Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

Would it be safe to charge a 12V 7Ah SLA battery with a typical auto battery charger?

I think my battery is biting the dust. It is not charging well with that little wall charger. Been charging now for about 18 hours and still won't spin my starter strong enough to turn over an engine.

I was going to go out and get a new battery, but I am not confident that it will be charged by tomorrow morning with the wall charger.

Thanks,
Patrick

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

Sounds like your present battery has bit the dust. SLA's do not take kindly to being deep discharged or left uncharged for long periods and it is doubtful it will recover. You can use an automobile charger IF (and this is a big IF) you can limit the current, in your case to about 2 or 3 amperes else you will fry it. Check out www.rcbatteryclinic.com for some good info on SLA as well as other types of batteries. If you get a new one, remember, do not deep discharge it, as soon as the open circuit (no load) voltage falls to 12 volts, recharge.

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

Great Link! Thank you!

Looks like I am off in search of a new field box battery [:o]

Patrick

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

One more question before I run out and buy a new battery. Is there any reason, other than weight, that I shouldn't buy a 12V 12Ah battery from the local tractor supply rather than a 12V 7Ah?

Thanks,
Patrick

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

Figment,
Several of the guys I fly with use 12v lawn mower batteries. No problem.

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

Excellect! Thanks for the info.

Off to buy a battery :)

Patrick

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

The only drawback to the lawn mower batteries is the potential for acid spill. Just be careful that it doesn't get tipped over. The hobby batteries are sealed. Lawn mower batteries are typically not sealed. Even if they are, they are usually vented in some way (this is found mostly on motorcycle batteries). Just be careful of the acid spill.

RE: Charging SLA Field Box Battery
 

Well, I couldn't find a lawn tractor battery small enough to fit in the field box. I ended up going to the local electronics supplier and getting a 12V 12Ah battery that just barely fits.

Now I will feel confident about hooking up the Sirius Charger between flights and not have to worry about not having enough juice to run the starter.

I tell ya, I wish I could get an engine to fire on the first hand flip like some of the old timers at my club. Those guys know how to tune an engine!

Thanks again,
Patrick