He was taxiing at the time, low rpm, with lower voltage on the volt meter.
He was taxiing at the time, low rpm, with lower voltage on the volt meter.
Can you find out exactly what model # that Earth-X battery was? I understand they have many models, but only recommend 3 models for aircraft use.
Jim Ott
Portland, OR
Kitfox SS7 flying
Rotax 912ULS
After seeing the failed battery picture , I did a google search for problems with the EarthX and one of the results was this particular avid story on the avid forum.
Kevin,
Kitfox Outback
912 ULS
Airmaster AP332CTFH-WWR70W
Summit Aircraft Wheel Skis
C-FOXW
I also did a little research on this and find that the battery in question was not one of the 3 "aircraft" batteries. It was a much smaller battery used with a 583 2-stroke Rotax engine with a pull-starter, so it wasn't even used for start cranking. Don't know what kind of a charging system or voltage regulator is used on a 583, so this may or may not have anything to do with it.
One thing worth noting is that the battery failure was not really an "explosion" but rather a bursting of the case with hot material being sprayed out. There was no fire involved. This is quite a bit different than most other Li-Ion (Earth-X is Li-Iron) batteries that do explode and almost always catch fire. I may be splitting hairs here, but want to point out some differences.
I'm not advocating one type battery over another here, but am very interested and will be watching this closely. I have had the AeroVotz Li-Iron battery in my SS7 with Rotax 912uls for 2.5 years now and have had no problems. When time to replace it I was strongly considering the Earth-X but will be keeping my eyes and options open.
Jim Ott
Portland, OR
Kitfox SS7 flying
Rotax 912ULS
I've been using the Aerovoltz battery for almost 2 years and it's worked great.
Mike Bentley
Model IV-1200
Jabiru 2200A #438
Rotec Aerosport LCH Heads
Ellison EFS-2 Throttle Body
Prince Prop (64x34)
My SPOT Page
Scorpion batteries..... Made in communist China hmmmmm
They stole my personal info from OPM. Gee I get free credit monitoring for a couple years.
They have stolen and continue to steal our tech info. Pretty much everything in our lives is made in China nowadays.
Superior, ECI, Cessna, Mooney, Beechcraft, Continental.... When is it going to end...
Jeff
KF 5
340KF
With 912iS, Rotax created a service instruction stating 912iS with LI-ion
battery must have an internal battery management system. John Mc B made up
a kit to replace the original Aervoltz with an EarthX which has the BMS.
Installs nicely and has caused no problems after 40 hrs.
I'm going to use the made in the USA Deka that Kitfox provided with my kit. It's an AGM battery like the Odysseys, and very reasonably priced & available from multiple sources on the internet as well as locally here in Denver. 220 CCA. I'm not really worried about the weight of the battery at this point - I understand that the newer model Kitfoxes tend to be a little tail heavy, if anything, anyway. Might as well use an inexpensive, reliable battery to start out with - that's what I'm thinking.
John Evens
Arvada, CO
Kitfox SS7 N27JE
EAA Lifetime
Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime
I'm using an Odyssey 680. It is doing a great job from the tail for starting the engine. I couldn't afford to go any lighter in the tail because of the CG.
Phil Nelson
A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
Flying since 2016
Makes sense, Phil. I should have said that the Rotax powered Series 7 may typically be a little tail heavy. If you want to carry a load in the baggage area, the heavier, cheaper batteries located in the engine compartment might be a good choice. Can anyone confirm that?
John Evens
Arvada, CO
Kitfox SS7 N27JE
EAA Lifetime
Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime