Can I use car battery charger for the Mooney?

[par]

http://www.batterymart.com/p-cm6a-schauer-automatic-charger-desulfator.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=CM6A&utm_campaign=PLA&gclid=CIrWqPCU7MMCFQwKaQodhwYAhg

 

Schauer Battery Master Charger.  $45.00 

 

Has settings for AGM (absorbative glass mat) batteries, is microprocessor controlled and has a "rejuvenating" selection for desulfinating batteries.  I've been using one to keep my Concorde up to snuff when I'm down for annual.  The rejuvenating cycle actually brought a friends Concorde back to life - after it had been sitting for over a year.   Also..you CAN use it on your car!

 

Just ordered one. $220 for a lead acid battery charger is just absurd this day in age no matter how advanced they claim it to be. 

[Bob_Belville]

From an engineering point of view I would not use a car charger to maintain my aircraft battery.  The car charger charges at approx 13.8v and the aircraft charger runs c 14.1.  That 0.3v difference is quite a bit in the long run.  Now if your battery is dead or real low and you want to give it a charge to get out of Dodge, then sure use the car charger to give it a shot of juice but not for a long term maintenance.. Use the aircraft model Battery MInder if you must. I don't use any maintaintenance at all.  I have a Concorde.

Bill

I have a charger sold for Marine. I only use it only when the battery won't start the plane. The alternator seems to keep the battery charged if I fly fairly regularly. 

[N601RX]

Out of curiosity, what charging voltage does everyone see?

Concorde says for my temperature I should be charging at 14.1 - 14.3, but everything seems happier at 13.8-14.0.

I have mine set at 14.2- 14.3. The last one was 7 years old when I removed it and it still cranked the plane. I've been using it around the house for the last 3 years and it still holds a good charge.

The Concord RG's have a very low self discharge rate. As long as the alternator is fully charging it and it's not sitting for several months at a time there is no reason to keep it on a mantainer.

[kevinw]

Data point:

Installed a Concorde RG-35AXC in August 2009. Going on 6 years now.

Have it on a Batteryminder plug 'n run model 12248-AA-S5 around the clock and year round ever since when airplane is in the hangar.

It holds voltage like brand new. I may have seen it under 13 volts only a handful of times. This is the exception and usually when I have a drain on it. A radio or something. I've never seen it under 12.2 volts or so that I can remember. It's been 13.2 or better as a rule. Cranks the engine in 2 blades of less.

Edit: the 12248-AA-S5 was developed jointly by Cocorde and VDC specifically for Concirde AGM RG batteries.

http://www.concordebattery.com/accessories.php?id=62

Do you recall if a new W&B had to be completed? I'd like to install the same battery with only a logbook entry.

[Andy95W]

Do you recall if a new W&B had to be completed? I'd like to install the same battery with only a logbook entry.

New W&B extremely easy, hand-written is okay to be legal. Talk to your mechanic, give him a case of beer (12 pack if he has expensive taste) and call it done.

[PTK]

Do you recall if a new W&B had to be completed? I'd like to install the same battery with only a logbook entry.

Kevin, I don't recall any mention of W&B. He recomnended it and installed it. I'll check the logs though and see what he did.

[cliffy]

To just change the battery only a log book entry is needed. Can be done by PP/Owner If weight change is greater than 1 pound a new W&B needs to be done by an A&P.

[Lowbid]

After reviewing many battery maintenance threads, I have decided to use the Schauer Battery Master Charger.  It's hard to believe an additional $200 is necessary for the Minder.

My battery went bad after five years, and my shop replaced it with another Gill wet type.  I wish I had researched batteries before they replaced it.  I would have purchased a Concorde.