8KCAB Battery box and Odyssey?

B

Bob Turner

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Totally ignorant. I am running a Concorde RG35A-XC. A friend wants to use the PC-680, which is PMA. The factory sent him a huge new battery box, lots larger than the Concorde, and the drawing references a Hawker battery, which may or may not be the 680.

First question - does anybody else here have a simple wood base and two long 1/4” bolts holding a skinny bar against the top of the battery? I assume this was the 1977-79 version, since I have seen two that way. The box looks like a giant pain to install, and an even bigger pain for battery servicing. Plus, it was almost $500. Just the box!

Second question - my authority would be AC 43-13 B Chapt 10 (from memory, please). Does ACA have approval specifically for the Odyssey?
 
The sbs-j16 is listed, which is the PMA version of the pc-680. Hawker was just an old name or version. odyssey is what you will find now.

I simply used the odyssey hold down bracket for their battery. easy and cheap.
 
Big Dell doesn't want to open them either. I will go re-check that AD - I thought it was a simple inspection, which one ought to do annually anyway. Modern batteries are not like the acid-filled deals that can spill and corrode airframes.
 
Bob Turner said:
First question - does anybody else here have a simple wood base and two long 1/4” bolts holding a skinny bar against the top of the battery? I assume this was the 1977-79 version, since I have seen two that way. The box looks like a giant pain to install, and an even bigger pain for battery servicing.
Click to expand...
The original setup in was a rubber box with the hold downs as you describe. Here is the parts manual drawing from 77-79.

battery box.webp

The revised spec is an aluminum box with lexan lid. It fits in the same wood base, with similar hold downs except round bar instead of square, and slightly longer bolts. Here is a picture of the new box installed.
PXL_20210626_220714417.jpg
 
Thanks. That seems to be what it is, except that it is huge, and has a giant standoff affair.
 
Here we go -

c) The repetitive inspections required by paragraphs (a) and (b) may be discontinued when a battery box which will assure that any battery acid spillage is drained overboard is installed in accordance with data approved by the Chief, Engineering and Manufacturing Branch, Great Lakes Region. The battery box must be installed no later than March 1, 1973.

So if my English has not failed me, if one has not installed the approved box a half century ago, you need another type of AMOC. I will look at the drawing again.

You still have to inspect the area at annual.
 
SL 441 is also an AMOC. But you have to install the new aluminum box to comply. And it still requires annual inspection.
 
So it takes about five minutes to do the inspection.
Fifty years ago batteries leaked often. I do not believe you can buy a wet battery any more, but if you could, why on earth would you put it in a Decathlon?
If one of these new batteries cracked and leaked, you would probably have more trouble than a couple of replaced control cables, even if it was in an aluminum box. I'd rather take a look once every three months. Or every week, if the thing flies a lot.
Thanks. I am much smarter now.
 
Here is my advice to the owner:

The only downside of not using the big box is a 25 hr battery area inspection - ten minutes and a flashlight. Still have to do it at annual anyway, and the box probably adds 30 minutes to the inspection time. So, cost- wise it is a wash, not counting installation cost (maybe two hours).
 
So now my six year old Concorde RG 35A-XC seems like it has reached the end of its life. Anybody have a comparison between the Concorde and the Odyssey, in terms of reliable starting? I would leave it in the back.
 
The factory is working on adding the EarthX battery to the specs, FWIW. I spoke to Chad and he said it has been at the FAA for quite a while, but they keep coming back with questions.
 
The odyssey batteries I have used have lasted in excess of 7 years. Although they have been moved to the front. If your wires are good, I dont see any problems.... I'm turning a 0-470 over with one and I have friends with io-520s and 550s using them.
 
Sold. I will order one tonight. Wores goes to worst I can use it in the J4.
I agree - most Odyssey batteries seem to last just fine. I was just worried about lower cranking amps.
 
Bob,
I had an Odyssey 680 in my Hiperbipe for 5+ years and no problems turning over a hot-rodded IO360 angle valve motor...
Here are pics of the 680 install behind the seat of the Champ. The box is specifically for the 680/sbs-j16 battery. I'd be willing to bet a field approval for the AMOC wouldn't be too hard...
20220126_140705.jpg
20210107_165617.webp
As long as the steel Odyssey battery box is solidly mounted to the same structural members as the old box there ain't much difference.

Chris
 
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