Aspen backup battery

[0TreeLemur]

Despite being replaced in 2021, the backup battery in my Aspen EDM Pro 1000 has failed it's test during annual.    Spruce sells them, but are back-ordered until mid-February or so they say.  Anybody know of another source where it doesn't cost $arm+$leg?  P/N 409-00003-001.

 

[LANCECASPER]

53 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Despite being replaced in 2021, the backup battery in my Aspen EDM Pro 1000 has failed it's test during annual.    Spruce sells them, but are back-ordered until mid-February or so they say.  Anybody know of another source where it doesn't cost $arm+$leg?  P/N 409-00003-001.

 

Sarasota shows them in stock.  https://sarasotaavionics.com/avionics/aspen-avionics-battery-assembly-white

Have you checked with Aspen?

 

[0TreeLemur]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Have you checked with Aspen?

Not yet.  I learned of this after close of business today.

[Will.iam]

The top killers of batteries is overcharging or having a low charge when it’s freezing temperatures. 

[larryb]

In this case we just have to depend on the Aspen to properly manage the battery charge state. The user does not have any control over the battery.

 

The battery is made of 2 18650 cells, which can be purchased for around $5 each. In theory, the existing pack could be overhauled with new cells. I buy Samsung cells from https://www.18650batterystore.com. I don't buy unknown cells off of Amazon. Equipment needed is a battery spot welder, nickel strips, and shrink wrap.

 

[0TreeLemur]

3 hours ago, larryb said:

In this case we just have to depend on the Aspen to properly manage the battery charge state. The user does not have any control over the battery.

 

The battery is made of 2 18650 cells, which can be purchased for around $5 each. In theory, the existing pack could be overhauled with new cells. I buy Samsung cells from https://www.18650batterystore.com. I don't buy unknown cells off of Amazon. Equipment needed is a battery spot welder, nickel strips, and shrink wrap.

 

Wow.  <bitchmode> What a great profit margin.  Spruce wants $260 for it.   One of the major avionics suppliers wants $340. 

I don't like where all this is heading.   During my recent annual the A&P/IA found a frayed spark plug cable.   Given that I have a dual mag, that meant buying a complete set, which comes with the distributor cap or whatever its called.   That came from Aviall, which is now owned by Boeing, and they charged almost $1500 for it.  That's an expensive ass set of spark plug cables. </bitchmode>

 

[LANCECASPER]

5 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Wow.  <bitchmode> What a great profit margin.  Spruce wants $260 for it.   One of the major avionics suppliers wants $340. 

I don't like where all this is heading.   During my recent annual the A&P/IA found a frayed spark plug cable.   Given that I have a dual mag, that meant buying a complete set, which comes with the distributor cap or whatever its called.   That came from Aviall, which is now owned by Boeing, and they charged almost $1500 for it.  That's an expensive ass set of spark plug cables. </bitchmode>

 

These folks could have sold you the one cable you needed instead of a complete harness.

https://www.maggieignitionsystems.com/

[0TreeLemur]

7 minutes ago, LANCECASPER said:

These folks could have sold you the one cable you needed instead of a complete harness.

 

Not helpful to me now.  The person doing the annual told me that the wires are an integral part of the dual mag cap and if one goes bad it requires a complete set.   I don't know the condition of the other wires, he only sent me photos of one that was frayed.   He's 100 miles from me and I have to rely on his judgment and expertise. 

[LANCECASPER]

12 minutes ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Not helpful to me now. 

My telepathy skills are lacking. I wasn't picking up any signals when you were notified of the problem . .lol.

At least you know if it ever happens again.

If it's a Kelly harness they sold you, you'll need this info in the future, they are junk. I would keep the old harness on the shelf as a spare once you've replaced that lead.

[EricJ]

1 hour ago, 0TreeLemur said:

Wow.  <bitchmode> What a great profit margin.  Spruce wants $260 for it.   One of the major avionics suppliers wants $340. 

I don't like where all this is heading.   During my recent annual the A&P/IA found a frayed spark plug cable.   Given that I have a dual mag, that meant buying a complete set, which comes with the distributor cap or whatever its called.   That came from Aviall, which is now owned by Boeing, and they charged almost $1500 for it.  That's an expensive ass set of spark plug cables. </bitchmode>

 

Bummer.   AFAIK all of the typical mag blocks, including for the dual mag, are servicable.   There are a couple tools needed that aren't super-common, but it's doable.   It is true that fewer and fewer people seem to know how to do this.    I've never done it, but I think I'd try it before I ordered an entire new harness (I know, too late for you).
 

 

[0TreeLemur]

On 1/6/2024 at 5:04 PM, LANCECASPER said:

If it's a Kelly harness they sold you, you'll need this info in the future, they are junk. I would keep the old harness on the shelf as a spare once you've replaced that lead.

It was sold by Aviall, a Boeing® Company!   I need to get more details.

[0TreeLemur]

On 1/5/2024 at 9:10 PM, LANCECASPER said:

Sarasota shows them in stock.

Hey- thanks for the recommendation.   I ordered from them and canceled my Spruce order.

[LANCECASPER]

On 1/7/2024 at 6:59 PM, 0TreeLemur said:

It was sold by Aviall, a Boeing® Company!   I need to get more details.

For next time this happens:

 

[0TreeLemur]

In all fairness to my A&P/IA, I looked over the old harness tonight while at the hangar.   It was in need of replacement.