Things You Need to Know About Aircraft Battery Maintenance

The aircraft battery is an essential component of aircraft as it acts as a primary source of power for most of the aircraft’s electrical needs, including cabin lighting, heating, air conditioning, etc. More significantly however, the aircraft needs a stable functioning battery because it will act as one of the last lines of defense in the case of an emergency.

Since the aircraft battery serves such an important role, it’s vital that it receives regular maintenance check ups. For a basic outline on aircraft battery maintenance, see below. We will be using the Ni-Cad battery as an example.

Periodical Checkups

When it comes to the Ni-Cad battery, they should receive check ups based on the flight time of the aircraft start generator/(discharge) recharge cycle and age of the battery. The maintenance checkup is based upon the aircraft’s flight profile as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations. These check ups will typically consist of a virtual inspection of the overall internal and external condition of the battery as well as a voltage check. When doing this, you should be on the lookout for excessive voltage differences (0.25 volts or more) between cells.

Disposal

Ni-Cad batteries, when stored, should be in a discharged state. This means that it should be at zero detectable volts. In the aviation industry, this is referred to as “strapped off.” Once the battery is strapped off, it can be safely stored in a dry cool environment for long periods of time. And as usual, always follow any additional instructions provided by the manufacturer.


Share


Recent Twitter Posts