CamTom12 wrote:I think that’s a grey area, since your Pacer is a CAR3 airplane.

I’ve had my EarthX in the cabin since 2015. No issues, and saved a lot of weight over the odyssey it replaced.

I could probably taxi on the starter.

Don’t look for logic when it comes to items that your local fed will call “major”. CAR 3? Not sure some of those guys can spell it.....

But don’t ask here, ask your friendly fed.

Once upon a time, our maintenance outfit installed a Ni Cad battery in my work Super Cub. It came with a long list of instructions and a “battery temperature gauge” in the left wing root. I asked a couple questions, like why do I need this? And what’s the temp gauge for?

“In case it overheats” you’ll know to land ASAP.” Really?

So, off for home on AK Peninsula. Two or three hours later, I sneak a peek at that temp gauge, and sure enough, the needle is right on the red mark.....dang!

So I watch it for a while, and now it’s really in the red. So I land on the beach and hop out, waiting for my plane to blow up.

I got out my winter gloves and some tools and, open up the battery compartment, unhook and remove the battery (which was hotter than hell) threw the thing on the beach, propped the engine and flew home.
Called the shop next day and asked for a new battery. They asked what I’d done with that really expensive NiCad.

They sent me a new lead acid battery. I’ve always been a bit skeptical of “new technology” batteries since.

And, ELT batteries aren’t charged by the plane. Charging is where problems MAY arise in these new batteries,
MTV

I called Earth X this morning and spoke with Katherine - one of the owners and their lead engineer (I believe his name is Reggie). They are apparently very close getting the STC approval - the first for C172s with other types to follow soon thereafter. She seems to think it will happen really soon - likely sometime in the early part of next year. The approval is not for a firewall battery. They are applying for this STC as well but their engineer felt this would take a lot longer and more complicated engineering. I have heard there is no way our FSDO at KHIO sign off on the firewall Earth X. So maybe the best plan is to install the J16 Odyssey and wait.

Josh

mtv wrote:So, it appears you’re reluctant for reasons you’ve noted, to move the battery. But, you’d like an extended baggage.

Why not leave the battery where it is, roughly, replace the existing battery with an Odyssey battery, AND install an extended baggage?

Seems to me that any mechanic worth his salt could figure a way to get that done. When I installed extended baggage in a 170, we put the ELT UNDER the baggage floor, with an access door. The Odyssey battery, laid on its side (it’s sealed) is no thicker than an ELT.

So, why not stop worrying about fwd CG and innovate?

MTV

MTV,

I did just that, love it and haven’t looked back!


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Apollo wrote:

mtv wrote:So, it appears you’re reluctant for reasons you’ve noted, to move the battery. But, you’d like an extended baggage.

Why not leave the battery where it is, roughly, replace the existing battery with an Odyssey battery, AND install an extended baggage?

Seems to me that any mechanic worth his salt could figure a way to get that done. When I installed extended baggage in a 170, we put the ELT UNDER the baggage floor, with an access door. The Odyssey battery, laid on its side (it’s sealed) is no thicker than an ELT.

So, why not stop worrying about fwd CG and innovate?

MTV

MTV,

I did just that, love it and haven’t looked back!


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There ya go! One of the really nice things about these newer battery designs: They are compact, and can be mounted in most any position.

MTV

I am thinking about installing the smaller battery under the front seat in the Scout. Has anyone had any issues with this location? Extended baggage is going in the rear.

Goodyear wrote:I am thinking about installing the smaller battery under the front seat in the Scout. Has anyone had any issues with this location? Extended baggage is going in the rear.

I dont know if any approvals/stcs to put the battery under the front seat on a Scout. They are already tail heavy and I would put the battery on the firewall. Especially with the extended baggage and baggage door.

Goodyear wrote:I am thinking about installing the smaller battery under the front seat in the Scout. Has anyone had any issues with this location? Extended baggage is going in the rear.

Northland Aviation in Fairbanks, AK used to own an STC to install the Odyssey battery in a bracket up front between or above the rudder pedals, against the inside of the firewall. Jon McIntyre should be able to help you with that, he's got a lot of Scout experience.

I've never seen one mounted under the seat in a Scout, but maybe a field approval.

MTV

ACA mounts the battery to the firewall with the factory extended baggage.

The following SL approves the SBSJ16 to be installed in the 7GCAA, 7GCBC, 7KCAB and 8KCAB. If one should seek more concrete approval for the 8GCBC, this SL should make it easy.

Then I use AC43.13 to mount it wherever.

Thanks, I have some space problems on the engine side of the firewall because of oil filter. I may be able to get it to work but I do like the idea of keeping the battery inside.

ACA Factory does authorize relocation of battery to firewall in all 8gcbc’s.

Dog is my Copilot wrote:I have heard there is no way our FSDO at KHIO sign off on the firewall Earth X. So maybe the best plan is to install the J16 Odyssey and wait.

Josh

What's their issue with mounting the Earth X on the firewall? Seems that would be the SAFEST location for a battery to be, should it start to melt down.

I wouldn't want it anywhere else in the plane in that situation. Plus, it could get preheated on cold mornings from radiant heat from an engine preheater.

This has been my plan with my rebuild, and I'm surprised to read of the FSDO's reluctance to approve of mounting one on the firewall...

1:1 Scale wrote:

Dog is my Copilot wrote:I have heard there is no way our FSDO at KHIO sign off on the firewall Earth X. So maybe the best plan is to install the J16 Odyssey and wait.

Josh

What's their issue with mounting the Earth X on the firewall? Seems that would be the SAFEST location for a battery to be, should it start to melt down.

I wouldn't want it anywhere else in the plane in that situation. Plus, it could get preheated on cold mornings from radiant heat from an engine preheater.

This has been my plan with my rebuild, and I'm surprised to read of the FSDO's reluctance to approve of mounting one on the firewall...

It may be they object to the battery itself, not necessarily the mounting location. I suspect it'll take some time to get all this sorted out and get any kind of actual STCs or other approvals.

MTV

Removed the Oberg oil screen and replaced it with a screw on oil filter. Used the space on the firewall to mount the new battery.

Goodyear wrote:Removed the Oberg oil screen and replaced it with a screw on oil filter. Used the space on the firewall to mount the new battery.

Nice looking battery bracket- very clean looking.
I'm only aware of two that are STC'd (Dodge & Burl's),
that doesn't look like either one.
Did you make it up yourself? Field approval?

Crickets

No, that is American Champion’s. They built the bracket. I will have to look at the paperwork but I believe that ACA modified the Type Certificate to allow the battery in either location. But not positive. Since I am installing the “Extended Baggage” kit it is mandatory (according to ACA) to move the battery to the firewall.
I had wanted to place it inside under the seat but I have the adjustable seat and it won’t fit and there is no STC for that location anyway.

My scout has a huge ext baggage field approved. For that, they also field approved a odyssey battery laying on its side under the ext baggage with an access hatch. Later, another shop got a field approval to move the battery to the firewall and use a burl’s battery box for a sedan. Not sure why they didn’t go with the ACA one considering it was done in 2011, but I’m happy. Now I’m moving the ELT to the location under baggage that the battery once was in since there’s mounting and a hatch.

hotrod180 wrote:

Goodyear wrote:Removed the Oberg oil screen and replaced it with a screw on oil filter. Used the space on the firewall to mount the new battery.

Nice looking battery bracket- very clean looking.
I'm only aware of two that are STC'd (Dodge & Burl's),
that doesn't look like either one.
Did you make it up yourself? Field approval?

Not everyone flies a C180 ya know

-0-

dogpilot wrote:My only experience is putting one for camping power in my old antichrist of a Vanagon Westphalia Syncro. It did the battery thing nicely, which was run the microwave.

It's funny you mentioned your Westy, because as I was reading your offer for your old 24V battery, the voice in my head was saying "I wonder how well that would work for a house battery in my Westy..." What are the dimensions on the 24V? I imagine it would fit under the back seat? Feel free to PM me so we don't turn this thread in to The Samba