Mooney_Allegro Posted July 16, 2014 Report Posted July 16, 2014 Well, I guess my experience is the other side of the issue. My 6 & a half year old Concorde turned up bad this week and the only available battery on short notice was a non sealed Gill. We'll see how long it lasts! Bob, I'm curious, do you keep a battery charger hooked up to your battery when your plane is sitting in the hangar? I use the Battery Minder, model 28252-AA for aviation use & recommended by Concorde. The battery charger I bought years ago from Sporties was not recommended for the Concorde battery, and I don't know if it shortened it's life or not for the last battery I had.
Bob_Belville Posted July 16, 2014 Report Posted July 16, 2014 I have not used a battery minder on this airplane. I'm a little surprised that it has never been a problem starting as old as it was.
Alhall Posted July 16, 2014 Report Posted July 16, 2014 Removed my concord last year after 9 years. Installed it in my snapper lawnmower, works great. 2
flyboy0681 Posted July 16, 2014 Report Posted July 16, 2014 We've had to replace 2 Gill's in the past 3 year and installed a Concord in February. Judging by the feedback here, and my own experience, Gill's are a piece of crapola. Like 601RX said, how do they manage to stay in business.
DrBill Posted July 19, 2014 Report Posted July 19, 2014 I had to use my 8 year old Concorde to start my Ranger Pickup yesterday !!. Took it off the generator and used jumpers to start my truck.. Put it on a batteryminder when I was done and it was fully charged this morning. Bill 1
Wakeup Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 I'm buying a battery this week. Where is the best/cheapest place to buy from ?? Thanks. Troy
carusoam Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 I used Spruce... They make it easy to ship to my house... Best regards, -a-
Alhall Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 Yes spruce has free shipping if you don't purchase any other items with the battery.
Guitarmaster Posted July 31, 2014 Report Posted July 31, 2014 Mine is a Gill. Was installed January of this year before I bought the plane. The avionics shop just called and told me the battery is failing. WOW! I am going with the Concorde…. or something from Autozone at this rate.
carusoam Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 Gil's usually go 2 + years... There is something quirky about only going 7 months. May want to keep you eyes open for something being amiss. Check the battery for it's manufacture date to see that it wasn't just new to you... If it is new, something in there may be killing batteries. Something to think about... Best regards, -a- 1
Bob_Belville Posted August 1, 2014 Report Posted August 1, 2014 I had to buy a Gill in an emergency a few weeks ago because my 6-1/2 year old Concorde failed me in flight, causing the charging system to go off line. The only consolation the seller could give me was that Gill replaces their failed batteries w/o a hassle. Gives you a warm and fuzzy, doesn't it?
M20F Posted August 3, 2014 Report Posted August 3, 2014 I have and prefer a Concorde for the reasons stated above.
Andy95W Posted August 3, 2014 Report Posted August 3, 2014 Concorde batteries and Tempest sparkplugs for me. Makes you wonder how Gill and Champion stay afloat.
Awful_Charlie Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Well, my left hand/#2 Gill just gave up, but as it is nearly 10 years old, I don't think it owes me anything. I've got another one that is a mere 5 years on sitting on a betteryminder, so I'll swap it over at the weekend. Maybe Gill have introduced a production problem in later years, but for the 15 years I've been an owner, I've never had a problem with them (I guess Murphy's law will kick it off now!)
fantom Posted August 5, 2014 Report Posted August 5, 2014 Maybe Gill have introduced a production problem in later years, but for the 15 years I've been an owner, I've never had a problem with them (I guess Murphy's law will kick it off now!) Hope not. Recent production shortcuts may be a large part of the problem. I switched to Concorde about 10 years ago and they do have a longer life, but Gills lasted 5 years each, without issue. Same with Champion plugs. I bought two dozen in 1999 on a SunNFun CB special. Knock wood NEVER an issue. No fouling, test fine, hold their shape and gap. The last 4 of them were just installed...just because. Recent reports from a famous MSC and from Champion tech reps are that whatever the issues were, they are no more. We'll see!
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