Charger and battery

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astaib
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Charger and battery

Post by astaib »

Hello all,

Hope you are doing well.

Just want to have your feedbacks and advices on chargers.

During my recent “electrical” issues I have inspected the level of acid in my battery and a friend of mine told me that some elements has a bit of lead sulfatation.

The batterie is not old (3 years) but the first year it wasn’t check at the 50h visit and at the next annuel, some elements were dry. The mechanic add acid and the battery is working very well since (it was also working well before).

My friend recommended me to invest in a 24v charger that has a fonction to remove the lead sulfatation in the battery.
He recommended me the Ctek MXT4.0.

What do you think? Are you using this kind of charger?
Good benefit? Or gadget?

Thank you !

Arnaud.
Arnaud
DA40 Star 180 / 40.026 / 2001
Wingtip, landing and taxing LED (Whelen)
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Boatguy
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by Boatguy »

I use this charger. Which is similar to the Ctek, but less expensive. It's actually a German company acquired or sold by an American company so you may find it in Europe. I connect it to the plane whenever I'm doing any maintenance in the hangar and it keeps the battery topped up which does help prevent sulfation. But these are both just chargers, they won't reverse the sulfation.

My suggestion is to switch to a sealed battery, either AGM or Gel-cell, rather than a wet battery. Sealed batteries are what the Diamond factory ships and have been adopted by most vehicles. They are maintenance free and don't dry out which is the root cause of your problem. I lived on a boat for five years and everything was powered from a bank of Gel cells (radios, radar, water maker, microwave, etc.) and they were routinely drawn down to 40% of capacity, then recharged, with no issues. That is a much deeper discharge than our airplanes normally experience.

But connecting a charger whenever you are in the hangar, especially if there are significant periods where the plane is not flying, is also a good idea. Whatever charger you use has to be set properly for wet cells or sealed.
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Thomas
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by Thomas »

for the last 12 years I use the charger from BatteryMinder. I am on my 2nd battery. Its always on when the plane sits in the Hangar. Have the same brand for my car I use only on holidays and it works perfect there as well (solar powered 12V) .

https://www.batteryminders.com/batterym ... esulfator/

it seems that the newer 2016 Model has even more features like battery condition monitoring
Thomas Bienz DA40-180 40.337 D-ENMA (sold 08/2022)
Home Airport LSZC Buochs Switzerland
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astaib
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by astaib »

Thank you!

Are you removing the cowling and disconnecting the battery every time your plane is in the hangar ?
Arnaud
DA40 Star 180 / 40.026 / 2001
Wingtip, landing and taxing LED (Whelen)
Skitube
GNS430 NON-WAAS
Steam gauges
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Thomas
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by Thomas »

There is a kit available for an external connector.

https://www.batteryminders.com/batterym ... -aircraft/

but when I bought mine in 2009 there was a connector for the power and the temp sensor included and I connect it via the oil refill panel. I think this is still possible except for the temp sensor. But with the engine off the temp in and out of the cowling is anyway the same.
I will be at the airport this afternoon and make a picture of my installation.

souhaite de joyeuses Pâques Thomas
Thomas Bienz DA40-180 40.337 D-ENMA (sold 08/2022)
Home Airport LSZC Buochs Switzerland
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astaib
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by astaib »

Thank you Thomas. Joyeuses Pâques à toi aussi. Merci!
Arnaud
DA40 Star 180 / 40.026 / 2001
Wingtip, landing and taxing LED (Whelen)
Skitube
GNS430 NON-WAAS
Steam gauges
Non certified ADS-b
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Thomas
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by Thomas »

Thats the one I am using - had never a complain (EASA aircraft). If you go the BatteryMinder way keep caution you order a 230V model.

https://www.batteryminders.com/batterym ... -aircraft/
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Home Airport LSZC Buochs Switzerland
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reinhardj
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by reinhardj »

I am also using a Ctek charger since several years. My mechanics has installed one of their extension cables permanently, the small connector for charging has been placed at the ground power connector.
Don't forget to place a fuse in the cable to the battery and protect the cable with some spiral wrap.
Reinhard
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G1000, GDU 12.03, WAAS, GTX 345, SVT, Safetaxi, PilotPak
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astaib
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by astaib »

reinhardj wrote: Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:34 pm I am also using a Ctek charger since several years. My mechanics has installed one of their extension cables permanently, the small connector for charging has been placed at the ground power connector.
Don't forget to place a fuse in the cable to the battery and protect the cable with some spiral wrap.
Are you using this model? (MXT 4.0).
If you have pictures of what your mechanics has installed, I’m very interested.

Thanks.
Arnaud
DA40 Star 180 / 40.026 / 2001
Wingtip, landing and taxing LED (Whelen)
Skitube
GNS430 NON-WAAS
Steam gauges
Non certified ADS-b
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Re: Charger and battery

Post by reinhardj »

As I have a DA40D with 12V battery, we are using a 12V charger type MXS 5.0 for the plane, which works perfect. I am using the MXT4.0 for my Towmaxx tug, no problems.
Presently I have no photo at hand.
Reinhard
DA40D, S/N D4.338
G1000, GDU 12.03, WAAS, GTX 345, SVT, Safetaxi, PilotPak
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