Back Up Battery Charging

[mike_newall]

The Skyview back up battery is showing 10.8v and I would like to charge it as it won't come into service for a while.

Can't get 14v onto the circuit to overcome the protection.

Any suggestions ?

 

[dynonsupport]

Mike,
There is no acceptable way to charge the battery except via SkyView. Note that SkyView needs to be above 12.25V on the input to charge, not 14V. Most aircraft battery chargers will accomplish this.

However, you don't want to charge the battery. Lithium Ion batteries degrade over time, and they degrade faster when fully charged or fully discharged because the chemistry is far away from it's natural point. The optimal charge to maximize life is about 30%, which is pretty close to where you are. I'd leave that battery alone and not worry about it.

 

[DonFromTX]

Wow, now that is a new one on me for sure! I had always thought I needed to keep it at full charge to obtain maximum life from it.

Mike,
There is no acceptable way to charge the battery except via SkyView. Note that SkyView needs to be above 12.25V on the input to charge, not 14V. Most aircraft battery chargers will accomplish this.

However, you don't want to charge the battery. Lithium Ion batteries degrade over time, and they degrade faster when fully charged or fully discharged because the chemistry is far away from it's natural point. The optimal charge to maximize life is about 30%, which is pretty close to where you are. I'd leave that battery alone and not worry about it.

 

[vlittle]

Due to the limitations of my access to the main battery, I can't use a high power charger, so I added a separate SkyView power port, illustated in the following:

http://www.vx-aviation.com/sprocket/photos/panel_elec/schematics/AV.pdf

Vern

 

[mike_newall]

That's great info, thanks.