Avidflyer2
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Teledyne Battery Products (more commonly known as Gill Battery) has announced a Rebate Coupon Promotion on their LT Super Capacity, Sealed Lead Acid batteries, Models: 7025-24 (12V 25Ah Case Size 25 - Cessna 150 - 172); 7035-34 (12V 34Ah Case Size 35) applicable to most GA Piper Airplanes, and having a $25 rebate. There are two more Models: 7242-16; and 7243-16 with a $50 rebate.
The Gill sealed lead acid battery 7035-34 replaces the venerable G-35 flooded cell lead acid battery we are most accustomed to seeing as the G-35 is probably the most common and cheapest $$ aircraft battery available. The 7035-34 has greater ampere hour capacity (34 Ah vs 23 Ah G-35 Battery), much like the Concorde AXC series sealed batteries.
I especially like the Gill battery over the Concorde due to the Gill's built in carrying handle. Unlike the Concorde which relies on one sticking their fingers under the top cover to lift the battery, the Gill battery has a folding plastic handle which is full span across the top of the battery making it extremely easy to remove and install in those awkward places such as the Piper Seneca battery compartment tucked up forward in the nose compartment. In addition, the Gill battery terminal posts can be converted from post to bolt-on terminal connections AND the terminal height (7.34 inches to top of terminal) is standard in that one does not have to use bushings (like on Concorde) to increase the terminal height to match up the battery cables with the holes in the battery boxes. On a sour note the 7035-34 battery weighs in at 31.4 lbs, while the original G-35 battery weighs 27 lbs thus necessitating a change to the airplane's empty weight.
The Gill LT Super Capacity Battery is not well known in my area, I think the part number of the standard Gill sealed battery 7035-28, or newer 7035-34, is confusing to some people into thinking it is a 24 or 28 volt battery instead of a 12 volt battery. The important item to remember is that the number following the dash is the batteries ampere hour rating and not a indicator of its voltage rating.
The Gill 7035-34 battery can be installed with a simple maintenance record entry as this particular battery does not have an STC w/AML. Yes, the battery is also PMA'd but not requiring an STC or field approval. The battery has instead what is called an "FAA Identicality Approval" which will be a topic of another thread I will post later.
These sealed batteries can be stored for a long period of time with an occasional "Boost Charge" instead of a constant "Float or Trickle Charge" per the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM). The recommended replacement interval is 3 - 5 years under normal usage. The CMM or ICA also has a requirement to perform a "Capacity Check" which involves charging and then discharging the battery at a constant rate to determine if the battery's "End Point Voltage" will be 10 volts or greater after 48 minutes (80% of 60 minutes) at the specified discharge rate.
If your present battery is getting a little weak, or if it has been installed for more than 3 years, I suggest taking advantage of this Gill Battery Rebate Coupon and having a replacement battery on hand before your mechanic tells you that your battery has failed its Annual or six month capacity check. "Just because your battery is not dead yet it may not be technically airworthy if it doesn't have 80% of its capacity remaining." You who fly IFR in IMC conditions should be particularly aware of the battery's role in supplying essential power when the primary alternator or generator unit fails in flight!
The Gill sealed lead acid battery 7035-34 replaces the venerable G-35 flooded cell lead acid battery we are most accustomed to seeing as the G-35 is probably the most common and cheapest $$ aircraft battery available. The 7035-34 has greater ampere hour capacity (34 Ah vs 23 Ah G-35 Battery), much like the Concorde AXC series sealed batteries.
I especially like the Gill battery over the Concorde due to the Gill's built in carrying handle. Unlike the Concorde which relies on one sticking their fingers under the top cover to lift the battery, the Gill battery has a folding plastic handle which is full span across the top of the battery making it extremely easy to remove and install in those awkward places such as the Piper Seneca battery compartment tucked up forward in the nose compartment. In addition, the Gill battery terminal posts can be converted from post to bolt-on terminal connections AND the terminal height (7.34 inches to top of terminal) is standard in that one does not have to use bushings (like on Concorde) to increase the terminal height to match up the battery cables with the holes in the battery boxes. On a sour note the 7035-34 battery weighs in at 31.4 lbs, while the original G-35 battery weighs 27 lbs thus necessitating a change to the airplane's empty weight.
The Gill LT Super Capacity Battery is not well known in my area, I think the part number of the standard Gill sealed battery 7035-28, or newer 7035-34, is confusing to some people into thinking it is a 24 or 28 volt battery instead of a 12 volt battery. The important item to remember is that the number following the dash is the batteries ampere hour rating and not a indicator of its voltage rating.
The Gill 7035-34 battery can be installed with a simple maintenance record entry as this particular battery does not have an STC w/AML. Yes, the battery is also PMA'd but not requiring an STC or field approval. The battery has instead what is called an "FAA Identicality Approval" which will be a topic of another thread I will post later.
These sealed batteries can be stored for a long period of time with an occasional "Boost Charge" instead of a constant "Float or Trickle Charge" per the Component Maintenance Manual (CMM). The recommended replacement interval is 3 - 5 years under normal usage. The CMM or ICA also has a requirement to perform a "Capacity Check" which involves charging and then discharging the battery at a constant rate to determine if the battery's "End Point Voltage" will be 10 volts or greater after 48 minutes (80% of 60 minutes) at the specified discharge rate.
If your present battery is getting a little weak, or if it has been installed for more than 3 years, I suggest taking advantage of this Gill Battery Rebate Coupon and having a replacement battery on hand before your mechanic tells you that your battery has failed its Annual or six month capacity check. "Just because your battery is not dead yet it may not be technically airworthy if it doesn't have 80% of its capacity remaining." You who fly IFR in IMC conditions should be particularly aware of the battery's role in supplying essential power when the primary alternator or generator unit fails in flight!
