- Joined
- Oct 31, 1996
- Posts
- 1,322
- Type aircraft owned
- Carbon Cub FX-3
- Base airport
- KFCI
- Ratings
- COMM, IFR, MEL, SEL
A few discussions on the forum about choosing an ignition backup battery but this thread will document the actual mod of switching to a different ignition backup battery from the PowerSonic AGM installed in my FX-3. Anyone else that wants to contribute with their mod to their Carbon Cub of any flavor feel free to use this thread as well.
This evening I decided to pull the right forward panel off and begin the brainstorming process of changing out the PowerSonic battery to another option of higher capacity and likely LiFePO4. I didn't take any pictures but here are my discoveries from the start of this process.
The EarthX almost fits in the hole of the PowerSonic bracket but it does not. I thought about removing the bracket used to hold the PowerSonic but that would be a challenge due to the small nuts behind the bracket that holds the custom built bracket in place. I also would prefer to leave the bracket intact should I ever want or need to go back to the factory setup. So that area is out.
Now where can I put this small EarthX battery? I pulled the GDU and it will not fit behind the GDU so that option is out.
Back to the right forward panel. There is a lot of space below the Light Speed ignition modules and forward at the firewall end. After maneuvering the battery around I think that's the best spot. I need to design a mount that will likely use Adel clamps to secure it in place. It's going to take a few iterations I'm sure and I surely want to make sure I never touch or impact the boot cowl and cause a dent on that thin aluminum so I'll also want to put a piece of foam pad between the battery and the aluminum for safety. Again, there's plenty of room but I don't need any more drama with this plane so I am being extra careful.
An alternative but far less desired location would be possibly mounting it below the pilot seat underneath the aircraft from the access panel on the bottom.
The TCW IBBS battery is an ideal size and it's tempting but it too needs a bracket of some type. I'll see what I can come up with for the EarthX I have first. Time for some CAD work to see what I can design for a PETG bracket.
This evening I decided to pull the right forward panel off and begin the brainstorming process of changing out the PowerSonic battery to another option of higher capacity and likely LiFePO4. I didn't take any pictures but here are my discoveries from the start of this process.
The EarthX almost fits in the hole of the PowerSonic bracket but it does not. I thought about removing the bracket used to hold the PowerSonic but that would be a challenge due to the small nuts behind the bracket that holds the custom built bracket in place. I also would prefer to leave the bracket intact should I ever want or need to go back to the factory setup. So that area is out.
Now where can I put this small EarthX battery? I pulled the GDU and it will not fit behind the GDU so that option is out.
Back to the right forward panel. There is a lot of space below the Light Speed ignition modules and forward at the firewall end. After maneuvering the battery around I think that's the best spot. I need to design a mount that will likely use Adel clamps to secure it in place. It's going to take a few iterations I'm sure and I surely want to make sure I never touch or impact the boot cowl and cause a dent on that thin aluminum so I'll also want to put a piece of foam pad between the battery and the aluminum for safety. Again, there's plenty of room but I don't need any more drama with this plane so I am being extra careful.
An alternative but far less desired location would be possibly mounting it below the pilot seat underneath the aircraft from the access panel on the bottom.
The TCW IBBS battery is an ideal size and it's tempting but it too needs a bracket of some type. I'll see what I can come up with for the EarthX I have first. Time for some CAD work to see what I can design for a PETG bracket.
