twinkie voltage regulators

[steen]

Hi, all.
PA-30B, still running original 50A. generators with original control/paralleling relays.
Going to switch to modern electronic regulators so I can use the sealed aircraft batteries now available.
Yes, I will keep my generators....no alternators. Yeah, I know, I've been a Ludite for a long time.
I've used Zeftronics voltage regulators on singles and been very happy with them, but has anyone used them on a twin?
They have two models, G150EN for use with a paralleling relay and G150KN which need no paralleling relay.
Any experience/thoughts out there in our august group?
Steen

[Charles Schefer]

Steen, your post concerns me because... I just upgraded to a Concorde AGM battery (RG-35AXC) under STC. We are completing the paperwork and are about to return the aircraft to service. Like you I have the original generators. I'm not aware of a problem with this set-up. Is there an issue with this?

Thanks,

- Charles

[steen]

Charles,
My info sources....I'm an A&P....tell me that the older mechanical voltage regulators are too coarse to provide the fine
control a sealed battery requires. After all, it cannot vent as the older batteries could.
My thought is never put the sealed battery in without modern fine tuned controllers.
Steen

[Charles Schefer]

Thanks Steen that is good to know and your comment seems logical. Eventually I plan to go to the Plane Power Alternators but not yet.... In the mean time I think I'll call Concorde tomorrow and ask about this. FYI the Concorde battery is actually a Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) battery. it is an AGM battery but it does have the ability to vent gasses if internal pressure is to high. Here's a link -> http://www.concordebattery.com/flyer.php?id=38

I'll call Concorde in the morning. Also for what it's worth... The Concorde battery is STCed for the PA-30 and there is no mention of requiring new voltage regulators...

- Charles

[Charles Schefer]

I spent several hours on the phone with a tech at Concorde today on this issue and in short Steen is correct. However there is a longer story which comes down to... it may or may not be an issue in the case of the PA-30B and the old generators. I am waiting for a call back for Concorde's expert on this specific issue who apparently also has PA-30 knowledge. I will post what I've learned as soon as I hear back from Concorde.

- Charles

[steen]

Thanks, Charles. Anxious to know.
Steen

[Charles Schefer]

[steen]

Thanks, Charles. Good info and a great reporting job.
Steen

[Charles Schefer]

Thanks Steen - Happy to do it

I still have my plane out of service pending nose cowl fastner replacement but as soon as she is back in service I will report back on how the Concorde AGM behaves in my 1968 PA-30B with the old generators and regulators. I don't expect that to happen for another week. Ugh I hate down-time.

- Charles

[William Flood]

I followed suit and ordered a RG35AXC as I got fed up of that gill rubbish. The last gill battery was fitted in Nov 2012 - so 6 months and its capacity is shot. Specific gravity over 120 but only tested at 15% capacity.

I too have the older style generators and regulators. Said I'd take the chance on it based on that feedback from Concorde. I have a PA32 that I'm brokering and it has a Concorde, it didn't fly for six months but the battery cranked like it had been flown the day before. They are way superior IMHO.

[Charles Schefer]

I totally agree with William's comment on "Gill Rubbish". We put a new Gill battery in one of our Cirrus aircraft and 11 months later the positive battery terminal came loose inside the battery housing!?!?!?! Gill said they would replace 1/12 of it under warranty (12 month prorated warranty so I'd have to pay 11/12ths of a new Gill). I said no thanks and bought an upgraded Concorde AGM which has been flawless.

- Charles

[William Flood]

Pleased to report Concorde AXC 35 Battery works just fine with the older style generators and voltage regulators. None of the flicker in the ammeter that I was watching out for. A little more awkward to put the cables onto the terminals but that is the only negative. Great starting power, and I see it as a good addition to the aircraft.

William

[Charles Schefer]

William - Thanks for that report. Regarding the battery connections, go to Bogurt Aviation. They have Concorde battery adapters for $55 that solve this exact problem. I have them and they are well designed and work perfectly though I would add I also have their battery box (STC) and copper cables to the battery terminals.

Here's a link I hope will work...

http://bogertaviation.com/index.php?pag ... &Itemid=23

Charles

[Charles Schefer]

Here is a pic of my Concorde 35-AGX with the Bogurt Battery Adapters. The adapters are the little copper pieces right between the battery terminals and the cables. They just relocate the connection point inboard slightly. I believe the other option is Concorde can supply a different battery box lid but I think one or the other is actually required by the STC...

- Charles

[SLIMDREDGER]

Thanks, Charles for a well written essay on the dry battery/regulator situation. I put a dry battery and electronic regulator in my PA-30 C/R generator driven system several years ago and have been surprised by how well the generators charge up the battery. The discussion that a high rate of initial charge is better than a slsow charge is enlightening, and it confirms my experience.

I used to usually hook up a "Battery Tender" at the end of a flight, but after talking with the Concorde rep at OSH and being advised not to use that brand if the charger had been made in China, as mine was. I stopped the stand by trickle charging and found that the Concorde held it's charge and I always had plennty of electric power to run everything when I was ready for take off.

al powers ics 2978