Return-Path: Sender: (Marvin Kaye) To: lml@lancaironline.net Date: Thu, 04 Sep 2003 16:33:57 -0400 Message-ID: X-Original-Return-Path: Received: from smtp03.mrf.mail.rcn.net ([207.172.4.62] verified) by logan.com (CommuniGate Pro SMTP 4.1.3) with ESMTP id 2567821 for lml@lancaironline.net; Thu, 04 Sep 2003 16:20:55 -0400 Received: from 208-59-158-61.s61.tnt2.frdb.va.dialup.rcn.com ([208.59.158.61] helo=OFFICE) by smtp03.mrf.mail.rcn.net with smtp (Exim 3.35 #4) id 19v0b7-0003I0-00 for lml@lancaironline.net; Thu, 04 Sep 2003 16:20:54 -0400 X-Original-Message-ID: <006a01c37322$191e14f0$ae9e3bd0@OFFICE> From: "Bill & Sue" X-Original-To: "Lancair Mailing List" References: Subject: Re: [LML] Battery Inquiry X-Original-Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2003 16:21:17 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2600.0000 I have two B&C sealed 12 AH batteries in my 320. They are made by Hawker Energy and are terrific batteries. They are both mounted on the firewall, one on the engine side and one on the cockpit side. Neither is in a box. The batteries are normally connected in parallel by a DC bus tie relay. Both start the engine and both are charged by the alternator. In the event of an alternator failure, I can open the bus tie. With the bus tie open, the B battery powers only the essential bus (GPS/COM, fuel transfer pumps, and cockpit flood lights). This keeps the engine running, allows me to navigate, communicate and see the panel. It is sufficient to get me on the ground in night IFR. With only those few items on the essential bus, the B battery will outlast the fuel. All other electrical stuff is on the normal bus and would be powered by the A battery in the event of an alternator failure. The two 12 AH batteries weigh only very slightly more than a "normal" 25 AH battery and give you considerably more versatility and safety. By the way, either little 12 AH battery can easily start the engine by itself. This system has worked out well and if I were building again (perish the thought) I'd build it the same. It was certainly a system that we were glad to have on our recent trans Atlantic flight. Bill harrelson@erols.com N5ZQ LNC2 O-320 VA42 Fredericksburg, VA