plane has the GFC-700. I discovered that the "old" removed battery battery pack had the D60 P/N, so he was correct.

Bizarre...

[smoss]

If that's the case, then I've had the wrong battery in my plane for 4 years or 6 years. I've got the GFC-700, but my battery pack that has been replaced by 2 different Diamond service centers is the 36 volt one! My plane was one of the first XL's, a 2007 model year, but actually built in 09/2006. As stated above, it makes no sense that autopilot would have anything to do with it, as the emergency battery pack only powers the flood light and backup attitude indicator. Perhaps it was just a coincidental change from 2006 to 2007, and really makes no difference. And to boot, the 36 volt pack actually puts out 44 volts (new one and old removed one).

[CFIDave]

My guess is that this was a production change that just happened to coincide with introduction of the GFC-700 integrated autopilot. Other changes to the instrument panel at that same time included elimination of the hidden turn coordinator (needed to drive the KAP-140 autopilot) located behind the MFD, and substitution of a blank panel at the bottom of the panel where the KAP-140 formerly was mounted.

To get confirmation of the correct battery battery pack for your aircraft, contact the Diamond parts department in London -- they're very helpful.