PA32R-300 questions and battery questions in general.

[BushwickBill]

Hi All,

I just wanted to ask a few questions about the PA32R-300 and the electrical systems:

1. Does this aircraft have a history of being hard to start?

2. Does the starter motor and battery match up to the demands of starting up the engine? IO540 I believe (pretty big).

3. Is there a way to trickle charge the battery without having to open up the battery compartment?

4. What procedure should be used for jump starting the aircraft?

Battery questions in general.

1. What is the best procedure to use for keeping the battery in the best condition for periods of longer than a week? Month?

2. How long can a battery sit on the ramp and still start an IO540? How much does temperature affect this? For example overnight freezing temperatures at an empty ramp in rural Montana.

 

[wooferdog]

Low temps - esp. those found in MT in winter - are holy-hell on Lead-Acid batts.

If aircraft is sitting on ramp, take that batt. out!

You could try one of those cig. lighter trickle chargers to keep your batt. top charged.

Also, http://sportys.com/PilotShop/product/11995

Heck yeah, those big-bore Lycomings take a few amps to turn, esp. in cold.

Personally, I would not try to start a cold-soaked airplane after a night of -20F. Needs pre-heated, or you run the risk of trashing parts out. It's just not worth it. Pre-Heat is the key.

 

[wooferdog]

Also, http://www.oilamatic.com/

 

[BushwickBill]

Hey thanks a lot.

 

[erj-145mech]

Another thing about the Lance's and some of the other late 70 and 80 vintage Pipers is that the factory used aluminum wire to reduce weight. The aluminum wire builds up corrosion, and resistance and so you may not be getting a full 12 volts to the starter, even with a fresh hot battery.

If you have the aluminum wire, you may want to consider replacing it with copper wire.

We had an Archer that when we discovered it, only was getting about 9 volts to the starter motor and the battery was reading 11.9 volts.

 

[Hung Start]

It has been a long time, and the memory is not as sharp as it used to be:

I don't think the cigarette lighter is hot wired to the battery. So, for a trickle charger to work you would need to leave the master switch on.
That would not make sense at all.

Hung

 

[deadstick]

Another thing about the Lance's and some of the other late 70 and 80 vintage Pipers is that the factory used aluminum wire to reduce weight. The aluminum wire builds up corrosion, and resistance and so you may not be getting a full 12 volts to the starter, even with a fresh hot battery.

If you have the aluminum wire, you may want to consider replacing it with copper wire.

We had an Archer that when we discovered it, only was getting about 9 volts to the starter motor and the battery was reading 11.9 volts.

I was thinking about this too.

 

[1folinepilot]

For the best engine and battery heater kits go to www.tanisaircraft.com as the tanis heater systems are the best

call Alaska tent and Tarp up in Fairbanks, Alaska to get a real good engine cover that wraps the entire nose and prop dome of your bird.... guaranteed to keep the heat in

www.aircraftspruce.com has several high torque light weight starters that will spin your 540 way better than the factory unit you have installed and with a good set of wires and a warm battery, you are guaranteed a fast crank.

Remember to switch to a good multi grade oil for the winter like a 15w-50 and make sure you pre-heat prior to start as you will kill your lifters and scuff your cyl's/rings good.

While you are poking around with the cowl off on your lance.... make sure you inspect the firewall area where the nose gear actuator attaches for cracks and any distortions.... all the PA-32R's crack out there eventially

 

[clickclickboom]

Copper cables, and a concorde battery ( gills suck)

Also buy a lightweight starter...

I have a skytec 149pm left over from my aztec.. check the part number and if it works i will sell it for cheap....

 

[BushwickBill]

Thank you for all of your help. The information has been very useful. We have the cowl off. I will look for cracks. Thank you.