Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Sat, 06 Sep 2003 00:58:17 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-2569483@logan.com>
Reply-To: "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@earthlink.net>
From: "Dan Schaefer" <dfs155@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: Battery Inquiry
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Bill Harrelson wrote:

"I have two B&C sealed 12 AH batteries in my 320. They are made by Hawker
Energy and are terrific batteries."

If these batteries truly are made by Hawker Energy, then you're in good
hands! In a past life, I worked on (as my last project before retirement)
replacing the two primary batteries (NiCad and a maintenance nightmare for
the AF) on the B-1B with Hawker products. In doing so, we also got rid of
the very finicky NiCad chargers and replaced them with very simple lead acid
chargers which, incidentally, cost less than 1/10th the NiCad units! (The
batteries cost about that much less, too)!

I've had the occasion to meet with the principal Hawker engineers and tour
their plant in Wales a number of times. Hawker was the only Recombinant Gas,
Sealed Lead-Acid Battery (RGSLAB) manufacturer that could meet the
requirements for the B-1B, including service life, warrantee, cost, etc. At
the time of this project, Hawker was actively pursuing a state-side
manufacturing capability so this may be the source of the B&C units.

Last summer, as a civilian, e.g., retired from the aerospace industry, I had
the occasion to visit Hawker's principal engineer at the Wales plant and
re-take the facility tour. I found it interesting that their technology has
advanced in just the last four years so their batteries are most likely even
better today than when I installed them in the B-1B!

I will be changing to a B&C unit when my present battery fails.

Dan Schaefer