Ovation battery switching

[MIm20c]

30 minutes ago, r0ckst4r said:

Does that fall under having  a load on the battery or is that more when the engine is on and the alternator is charging?

When testing batteries it’s best to put a load on them. This means checking the voltage while having a reasonable amperage load on like a landing light or two. As batteries age the reserve capacity drops slowly although if you have a bad cell it can drop dramatically. So IMO checking the voltage (pertaining to battery health) with the alternator off is important. 
 

Having said all that I just pick the battery that spins over the prop the fastest and use that for the flight. We put both on individual batteryminders after every flight. The required annual capacity check normally spots the bad apples. Also even with dual batteries and dual alternators if the main unit fails I’m landing ASAP, as in right NOW. 

[StevenL757]

1 hour ago, r0ckst4r said:

So it would seem that if you follow the POH segment I posted above but instead of keeping on the battery with the highest voltage as described just switch it once which will check both voltages and also switch to the battery not used last flight.

Yes.

1 hour ago, r0ckst4r said:

Does that fall under having  a load on the battery or is that more when the engine is on and the alternator is charging?

Technically both; however, you’re really just looking for good voltage when you do the preflight check.  If this test passes, you can feel confident that once the alternator comes online (assuming it’s working properly) and you introduce the remainder of your avionics, the battery won’t have problem holding load.  And......

32 minutes ago, GeeBee said:

Battery 1 east bound, battery 2 westbound.

What he said.   ;-)

[StevenL757]

30 minutes ago, MIm20c said:

The required annual capacity check normally spots the bad apples. Also even with dual batteries and dual alternators if the main unit fails I’m landing ASAP, as in right NOW

For @r0ckst4r, good advice here despite what I said above.

[Greg_D]

On 4/13/2020 at 6:36 PM, MIm20c said:

When testing batteries it’s best to put a load on them. This means checking the voltage while having a reasonable amperage load on like a landing light or two. As batteries age the reserve capacity drops slowly although if you have a bad cell it can drop dramatically. So IMO checking the voltage (pertaining to battery health) with the alternator off is important. 
 

Having said all that I just pick the battery that spins over the prop the fastest and use that for the flight. We put both on individual batteryminders after every flight. The required annual capacity check normally spots the bad apples. Also even with dual batteries and dual alternators if the main unit fails I’m landing ASAP, as in right NOW. 

How are you connecting both battery minders?  Specifically, how are you routing the cables?  And are the cables permanently installed?

[MIm20c]

4 hours ago, Greg_D said:

How are you connecting both battery minders?  Specifically, how are you routing the cables?  And are the cables permanently installed?

Both are hardwired with the proper fuses. The wire was sourced from aircraft spruce and the connectors from anderson power products. Both chargers are on a platform that includes a power switch and nightlight. The light is a visual confirmation and reminder to turn on the power after both units are connected. Otherwise the chargers will drain the batteries. 

[carusoam]

23 hours ago, Greg_D said:

How are you connecting both battery minders?  Specifically, how are you routing the cables?  And are the cables permanently installed?

in some cases...

One BatteryMinder can charge both batteries... simultaneously...

BatteryMinder sells a bunch of Things that go with the charger... a Y connector, and various plugs...

If you only have one Batteryminder.... 

Best regards,

-a-