POWERSAFE DRY CELL BATTERY SBS J-16 FAA PMA

[2066]

This may be covered in previous discussions...but, I'm curious if anyone has installed this battery in a 120/140 in the existing battery box via a "simple" 337...or, just via logbook entry? The battery is "FAA/PMA" and there are a number of STCs -- however the STCs apparently all require installing the Powersafe battery box. Again, just wondering if anyone has successfully ("legally") installed & used with the existing box? Thanks!
Mac

Powersafe SBS J-16.jpg (25.53 KiB) Viewed 1042 times

[6643]

Yes. I have. My IA said since it was PMA approved for other aircraft, and (a previous version) AC43.13-2a, chapter 10 paragraph 186 describes using wooden blocks as spacers in the battery box, it can be done with a log book entry.

Resist the urge to use the available mounting bracket to secure the battery to the back of the battery box. The battery box is designed to take a forward load on the forward face of the box. Use wooden spacers to keep the battery from moving forward or up in the box.

One potential gotcha: the Aircraft Specification says:
Electrical Equipment
302. Battery - 12 Volt 24 amp. hr.

The SBS J-16 is only 15 (16?) AH.

Shop around for the battery. The same battery is sold under several names: Powersafe, EnerSys, Hawker, and Odyssey, at least.

[6597]

Mac, check your PM's

[meloosifah]

My original install was in the battery box with wooden block spacers. My mechanic said that was perfectly acceptable. In fact my previous battery had been installed with wooden blocks as well. Unless you have the old original battery, you probably have wooden blocks to position any battery that you have in there. However, I took out the battery box, disassembled it, and used the bottom tray portion only. I then mounted the odyssey battery box to that tray, Laying on its side. This is a much better application, and eliminates much of the fore and aft loading. While I was in there, I installed a little pigtail for my battery maintainer.

[meloosifah]

Also, removing the top portion of the battery box and the wood blocks, I saved a couple of pounds total, in addition to the battery weight savings. I don’t remember offhand, but I could look it up for you if you were interested.

[6643]

I try to avoid doing anything that congers up the word "modification"...

[2066]

I try to avoid doing anything that congers up the word "modification"...

Agree...'though prob because I'm getting too lazy to endure the mod "experience". In any event, I happened to see my IA this afternoon & gave him the info to consider. His later reply was: "If you find one that will fit w/o changing the box, go for it. Larger is a problem. Smaller, can do easy, nay?. Paperwork schmaperwork." . Thanks to all for the sharing and ideas! (I "lost" a bit over 40 lbs. when we weighed the 140 recently -- if I keep on saving weight I may develop a "lighter than air Cessna" ) .
Mac

[6643]

"If you find one that will fit w/o changing the box, go for it. Larger is a problem. Smaller, can do easy, nay?. Paperwork schmaperwork."

Exactly!

[8362]

These are really good batteries. I got ten years out of my first one.

[2066]

These are really good batteries. I got ten years out of my first one.

Thanks -- even more reassuring of quality and practicality. I've had great service with the Concorde AGM batteries, too, but the weight savings, proven quality and great reports on quality and service certainly seem to point to this "dry cell" being the next even better battery for our special airplanes.
Mac