Ovation Battery

[GaryP1007]

Quick question- safe to fly if one battery indicating low but the other normal?

 

Low is 22+/-

 

 

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[Fly Boomer]

2 minutes ago, GaryP1007 said:

 

Quick question- safe to fly if one battery indicating low but the other normal?

 

Low is 22+/-

 

 

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That's not low -- that's dead.  I'd be afraid to fly.  If the alternator tries to bring that battery back up. it could cause a failure.

[Niko182]

Fwiw ive had to bring 2 dead batteeies back up in truckee when it was -5 f outside and it ended up being fine. I have a 150 amp alternator if that makes a difference. I just idled a low rpm for a while to keep the amps from going too high.

[LANCECASPER]

32 minutes ago, GaryP1007 said:

 

Quick question- safe to fly if one battery indicating low but the other normal?

 

Low is 22+/-

The Required Equipment list in your Ovation POH shows that two batteries are necessary for Day or Night VFR or IFR.  Just having both batteries installed isn't what's necessary - they need to be functional. See if it will come back up with a charge on the ground. Electrical problems are no fun in the air. In theory each battery in your Ovation has a trickle charge circuit if you are using the opposite battery, but I still wouldn't take off with one dead battery. (I use BAT 1 on odd days that I fly and BAT 2 on even days just to have a procedure that reminds me to exercise both batteries.)

[GeeBee]

Unbalanced batteries lead to trouble. Lancescaper is correct.

 

[exM20K]

5 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

In theory each battery in your Ovation has a trickle charge circuit if you are using the opposite battery, but I still wouldn't take off with one dead battery. (I use BAT 1 on odd days that I fly and BAT 2 on even days just to have a procedure that reminds me to exercise both batteries.)

Also, check that the trickle charger breaker is in.  Just inside the left battery access door on my Acclaim.  Mine was tripping all the time when the right side battery was dying.

-dan

[GaryP1007]

The Required Equipment list in your Ovation POH shows that two batteries are necessary for Day or Night VFR or IFR.  Just having both batteries installed isn't what's necessary - they need to be functional. See if it will come back up with a charge on the ground. Electrical problems are no fun in the air. In theory each battery in your Ovation has a trickle charge circuit if you are using the opposite battery, but I still wouldn't take off with one dead battery. (I use BAT 1 on odd days that I fly and BAT 2 on even days just to have a procedure that reminds me to exercise both batteries.)

Thanks.


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[rickseeman]

3 hours ago, GaryP1007 said:

 

Quick question- safe to fly if one battery indicating low but the other normal?

 

Low is 22+/-

 

 

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I'm from Arkansas. Do you really think that would bother me?

[Jerry 5TJ]

It might be a good time to pull out the batteries, charge them to full, then run a battery capacity test.   (Test is run at a constant current equal to the amp-hour rating).  
All you ever wanted to know about capacity testing your Concord aircraft batteries:  https://batterymanagement.concordebattery.com/BatteryDocs/5-0171.pdf

 

[GaryP1007]

Tested both with a meter and got 25.8 on each.


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[GaryP1007]

Any suggestions for a good trickle charger?


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[LANCECASPER]

7 minutes ago, GaryP1007 said:

Tested both with a meter and got 25.8 on each.
 

That's just a voltage reading - not a capacity test.  A capacity test determines if the battery will deliver the required current. After receiving a full charge, the battery is subjected for one hour to a typical discharge current of 100% of its rating. 

A BatteryMinder specific to your battery is a good external trickle charger. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/batteryminder_24v.php

[N201MKTurbo]

Are you going to be out at the airport tomorrow?

[GaryP1007]

Are you going to be out at the airport tomorrow?

I can.


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[hais]

4 hours ago, exM20K said:

Also, check that the trickle charger breaker is in.  Just inside the left battery access door on my Acclaim.  Mind was tripping all the time when the right side battery was dying.

-dan

Nice to know, thanks!

[N201MKTurbo]

18 minutes ago, GaryP1007 said:

I can.


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I'll probably head out there about 9:00 AM. I can take a look at your batteries. 

[GaryP1007]

I'll probably head out there about 9:00 AM. I can take a look at your batteries. 

Great. I just sent a DM to you


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[exM20K]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

That's just a voltage reading - not a capacity test.  A capacity test determines if the battery will deliver the required current. After receiving a full charge, the battery is subjected for one hour to a typical discharge current of 100% of its rating. 

A BatteryMinder specific to your battery is a good external trickle charger. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/batteryminder_24v.php

If you have a battery minder(s), how did you route the wires to the exterior?

Also, I assume it one minder per battery, correct?  

-dan

Edit…. Reading is fundamental.  From the spruce product page…. 
 

• Maintain up to 2 batteries at a time. (requires BatteryMINDer® Y-Connector Accessory 210-AY)

[LANCECASPER]

52 minutes ago, exM20K said:

If you have a battery minder(s), how did you route the wires to the exterior?

Also, I assume it one minder per battery, correct?

-dan

 

I've done it with one and a splitter (part number 210-AY) and with two battery minders. I use two presently only because I have them - one works fine.

I run the cords from each battery and zip tie them along the way over to the oxygen filler door. When my airplane was in for service at the Mooney Service Center they were fine with it and said it made a lot more sense then having to leave the baggage door open to run the cord in.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ygbmo9l7w5rhkgv/IMG_4789.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4a4ayjdwzxwatny/IMG_4787.JPG?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/0oo0v0ukergke8l/IMG_4786.JPG?dl=0

 

 

[carusoam]

+1 for using the BatteryMinder….  Good quality, works as expected…  it’s brain decides how to charge, full, trickle, desulfur….  It's expensive, but you are getting what you paid for…

+1 if you want two….  The Y cord works… but can leave you wondering about how well….  Especially if your two batteries are of different ages or brands….

While you are at it… make sure the battery selector switch system is still working… relays don’t croak often, but… last time I wore out a battery, the relay for the other battery was no longer working…

I don’t have an O2 door… but, the GPU door has plenty of wiggle room to get wire and connector in next to the big plug…

PP thoughts as usual…

Best regards,

-a-

[Graf_Aviator]

Also, check that the trickle charger breaker is in.  Just inside the left battery access door on my Acclaim.  Mine was tripping all the time when the right side battery was dying.
-dan

Dan, could you please share a picture of this trickle charger breaker? Would love to find it but did not see it in my 06 Ovation 2GX.
Thanks


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[flysamo]

just went thru exact issue battery reading 23.5 volts, ordered new battery used to be 400 a battery latest battery was 815 delivered, old battery was 2013 install date. over the years have lost 2 alternators, dual battery's are really useful alt. goes south 

[exM20K]

11 hours ago, Graf_Aviator said:

Dan, could you please share a picture of this trickle charger breaker? Would love to find it but did not see it in my 06 Ovation 2GX.
Thanks


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I can't get out to the hangar just now.  If yours is set up like mine, just pop open the left side cover.  It is sitting just inside and aft with a handful of breatkers.

-dan

[atpdave]

13 hours ago, Graf_Aviator said:

Dan, could you please share a picture of this trickle charger breaker? Would love to find it but did not see it in my 06 Ovation 2GX.
Thanks


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I think M20R SNs before 29-0475 had inline fuse holders, not CBs for this. Look for a black inline fuse holder wired to the corresponding battery relay.

[LANCECASPER]

4 hours ago, atpdave said:

I think M20R SNs before 29-0475 had inline fuse holders, not CBs for this. Look for a black inline fuse holder wired to the corresponding battery relay.

That's correct. They use a 10AG slo-blo fuse.