Battery replacement on M20e question

[MATTS875]

Well , I went out today to fly and have a dead battery.I talked to the fbo about replacement and they tols me it would be $150 just for the labor to replace the battery.I ordered a new concorde battery from Aircraftspruce and need to know how is the best way to get to the battery for replacement. I am going to do it myself.I think it is behind the panel of the cargo department??So my question is do I just remove the back of the cargo area and the battery is behind it, or is there an easiers way to access the battery.thanks for any input.Normally I would let the shop do the work but when they told me that it would be almost 500.00 for battery and labor, i said no.

[kerry]

If your battery is in the back then you would open the large inspection panel on the side of the airplane.  18 screws I think.  Pull 2 pins on the lid of the battery box. 

[MATTS875]

Kerry, the panel you are talking about, is it on the outside where you would plug in for a jump start? I noticed a large panel there.

[kerry]

Yes,  The panel is about 24 inches square and is just aft of your left wing.

[MATTS875]

thanks.. It will be replaced tomorrow

[MooneyMitch]

Hi Matt.

Just some additional thoughts for you with the battery replacement.  Once you have the battery removed, look close inside the battery box for any signs of corrosion.  If you do seen anything, go to work removing and cleaning the box throughly.  This is a great place for corrosion to hide and ruin your box.

Have fun doing some of your own maint.  It's a great way to get to know your airplane inside and out. 

 

[MATTS875]

Thanks Mitch, I just bought the airplane and looking at the books the battery was replaced in 2000. so it did its job.

[danb35]

If you don't already have the maintenance manual for your plane, you really should get it (and if you PM me your email address, I can get you a PDF of it).  Also, keep in mind that you'll need to log the battery replacement in your airframe log book.

[MATTS875]

Well last night I went out to the airport and replaced the battery. I guess the FBO was trying to get me. I was able to get it done in about 10 minutes.Thanks for all the help and information..

[jetdriven]

You just saved yourself ten hours of gas, oil, and reserves.  Great job.  Same thing with an oil change, that isnt hard to do either.

[HRM]

Quote: Mitch

Hi Matt.

Just some additional thoughts for you with the battery replacement.  Once you have the battery removed, look close inside the battery box for any signs of corrosion.  If you do seen anything, go to work removing and cleaning the box throughly.  This is a great place for corrosion to hide and ruin your box.

[stevesm20b]

Has anyone tried using a sealed battery to prevent the battery box corrosion problem?

[MooneyMitch]

Yep, this is just a maint. item that one needs to pay lots of attention to.  Keeping that battery box clean from acid build up and corrosion is most important.   In my opinion, one should check the battery and inside the box at least every couple of months or so.  It's really very easy to do.

With that said, we just installed a Concorde sealed unit in Jolie's E model.  I will still keep on eye on this, just in case.

Have Mooney will travel.

[KSMooniac]

Quote: stevesm20b

Has anyone tried using a sealed battery to prevent the battery box corrosion problem?

[jetdriven]

Jim, if that is the case I would spriung for the extra capacity.  One, you get the extra capacity.  two, the C.G. moving slightly aft is bound to help your cruise speed enough to offset the two pounds. 

 

Does it fit?

[Immelman]

I went with the regular concorde RG-35 a few years ago now. The battery has performed flawlessly, now with about 4 yrs/400 tach hours of use.

I would rather not give up the useful load (and do the W&B revision) so I stayed with the regular RG-35 instead of the extra capacity. My airplane is, if anything, a bit tail-heavy as I have electric trim, autopilot servos, and HSI gyro back there behind the battery.

[MATTS875]

Jim, I bought the concorde RG-35AXC for mine and it works great. Also I wanted the extra cranking power.

[Vref]

Quote: JimR

Thanks, guys.  I looked up the two different sealed Concorde options after my original post.  There is a 50 amp capacity and a 2.5 pound weight difference between the two.  I don't want to have to update the weight and balance if it can be avoided, so I think that I will weigh my old Gill 35 and let it's weight guide my decision.  Hopefully at least one of the two will be within a pound of the Gill.  I'll go with the extra capacity battery if possible within those constraints.

Jim   

[danb35]

For BatteryMINDER connections, I use the jump start hatch--easy to get to, close to the battery.  It does mean I need to remove a screw to get to the terminals, but that isn't that big of a deal.

[jetdriven]

We just bought a Concorde RG35AXC battery but it does not have the studs made into it like the Gill G-35.  It is tapped for a bolt.  Can I buy studs to put in the battery, or use bolts?   Who else has done this?

[Ned Gravel]

Byron:

Mine came with the bolts as well.  Clarence installed it.  I don't think I ever saw any other connection method on my previous Gill battery though.

[jetdriven]

Old G-35 has wingnuts that go on the studs.  The new Concorde has M8 bolts.  So just use the supplied bolts?

[Ned Gravel]

Quote: jetdriven

Old G-35 has wingnuts that go on the studs.  The new Concorde has M8 bolts.  So just use the supplied bolts?

[Vref]

Quote: jetdriven

We just bought a Concorde RG35AXC battery but it does not have the studs made into it like the Gill G-35.  It is tapped for a bolt.  Can I buy studs to put in the battery, or use bolts?   Who else has done this?

[rbridges]

my Gill battery has a bad cell.  Looks like it was installed 3/08.  I just ordered a Concorde RG-35A from Chief Aircraft.  Should be in by Monday.  Twice as much for a battery half the size of a car battery.  Gotta love maintaining airplanes.