EarthX has earned an FAA AML STC that will permit the installation of its FAA TSO’d 12V LiFePO4 lithium battery on a wide variety of single-engine Cessna, Piper, and Mooney aircraft, as well as the Aviat A-1.
According to company officials, benefits of the new battery include:
- More than 23 pounds lighter than an equivalent lead acid battery
- Increased cranking power
- Battery life span over six years
- Fully recharges in minutes
- Installation kit includes a battery management system that can alert you to anything outside the normal range.
The FAA TSO’d 12V LiFePO4 12V battery and STC retail for $699. The cost of the installation kit varies by aircraft model. Details are available on the EarthX website.
The single-engine Cessna models included on the initial AML STC include:
- 120/140
- 150, 150A, B, and C
- P172D
- 175, 175A, B, and C
- 177, 177A, B, and 177RG
- 180, 180A through K
- 182, 182A through Q
- 185, 185A through F, and A185E
The single-engine Piper models included on the initial AML STC include:
- PA-28-140, 150, 151, 160, 161, 180, 181
- PA-28-201T
- PA-28-235, and -236
- PA-28R-180, -200, -201, and -201T
- PA-28RT-201 and -201T
- PA-28S-160, -180
- PA-12, -18, -20, -22, -24, and -32
The single-engine Mooney models included on the initial AML STC include: the M20E, F, J, and K.
The single-engine Aviat included on the initial AML STC is the A-1.
For more information: EarthXBatteries.com
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I have an sbsj16 in a 180hp 172. Been going strong for about 7.5 years now, with at least one master switch left on overnight incident. I can’t justify the entry price of an earthx or see a huge advantage especially if cold weather charging can be an issue? With the engine upgrade, lighter weight is better for this 172 and I am close to original weight now with the sbsj16 battery and a skytec starter
I have been using an earth X now for the last 12 months in my cessna 170 and are blown away on its performance and weight . I never was charged $900 for a kit and the indication wire is an option. My indication wire is about 2.5 ft long and took about 4 mins to fit . . The battery is fitted to my firewall . Shock and vibration doesn’t seem to worry it . My concord batteries used to last 3.5 years at the most . They came with a STC already as part of the battery purchase . I haven’t had the issue of a trickle charge to keep the Earth X in a fully charged state . I went away for 4 months and was dreading what I would find trying to start the aircraft when I returned . No issues what so ever on starting . So impressed .
So, you are not using the TSO approved battery in your C170. You didn’t say which model.
The C170 is not on the approved aircraft list.
If you read the installation instructions, they do not approve having the battery forward of the firewall. They list a max operating environment of 65 degC, or 149 degF.
The accessory case/ firewall area on my Cessna 175B gets to 185 degF, and I have a blast tube to keep the alternator cool.
As an A&P , many GA aircraft actually need a heavy battery for W&B purposes. Routing the long fault wire would be a 4 hour labor charge and from what I’ve read, is simply a red LED that blinks ” somethings wrong ” and that usually means replacing the battery for more $$. I dont see any actual advantages.
I agree with your W&B comment. It’s interesting that all the TSO’d aircraft have the battery in the rear part of the airframe, away from the engine compartment heat.
BTW, for the Cessna 175B that I fly, in order to keep the CG within limits with a front seat passenger, I have to have 50 lb of ballast in the baggage compartment, besides the 24 lb of battery just behind the baggage compartment.
I already spent the money for the STC to convert from the stock Gill flooded cell battery in my P172D to the Concorde RG25XC AGM, some 12 1/2 years ago—that’s how long my first Concorde lasted. I just replace it with another RG25XC last week. I don’t think I can justify another $900 for the kit to convert to lithium, plus the $700 cost of the battery itself, plus the installation cost of having my mechanic do the installation. We’re talking about $2000 all said and done!
Lithium batteries have their place. I have them in my Class B motorhome, and they’re great for that purpose. But they have their limitations, too. For GA aircraft, the biggest one is that either their battery management system (BMS) must prevent charging below freezing, or they’ll be damaged if charged below freezing, or flying below freezing has to be restricted. Somehow the battery has to be warmed so that it’s above freezing when charging, which in my airplane and I suspect most others will be difficult in the winter. Unless the installation kit includes a heater, there’s no way to successfully heat a battery in the tail cone of my airplane. If that heater is electric, then that obviously impinges somewhat on the capacity of the battery.
For those who only fly in warmer weather, this may be a viable albeit expensive alternative to a standard flooded cell battery. But for most of us, I think the Concorde AGM is a better alternative, based on my personal experience.
The $900 TSO kit includes the battery . So, the install only required the BMS wire and indicator to be installed.
I’m surprised that you get 12 yrs from from the RG25XC. I have been getting 4-5 years from the last 3 . The battery fully charges to 13 volts [ with the v-reg. set to 14.2 volts]. When the battery can’t crank the cold engine it’s time to replace it.
A few comments vs the Concorde RG-25XC in my Cessna 175B;
– it is 18 lb lighter, 5.4 vs 23.5, [ equivalent to 3 gallons of 100LL, fuel capacity is 52 gal. ]
– similar CAA amps, 390 vs 350
– a lot lower amp-hour capacity, 15 vs 24 AH. [ reduced safety if the charging system fails ]
– the TSO kit is $900 vs $400 for the RG25XC. [ I’ve gotten 4-5 years life from the RG25XC ]
– it’s required to run a long wire to the panel for the battery management indicator.
All the approved installations appear to be for aircraft that do not have the battery forward of the firewall. [ maybe less tolerant of high temperatures …only 1 Cessna 172 approved ]