EarthX battery for Experimental Aircraft

[Cubonaut875]

Here is my current battery set up largely as if came from the factory, this picture was just before I put the pigtails on for the back up starter battery but with the charger pads attached. I was contemplating how I was going to get the pigtail on for the back up battery, hence I'm sitting in the back seat with my socks on. The arrow pointing to the open lead in the last picture was me asking Pete what it was for and if it was disconnected. I seriously forget what he said it was for, but the just was that it was not a problem. I believe it was a sensor lead of some type.

 

[spusmc]

Ok, very interesting. Mine is facing 90 degrees from that facing forward. I am going to investigate this and make those adjustments. It makes sense for servicing- thanks for the pics. I will shoot some before and after pics in case anyone else is in the same boat. I have some time to do this since we are snowed in here in Colorado..... That lead is for an aux light you can mount in the dash to give you a heads up of a fault or low battery. I capped mine, there are enough blinky lights already.

 

[Neal]

Per Pete at CC you don't need that lead/light as the G3X will alert with voltage anomalies. I think the difference is @Cubonaut875 got his EarthX installed from the factory whereas the SBS-J16 is oriented with leads forward as you pictured. Interesting how they rotated it.

 

[Cubonaut875]

I would assume that rotation of the battery has something to do with the vent lines, which are still difficult to connect back as you can see one has been trimmed to allow the vent to be connected. As I understand, Neal's vent is located differently due to your cargo pod.

 

[Neal]

I don't have the vented EarthX battery, that is for certified aircraft and what CubCrafters uses and probably not a bad idea. Not all aircraft can open windows (and door) if needed but just as with the choice of EarthX (LiFePO4) there is assumed risk.

 

[Cubonaut875]

Makes sense now, the cargo pod would not allow venting in the usual place, hence having the plane delivered without LiFePO4 battery.

 

[Neal]

 

[Neal]

@lrobichaux here is the part I was mentioning that may make the installation easier in a tight space with wiring.

SKU: Adapter-CDE (Terminal Adapters Designed for C, D, and E Cases)

Shop our Terminal Adapter-CDE kit online now. Easy installation for your motorsports vehicle's side or front mounted battery cable. Fits all C,D & E cases.

earthxbatteries.com

 

[Neal]

Specs comparison:

ETX-900: Dimensions: 6.5" L x 3" W x 6.6" H
ETX-1200: Dimensions: 6.5" L x 3" W x 6.6" H

Seems like a no brainer to me to now go with the ETX-1200 as someone else suggested a few days ago.

 

[Neal]

 

[Neal]

There has been discussion as to when the EarthX battery shuts off. From the FAQ section of the EarthX site:

The battery management system disconnects the battery from the load if it is drained to less than 5% remaining charge (an over-discharge condition). An over-discharged battery typically has a voltage less than 11.5V (10 -11.5 volt), although the discount setpoint is not based on voltage (it is based on remaining charge).

 

[lrobichaux]

Fantastic information. I’m gonna research and will likely pick up the 1200. May also upgrade my NXCub to the 1200 as well. Appreciate the post.

 

[Cactus Charlie]

I replaced my hopeless SBS-J16 with another, also hopeless, SBS-J16 then fitted an EarthX ETX 680C. It has no vent tube and I'm not at all distressed by that.

I made copper jumpers to link the battery to the existing battery cables so any future owner can punish themselves with an SBS-J16 if they wish to.

 

[ve6yeq]

@lrobichaux here is the part I was mentioning that may make the installation easier in a tight space with wiring.

SKU: Adapter-CDE (Terminal Adapters Designed for C, D, and E Cases)

Shop our Terminal Adapter-CDE kit online now. Easy installation for your motorsports vehicle's side or front mounted battery cable. Fits all C,D & E cases.

earthxbatteries.com

My solution is just a "tab" of Gorilla tape on the side, so it is simple to partially pull out the EarthX battery to disconnect the ground.

Now, only if the ELT were as easy to remove and re-install...

 

[ve6yeq]

Specs comparison:

ETX-900: Dimensions: 6.5" L x 3" W x 6.6" H
ETX-1200: Dimensions: 6.5" L x 3" W x 6.6" H

Seems like a no brainer to me to now go with the ETX-1200 as someone else suggested a few days ago.

The capacity increase from 15.6 Ah to 20 Ah seems much less than the increase in cold cranking amps from 400 A to 600 A. As the CCA of 400 A seems more than enough for my CC363i when it is pre-heated, I would rather add the extra capacity to the backup batteries by changing the 3 Ah IBBS / "2.1 Ah" AGM pair for the EarthX 8 Ah EBBS.

 

[Neal]

Now, only if the ELT were as easy to remove and re-install...

I personally don't have a problem with the ELT. I disconnect the antenna then with the seat completely tilted forward it's easy to access.

 

[viator092]

Specs comparison:

ETX-900: Dimensions: 6.5" L x 3" W x 6.6" H
ETX-1200: Dimensions: 6.5" L x 3" W x 6.6" H

Seems like a no brainer to me to now go with the ETX-1200 as someone else suggested a few days ago.

Isn't the limiting factor when jumping up in CCA capabilities the gauge of the installed battery cable?

 

[Neal]

Isn't the limiting factor when jumping up in CCA capabilities the gauge of the installed battery cable?

No electrical engineer here but yeah, if something can request more amps the cables need to be sized for it. However, components that demand the amps typically have their limits so if a battery can deliver X CCA's it doesn't mean the component can demand it.

There is another discussion here in another thread that EarthX recommends NOT using the 1200 and that the 900 is the correct match and should be used. I think it was @lrobichaux asking on the CubCrafters Product Support Facebook group.

 

[viator092]

My solution is just a "tab" of Gorilla tape on the side, so it is simple to partially pull out the EarthX battery to disconnect the ground.

Now, only if the ELT were as easy to remove and re-install...

Man I coulda used this last night when I was cursing CC trying to install my new 900.