Quick question about batteryminder

[Shadrach]

2 hours ago, EricJ said:

Yes, the positive connector goes directly on the battery terminal with an in-line fuse nearby, and the negative can be grounded anywhere on the airframe.   I wanted to make mine accessible via the ground power electrical plug hatch, but there just wasn't room, so I ran it though the baggage bulkhead where there was an existing hole and grommet.   

We connected mine to the hot side of the the master solenoid. We grounded it to an avionics rack that crosses the fuselage just aft of the battery box. The only cables connected to the battery are the ships battery cables. My set up works perfectly.

[kortopates]

16 hours ago, Shadrach said:

We connected mine to the hot side of the the master solenoid. We grounded it to an avionics rack that crosses the fuselage just aft of the battery box. The only cables connected to the battery are the ships battery cables. My set up works perfectly.

I installed mine exactly the same. My master solenoid is mounted on the battery box 3 inches away from the positive terminal of the battery. If I am not mistaken, the ring connector on the cable was the correct size for the solenoid bolt as well, but not large enough for the battery post, so that actually made it an easier and cleaner install. 

[Shadrach]

4 hours ago, kortopates said:

I installed mine exactly the same. My master solenoid is mounted on the battery box 3 inches away from the positive terminal of the battery. If I am not mistaken, the ring connector on the cable was the correct size for the solenoid bolt as well, but not large enough for the battery post, so that actually made it an easier and cleaner install. 

Exactly my experience. The only difference being that I plug in though the opening for the retractable step.

[tmo]

On 9/10/2019 at 7:47 PM, kortopates said:

I installed mine exactly the same. My master solenoid is mounted on the battery box 3 inches away from the positive terminal of the battery. If I am not mistaken, the ring connector on the cable was the correct size for the solenoid bolt as well, but not large enough for the battery post, so that actually made it an easier and cleaner install. 

@kortopates and/or @Shadrach - does either one of you remember the size of the bolt on the solenoid?  I need to order me one of them cables and they come in M6 (1/4 inch) and M10 (3/8 inch) for the Noco Genius I have; FWIW the Concorde battery drawings show M8 for the terminal size.  Save me a drive to the airfield and removing the side cover, please...  I'm guessing it will be a M10, but looking for confirmation, if possible.

[kortopates]

2 hours ago, tmo said:

@kortopates and/or @Shadrach - does either one of you remember the size of the bolt on the solenoid?  I need to order me one of them cables and they come in M6 (1/4 inch) and M10 (3/8 inch) for the Noco Genius I have; FWIW the Concorde battery drawings show M8 for the terminal size.  Save me a drive to the airfield and removing the side cover, please...  I'm guessing it will be a M10, but looking for confirmation, if possible.

Sorry no, but good chance you might be able to find out looking in your Mooney IPC.

[larryb]

On 9/9/2019 at 4:25 PM, EricJ said:

Pics below.   The red wire goes to the battery positive terminal.   I used the old-timey-style glass fuse, and just grounded to the avionics shelf.   Looks like I need to get the shop-vac in there, too.  This airplane was parked outside in southern Nevada for twenty years and accumulated some dust.

 

Please don't take this comment the wrong way. This install would attract a lot less attention if you instruct your hanger elves to use aviation grade Tefzel wire and aviation grade wire splices. You want it to look like it belongs there, just like every other white wire. 

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/unshieldlwire.php?clickkey=3524

 

[EricJ]

41 minutes ago, larryb said:

Please don't take this comment the wrong way. This install would attract a lot less attention if you instruct your hanger elves to use aviation grade Tefzel wire and aviation grade wire splices. You want it to look like it belongs there, just like every other white wire. 

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/unshieldlwire.php?clickkey=3524

 

Edited for even less snark:

Tefzel isn't required.   Butt joint is legal and properly crimped.   I don't care what attention it gets.

Edited December 30, 2019 by EricJ

[steingar]

I must be really stupid or something.  I bought a battery tender from a motorcycle store for $25.  I hooked it up to my battery; it has a detachable cord where it hooks up to the power supply. It stays hooked up to the battery during the winter months, when I go to fly I just unhook it, secure the battery cover and fly.  I used the same thing in my previous aircraft who's better was I believe going on 6 when I sold it.  I've been using on the Mooney for at least 4 years, possibly longer.  

My battery minder isn't built for aviation, isn't expensive, isn't complicated.  I never had to ask anyone how to use it.  So far I've see no ill effects on the batteries themselves, which seem to last longer than conventional wisdom says they should.  Obviously I'm doing something horribly wrong.

[Bob_Belville]

I use the external plug. I have a wire pair with alligator clips that I touch momentarily to the battery of my electric tug and to the external plug leads. That provides the power needed to make the battery relay. Once the battery minder "sees" the battery it provides enough power to keep the relay made. I've never had it drop out even after weeks.   

[EricJ]

6 hours ago, larryb said:

Please don't take this comment the wrong way. This install would attract a lot less attention if you instruct your hanger elves to use aviation grade Tefzel wire and aviation grade wire splices. You want it to look like it belongs there, just like every other white wire. 

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/unshieldlwire.php?clickkey=3524

 

BTW, just for completeness, the kit I used is the one required by the City of Phoenix in order to have an approved tender connected to power unattended in a hangar at DVT.   This one:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/audioathaik.php

The city comes and inspects your installation, then gives you a document signed by the airport manager that you're supposed to put up in your hangar saying that you're good to keep the tender plugged in unattended.   So maybe take it up with the vendor and/or the City of Phoenix.

 

[bradp]

I’ll let you know what size Ring terminal is needed for the hot side of the master solenoid when I go to the airport tomorrow.  I literally just measured it but promptly forgot. 

[Shadrach]

12 hours ago, tmo said:

@kortopates and/or @Shadrach - does either one of you remember the size of the bolt on the solenoid?  I need to order me one of them cables and they come in M6 (1/4 inch) and M10 (3/8 inch) for the Noco Genius I have; FWIW the Concorde battery drawings show M8 for the terminal size.  Save me a drive to the airfield and removing the side cover, please...  I'm guessing it will be a M10, but looking for confirmation, if possible.

Sorry I don’t recall and I was unable to find it in then IPC. 

[tmo]

No worries - at least I'm not the only one doing it (the IPC lookup thing) wrong.  It sure looks like a M10 in the pictures, that's what I'd expect on a semi-decent tractor, so I'll go with that.  Or buy both and say that the smaller one is for the motorcycle... ;-)  Thank you!

[carusoam]

Battery minders for planes get upgraded Teflon(?) coated wires. Typical of avionics wiring and good for long term aviation stuff...

The same thing built for the automotive world gets a slightly lower quality version of PVC coated wires...

PP thoughts only, not a mechanic... stuff I discovered while buying the parts for mine...

Best regards,

-a-