Aerovoltz/Ballistic LiFePO4 Battery

Over the last 18 mo. since first flight, I've made a number of modifications and enhancements to my STOL CH750 such as an autopilot which has resulted in the usual weight creep that results when we can't leave things alone! ;>)

I'm currently using an Odyssey PC680 (~15 lbs) mounted on the firewall with my Jabiru 3300. This is a great battery and I have absolutely no problems with it! However, the Aerovoltz 12-cell LiFePo4 battery (2.5 lbs!!!) is looking awfully tempting because of the instant 12.5 lb weight loss! Just that one modification would probably wipe-out all the weight gain of my mods! 

Just wondered if anyone has had any relatively long-term use of the battery and would appreciate their insights. I'm in a mild climate, my plane is hangared and the cowl is heated in winter, so I don't think there would be in cold-weather starting problems.

For optimal battery life, I understand balance-charging is recommended every few months and Aerovoltz sells the appropriate charger. I have a very nice balance charger already and wondered if it would be compatible. Anyone got a pic of their Aerovoltz battery showing the balance port?

Thanks,

John

N750A

Views: 2469

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Bob McDonald on December 13, 2013 at 2:03pm

John

I thought I was doing good... Citabria went from G35 @27 lbs to a PC680 @12.5 lbs :>)

I would wait a while and let someone else do the R&D for Aerovoltz on their nickel.

Permalink Reply by Harmen van der Velden on December 13, 2013 at 4:13pm

Installed the aerovoltz  12 cell this spring in my 701 w/rotax 912s , So far no problems , but have not gone through a New England winter yet

Harmen

Permalink Reply by Bob Pustell on December 13, 2013 at 7:51pm

Another Lithium-Iron battery option is Shorai batteries. BatteryMart.com markets them. They are the same chemistry as the AeroVoltz units but are manufactured to replicate the cases and cranking powers of the more common motorcycle/ATV batteries. You have a wider range of power levels to pick from and an easy mounting job -- battery boxes are made to fit these for the motorcycle/ATV folks already. They also market a Shaorai specific balance charger. http://www.batterymart.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?screen=searchspri...

Permalink Reply by François Balaux on December 13, 2013 at 10:53pm

Hi

I have been using one on my motorcycle for two years and one in my 701 with a Rotax 912 ULS for 1,5 year. I had no problem so far. I attached a picture of the connector.

Regards,

Francois

Attachments:
Permalink Reply by John Austin on December 14, 2013 at 8:23am

Thanks for the pic, Francois! Is that the twelve cell battery? 

John

Permalink Reply by Joe Harrington on December 14, 2013 at 12:16am

John,

We have been using a 12 cell LiPeFo4 on our 0-200 powered 601XLB for about 2 years now without any problems. It has been performing much better than the lead acid motorcycle battery that it replaced. We had some problems with the mags so it had to operate through multiple miss-starts without any problems. If it is cold, one simply puts some load (draw) on it and then it starts to release its power. In other words, if it is cold when you first hit the key, it will turn over a little slow and then it soon picks up speed. As far as any thermal runaway problems, it is something we are wary of but we have not heard of any problems with this type of battery. We would really like to hear if any one has documented proof of this happening.

Good luck,

Joe

Permalink Reply by Peter Autenried on December 14, 2013 at 7:00am

Look also the discussion here:

http://www.zenith.aero/group/stolch750/forum/topics/which-battery-s...

Not sure what you have for a balance charger but I would get the one from aerovoltz.

Permalink Reply by John Austin on December 14, 2013 at 9:05am

Not sure what you have for a balance charger but I would get the one from aerovoltz.

Why do you say that? I already have an iCharger 160B+ which is virtually identical to the Aerovoltz charger (the iCharger is just a little more expensive and has more features, etc.) and just like the Aerovoltz charger, has a specific balance charging mode for LiFePO4 cells 1-8 series. (I've done a little research and the 12 cell Aerovoltz is a 4 series.) All I need is the 5 pin cable between the charger and the battery! 

John

 

Permalink Reply by John Austin on December 14, 2013 at 9:10am

FWIW, I've done a little more research and apparently, the Ballistic EVO2 is absolutely identical to the Aerovoltz EVO2 LiFePO4 battery. Since Ballistic caters to the motorcycle crowd and their battery doesn't have "Aero" on it, it can be found for $30-$40 cheaper than the Aerovoltz. To utilize my iCharger 160B+, I found the 5-pin/4S male/female connector cable on Ebay for less than $4 delivered. Balance charging is recommended every few months for optimal battery performance and life.

John

Permalink Reply by Walt Snyder on December 14, 2013 at 1:20pm

John, 

I did some research on this for an article, and also for my personal use, and what I found was enlightening, and unexpected in some ways. There can be a vast difference in some of these products, some are merely "relabeled" that I would not use in an aircraft, some are just "ok", and some are really nice products, though like always, you get what you pay for. If you dig through it all on the internet, you will find some pretty strong opinions, and some pretty telling factual information. 

I'm not promoting one or the other, we all have different needs and reasons, all valid, but you might want to look at the Full Spectrum Pulse 3. There were many reasons I went with them, but 1) they have been around a long time, and more importantly, 2), when you consider the stake a race car driver, motorcycle racer, etc would have in his vehicle, and the environment in which a product must perform, it speaks volumes on the durability and reliability of the product. That was important to me. And, made in the USA. (I would also buy a Canadian product, Joe)

Full Spectrum Power really doesn't advertise their product for aviation, though Aircraft Spruce does sell it. I would suggest you email Jason at Full Spectrum Power, as he is very informed on the market and can answer any questions. fullspectrumpower.com also has a blog that answers some questions about lithium batteries and what to be aware of. 

I have an Odyssey battery temporarily hooked up, but I will mount a Pulse3 on my exterior firewall in a battery box, and have a temp sensor hooked up to my MGL Odyssey panel. I will also have a manual disconnect for the battery inside on the interior firewall, for safety, and the option of disconnecting the battery jn remote areas to make sure I'm not hiking out due to a dead battery.

There's a lot of information out there on different products and the manufacturers, and bottom line, there's a product out there to help increase usable load by 10+ lbs, or impact a CG issue, or increase performance. Like always, it may come to at what cost.

Walt Snyder

Award winning, Podium proven, Lightweight Lithium Batteries, Made in the USA.

Since 2008, Full Spectrum Power equipped racers have won more races and championships than all other lightweight battery companies combined. Why should you rely on Full Spectrum batteries? Click here to see why Full Spectrum lightweight batteries are the world’s... When performance is what really matters, Full Spectrum batteries deliver. Championship winning race teams turn to us for superior performance and total reliability. Pulse: The worlds best lightweight battery.

 

Full Spectrum Lightweight Batteries Win Races and Championships

The Best Lightweight Battery | Full Spectrum Pulse
Lightweight Battery Finder
Who Sells Full Spectrum Lightweight Batteries?

Permalink Reply by John Benton on December 15, 2013 at 7:42am

Walt: If you have a master solenoid, won't that serve as an emergency disconnect? Am I not understanding something here?

John Benton

Permalink Reply by Walt Snyder on December 15, 2013 at 5:00pm

John, I have a master switch, and a starter solenoid. I want something that disconnects all wiring, including starter, ignition, etc, from the inside that I can easily use, though rarely. Summit Racing has a good, lightweight switch that I'll use. 

Walt

RSS

New from Zenith:

Zenith Planes For Sale 
  

Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...

Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:

Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.

Zenith Homecoming Tee:

Zenair Floats

Flying On Your Own Wings:
 A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz

Builder & Pilot Supplies:

Aircraft Insurance:

 
 

West Coast USA:

 
Pro Builder Assistance:

 

Transition training:

Lavion Aero

K&S Aviation Services

Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!

How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com

Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.

© 2024   Created by Zenith.Aero.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service