Hi Paul:


Visiting the TTC the other day, Dan showed us the new "Lithium Iron"
(... not ion) Battery he had installed,.....because it saved ~ 10 pounds from
the lead-acid battery.. FYI -  Here is a recent report from the LONG EZ
groups experiences with the Lithium Iron Battery

Apparently, a _special charging circuit is required_ for these battery
types.... To see what really happens when these batteries fail.....check out
PBS- NOVA; Search for a Super Battery: http:www.pbs.org video2365946487
 K Moore

WARNING ABOUT A BATTERY TYPE:

Sent to me by Doug Pitzer, written by member Burrall Sanders, Falcon, CO:

COZY: Lithium Iron Batteries will kill you!!

We have a Cozy MKIV in the shop that I am working on the wiring. The builder
installed an Aerovoltz Lithium Iron battery.  Yesterday, I heard a soft poof
and then a hiss coming from the battery, and within ten seconds the battery
was spewing a huge smoke plume and was melting the battery's case. We
scrambled to get the hanger door open and the plane pushed outside. While
the smoke decreased after about 3 minutes the heat continued. I decided I
could get in the back of the plane and cut the battery cables with a good
set of cable cutters.  So, I held my breath and climbed in and as quickly as
I could I cut the cables and tossed the battery out on the ground.

It was then I was able to get a video of the battery as it continued to self
destruct. The battery burned for at least ten minutes before it quit spewing
smoke, sparks and its internal parts.

https:vimeo.com  206299953

We have just finished installing a pair of these batteries in a Long-EZ and
within a few days of installation _one began showing signs of not holding a
charge and I noticed it was getting warm to the touch.
_I removed it and Aircraft Spruce promptly warranted the battery and sent us
a new one. The one that burned yesterday was showing similar signs of not
holding a charge and about an hour before it burned I noticed it was warm to
the touch. I had no idea at the time of the first battery failure how close
it was to the catastrophic results that we saw yesterday.
It is absolutely horrifying to think of that happening while airborne.
As fast as it escalated it would have filled the cockpit with that terrible
smoke and fumes in just a couple seconds. By the time I took the video
linked below, the smoke had tapered off considerably.

In my opinion no one in the aircraft would have survived had this happened
while in the air. No one should even consider having these batteries in the
aircraft with them.
One of the scariest things I have seen. Might as well have a wing come off,
the outcome is the same. I have added a link below to the video I took. Have
a look at the video, you'll be shocked.

Follow-up: "I have had a conversation with the owner of AEROVOLTZ, Steve
Johnson. He seems cordial, honest and sincere.
He had been briefed on my recent experience with his batteries and was aware
of my opinion. Frankly, he said nothing to change my mind.
He says the most likely cause of the fire is overcharging of the battery.
I accept that.
But, he says it could also be caused by completely discharging the battery
and then trying to charge it. Says if you completely discharge it such as
leaving the master on even once, the battery is ruined and you might as well
throw it away.

He told me he was aware of two fires occurring while in flight. Both he says
were caused by the on board charging systems. Both fires were in Kitfox
aircraft with Rotax engines and charging systems.

Both times the pilot was able to make an emergency off field landing and no
one got hurt. Both batteries were mounted on the engine side of the
firewall.

He told me that he designed a system for maintaining the batteries installed
by a prominent kit manufacturer. He says that they mounted them in the
engine compartment and installed a fireproof case around the battery that
would vent the smoke overboard in the event of a runaway.

He told me he knew that the batteries were a "smoke bomb" when they burned.
He says he makes a special charger for the batteries but, he also says it is
not required.

I also talked to Jim Irwin, owner of Aircraft Spruce and he says they are
considering what to do, and will take whatever action they feel appropriate.
So there you have it. The follow up on my post a few days ago which is
advice I gave to you, you can do what you want with it."

BeacKeith Moore

Dan used them before. He knows what he is doing.  I think if they die they
are dead forever.

Paul Lamar



Be very cautious with these batteries, some model aircraft friends have had
them explode.
Andrew Campbell.


On both links the message is: 'the site cannot be reached'.

http:www.pbs.org    video2365946487

https:vimeo.com    206299953"

Rolf Pfeiffer


Try again Rolf. I cleaned up the text a bit.

BTW  Everybody don't send HTML if you know what that is.
Convert to plain text.

Paul Lamar

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