I have fitted the following:
1 x DEKA ETX15 Absorbed Glass Mat Technology Sealed & Maintenance Free Battery (Made in the US of A) which is fed by a Powermate Voltage Rectifier / Regulator (Aussie product but I bought it whilst in SA - see
www.powermate.com.au) instead of the standard Rotax unit. On the ground the battery gets connected up to a CTEK Battery Charger that trickle feeds the battery and keeps it "healthy".
The battery is apparently the same battery used in Harley Davidsons. CCA of 190 amps as opposed to the original battery's 120 CCA. It fits very nicely into the standard Solowings battery box. When looking for a replacement battery for the original "Made in China by a manufacturer that nobody has ever heard about " battery I found physical size to be the major frustration. I looked at Odyssey batteries - designed specifically for aircraft - but found them too large for the orginal battery position on my Aquilla. I would have had to make up a new bracket as well as the battery being quite a bit heavier than the original. My instructor's Safari had an Odyssey fitted to it but that trike has the battery bracket in a much more accessible position. Yuasa batteries are not bad but it would have meant a one for one type change out although they do also have a sealed maintenance free range.
So far the whole set up has worked like a bomb (no pun intended) with my 582 starting first time each time and it definitely feels as if the battery gives more of a "kick" than the original. The battery charger ensures that I have a fully charged battery everytime I fly. It has a very clever plug in / plug out attachment that allows you to simply connect the battery to the charger without having to sukkel with crocodile clips or removing the battery from the bracket. Anybody who has an Aquilla will know what a pain in the arse that process is especially if you have a GRS/BRS fitted.
I am not a "squiggly amp" specialist by any means but have always maintained that if you buy the best equipment that you can afford and look after it well, it looks after you. Goed koop is duur koop!
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