Wings Forum

b1x4nqb · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 213 Location: Orwigsburg, PA

I have my battery box in the rear area like the factory plans show but am thinking of relocating onto the firewall engine side. Where did everyone else locate theirs? I have a couple of extra inches since I used the airbox however I'm slightly concerned with c of g and w&b with the engine and battery farther forward. I thought I would ask around.

Paul, PA

Roger · Joined: 25 Oct 2007 Posts: 58

Paul:
I plan on putting my battery back behind the rear baggage compartment, where Just suggests. I'm going to use an Odyssey 680 dry cell, as Jamie suggested, and that other Highlander owners use. I ran two # 4 braided wires under the floor boards up to the engine compartment. Dave U. of this forum only used one cable and used the framework as his ground. That saved him the added weight of an additional cable.
Roger

scubarider2 · Joined: 28 Jan 2008 Posts: 258 Location: Cleveland, GA

Here is a pic of where I mounted my odyssey. I did not want to put the battery way in the back where it was difficult to get at it and also did not want the weight that far back. Works great at this location with 75 hours flying :D
I bought the plate mounts to go with it so it is covered on top since it is in the luggage area. I ran the cables under to the firewall.
Dennis

DaveU · Joined: 16 Aug 2006 Posts: 167

I was told early on that the plane flys and lands best with the cg further back. I have not flown enough to say for sure, but I did fly a lot with 20# bag of pellets tied into the back of the bagage section for the first 20 hours. It is not necessary, but worked good.

I put the odessy 680 battery in the recommended spot and ran a power wire up to the starter selonoid. I used a master relay and it is located on the battery tray. I grounded the battery to the fuselage with the bottom left tab for the baggage rear panel. I used a #4 welding cable that was made up for me at a local auto/diesel electric shop.

Dave

taildrgfun · Joined: 16 May 2008 Posts: 26 Location: Nampa Idaho

I land in a lot of rough places and I like to keep the tailwheel off the ground as much as possible. When I built mine 3 1/2 yrs ago they said put the battery clear back by the tailwheel. I had it there for about 300 hrs and never did like the tail so heavy. I like the batttery as far forward as possible. Shorter lighter cables, better for weight and balance when I really load the camping stuff and better for nasty rough ground. :)

b1x4nqb · Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 213 Location: Orwigsburg, PA

Thanks guys for all your replies. It helps us all and especially myself as I'm mauling over the location currently.

Paul, PA

alan · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 116 Location: Baytown, TX

I put the battery in the standard location but made an access door in the starboard side of the fuselage so I wouldn't have to work so hard to get to it. I also put a stud for positive and negative on each side of the door so I could use a battery tender or 12V fuel transfer pump. A better way would have been to use a Piper power plug.

Alan

Dave Krall CFII SEL SES · Joined: 14 Mar 2007 Posts: 338 Location: Seattle WA

We mounted the battery in the standard place, and hinged the upper edge of the aft cargo wall to swing upward for servicing. A round Lexan window is riveted into the wall for quick visual inspections.

alan · Joined: 04 Feb 2005 Posts: 116 Location: Baytown, TX

Here is the battery access door I mentioned in an earlier post. The bolts on each side connect directly to the battery and are used for a battery tender and to power my fuel transfer pump.

Alan