Thorp Air Command - T18.net

If I chose to make my own battery box (to place on the firewall), what would the battery box need to be made of? Is there anything special I need to consider here or can I just weld a box together and be done?

If you go with a PC-680 you can buy a Battery Box / Rack for $50. If not you can buy a fiberglass box for around $100. We had an aluminum box (internally coated with resin) in N51863 for a few years ... one spill and it started corroding pretty bad. We ended up building the fiberglass box that is still in there today. I have a stainless box in the current airplane that I'll be replacing soon as it weighs a ton!

If you're putting it on the firewall I'm assuming your going with the Odyseey PC-680 .. save yourself the trouble and buy a pre-made box(on e-bay for $50).

_________________
Lee Walton
Houston, TX
N51863,N118LW
KEFD

I Used a sealed battery without a box. Tray riveted to the firewall and sits on a welded tab on the mount. Concord xc-25.

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I believe I got my PC-680 battery box from Spruce...about $40.00. Lite weight, well built. No brainer. A few floating nut plates on the firewall...Bada Bing, Bada Boom ! [:p] I also put a hinge on the bottom to tilt the battery out. Probably overkill. [B)]

RB

yea, i was just worried a prefab box may not fit and i might have to fabricate one. its really tight in there. if at all possible, im gonna use the PC-680/box for it. But, if it wont fit, whats the best material to use for a battery box?

I don't think you will find a pre-fab box any smaller for the PC-680. It fits like a glove...it was made for this battery and when I say like a glove, I mean it ! Once the battery is in it, it will not move around in the box. In fact I don't think you can make a box any better or smaller for this battery. [;)] There is just enough flange material on the sides of the box ( I believe it is about 1/2-5/8" wide) to attach it with screws or bolts. Six holes already drilled in it. I can't remember if it is made of mild steel or aluminum ? Go to their site, it may have that info ? Even installed where I did, there is still some wiggle room to play with. [:D]

RB

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Do you guys know of a reason not to place my battery on the floor between the pilot and pax sides? I have attached a picture with a red square where I am talking about. My PC-680 box will fit nicely in there.

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proposed battery location

wow nice interior looks like a sports car. But if it is a standard T18 youe proposed location would probably interfere with the rudder cables

Dave

Lousy idea! I almost lost my T-18 (and me) to a shorted cable too near the rudder cables. This, after over a thousand hours in service. Even "sealed" batteries give off fumes that are corrosive. Add to that, the fuel tank line comes out right there. A bad (corroded) connection and a small fuel leak, well just don't do it.

_________________
Bob Highley
N711SH
SN 835
KLAL

that answers that.

Ryan: Nice cockpit. Looked up your battery choice and read the manual as I am investigating a battery for my ship.
http://www.google.ca/search?q=PC-680+&s ... 1I7ADSA_en .

Personally do not like the battery location in the cock pit or mounted on the firewall, due to heat and accessibility to service. Heat equates to venting and shorter life. Fuel, rudder cables and possible battery venting bad mixture (even if just a small amount of venting).

I like the choice of battery, for acid saturated mat separators virtually eliminates spilling, also the testing stats looks good too.

My suggestion for battery location is behind the seat in the "baggage area" small weight penalty for longer cables however, lots of upside on safety.

There was a time when the battery's weight was used to off set Weight and balance (C of G) and the battery was one of the last things put in the aircraft.

_________________
Victor J Thompson
C-GIRQ
"In Memory Of Dad"

I have been running a small battery for years that is mounted on the firewall. It has been great and trouble freel. I just replace it every two years. I just buy cheap batterys - $50 to $60 bucks or so. It cranks the 0-290 just fine. If you are concerned about venting and cooling the battery run scat tubing from the back baffle to give it a little air. A Mustang II owner/operator claims you can run a batter much longer by running a dedicated air tube to the batter box. I have not tried that, but may. I have also heard that is a good idea for the starter, mags and alternator.

Happy landings

N6CM, Brent Schultz

Not enough room. [B)] Also would be difficult to properly secure the battery box. In my opinion. The rudder cables are also at their closest point (width wise) in this location. If you don't go firewall or baggage compt., then under the pax seat with this battery (as some have done) is an option. Firewall = "easier access" = shorter leads to the starter. [:D] With these sealed "High Tech" batteries, I don't think heat is an issue as it has been in the past...with the wet cell units. A blast tube, as suggested would be an option.

RB

Cheap batteries [?] What brand and where ? Cheap/free = pilot.

RB

I appreciate all the info from everyone. I would like to put it on the firewall but since the fuel tank is up next to the firewall on the cockpit side, I am concerned with puncturing it while trying to drill/mount battery box. Anyone have any suggestions on a way to get the battery box holes safely drilled into the firewall and then mount the battery box with bolts without puncturing the fuel tank?