---------------------------------------------------------- AeroElectric-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 08/04/09: 16 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:42 AM - Worlds first (David M.) 2. 06:59 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? () 3. 07:41 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 4. 07:46 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 5. 09:18 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Bob Collins) 6. 09:50 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 7. 09:58 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Brooke Wolf) 8. 10:09 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Bill Mauledriver Watson) 9. 10:15 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (Bill Mauledriver Watson) 10. 10:19 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? () 11. 11:54 AM - Re: Time for a new PC 680 ? (paul wilson) 12. 12:45 PM - Com antenna (Mike Pienaar) 13. 01:05 PM - Re: Com antenna (Ralph E. Capen) 14. 01:25 PM - Re: Com antenna (Robert L. Nuckolls, III) 15. 01:49 PM - Re: Com antenna (Dj Merrill) 16. 02:25 PM - Re: Worlds first (Richard Girard) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:42:33 AM PST US From: "David M." Subject: AeroElectric-List: Worlds first ROFL! At my home airport a regional airline hit a fish on short final.No one would believe the pilot until they found the fish on the runway. An ospray has a nest near by and was returning with the fish when was startled by the aircraft and dropped the fish. Dick ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:59:47 AM PST US Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? From: Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems to do the same thing. From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Byron Janzen Sent: Monday, August 03, 2009 2:15 PM Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? I would replace it, but if you have a magneto, you could probably get by. I had one of these in my motorcycle for 6 years before it needed replacing. IIRC, Mr. Nuckolls recommends changing every two years, but this may be for dual electronic ignition aircraft. On Mon, Aug 3, 2009 at 9:52 AM, thomas sargent wrote: I have a PC-680 that I bought 2 or 3 years ago. I used it to test my electrical system while I was wiring the plane. I've recharged it with a motorcycle battery charger. It spent 99% of it's time doing nothing. Never had much of a demand place on it. Still seems to hold a charge well. My engine start is going to be in September, probably. Should I replace this battery before I fly? It would seem prudent, though I note they've gone up in price about 30% since I bought this one. -- Tom Sargent ist" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List tp://forums.matronics.com _blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:41:23 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? At 11:52 AM 8/3/2009, you wrote: >I have a PC-680 that I bought 2 or 3 years ago. >I used it to test my electrical system while I >was wiring the plane. I've recharged it with a >motorcycle battery charger. It spent 99% of >it's time doing nothing. Never had much of a >demand place on it. Still seems to hold a >charge well. My engine start is going to be in September, probably. > >Should I replace this battery before I fly? It >would seem prudent, though I note they've gone >up in price about 30% since I bought this one. You are now squarely facing the question that will confront you for the entire time that you own this airplane. What are YOUR conditions for continued airworthiness? What are YOUR plans for monitoring battery suitability to task? The decision to fly or replace the battery today is no different than the decisions to be made in years hence. Even if it starts the engine you need to know more. Hook a car headlamp and voltmeter to your fully charged battery and monitor the time to take the battery down to 10.5 volts. Is that enough time to give you confidence in this battery's performance for ANY flight? There are thousands of worry-words exchanged on the 'net every day about, "should I our shouldn't I replace this battery?" Lord Kelvin was credited with saying . . . "When you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind." So while preparing for first flight, I'll suggest it is prudent to also prepare for responsible and confident operation of your airplane. All the worry- words exchanged without the benefit of data are essentially useless. Figure out a practical way to "get the numbers". Then you can tell US whether or not the battery needs replacing. Bob . . . --------------------------------------- ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) --------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 07:46:53 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: >Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up >fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super >reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of >marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems to >do the same thing. Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you have? Know that one of the least expensive devices I've purchased from Walmart was the Schumacher 1562 series devices for under $20 and is one of the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no longer any excuse for doing it right. Bob . . . --------------------------------------- ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) --------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 09:18:42 AM PST US From: "Bob Collins" Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? I need this clarified. HE asks if he needs one of those hyped up chargers. The response is "yes yes yes" but then it sounds like the answer is "no no no"... That the Walmart charger is good enough. Do I have that right? -----Original Message----- From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Robert L. Nuckolls, III Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 9:46 AM Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? --> At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: >Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up >fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super >reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of >marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems to do >the same thing. Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you have? Know that one of the least expensive devices I've purchased from Walmart was the Schumacher 1562 series devices for under $20 and is one of the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no longer any excuse for doing it right. Bob . . . --------------------------------------- ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) --------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 6 _____________________________________ Time: 09:50:00 AM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? At 09:45 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: > > >At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: >>Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped >>up fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, >>super reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a >>bunch of marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job >>that seems to do the same thing. > > Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you > have? Know that one of the least expensive devices > I've purchased from Walmart was one of the Schumacher > 1562 series device for under $20 and is one of > the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no > longer any excuse for NOT doing it right. Got it right this time . . . Bob . . . --------------------------------------- ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) --------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 7 _____________________________________ Time: 09:58:02 AM PST US From: Brooke Wolf Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? I think Bob is saying, "There is no longer an excuse for NOT doing it right". Buy the Walmart charger. Brooke On Aug 4, 2009, at 12:15 PM, Bob Collins wrote: > > > > I need this clarified. HE asks if he needs one of those hyped up > chargers. > The response is "yes yes yes" but then it sounds like the answer is > "no no > no"... That the Walmart charger is good enough. > > Do I have that right? > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of > Robert L. > Nuckolls, III > Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 9:46 AM > To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? > > --> > > At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: >> Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up >> fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super >> reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of >> marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems >> to do >> the same thing. > > Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you > have? Know that one of the least expensive devices > I've purchased from Walmart was the Schumacher > 1562 series devices for under $20 and is one of > the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no > longer any excuse for doing it right. > > > Bob . . . > > --------------------------------------- > ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) > ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) > ( appearance of being right . . . ) > ( ) > ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) > --------------------------------------- > > ________________________________ Message 8 _____________________________________ Time: 10:09:24 AM PST US From: Bill Mauledriver Watson Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? ...since I'm looking through the archives right now, I'll take a crack at it... Yes, you do want and need a good 'smart' charger. A good smart charger can be had a good price where ever stuff is sold, like Walmart. But presumably there's junk out there too. And perhaps more importantly, some smart chargers that are better than others. So I'm going smart shopping.... I believe Bob has documented the specific performance we should look for and I remember a graph of a good performing charger. I'm looking for it now. Bob Collins wrote: > > I need this clarified. HE asks if he needs one of those hyped up chargers. > The response is "yes yes yes" but then it sounds like the answer is "no no > no"... That the Walmart charger is good enough. > > Do I have that right? > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Robert L. > Nuckolls, III > Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 9:46 AM > To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? > > --> > > At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: > >> Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up >> fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super >> reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of >> marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems to do >> the same thing. >> > > Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you > have? Know that one of the least expensive devices > I've purchased from Walmart was the Schumacher > 1562 series devices for under $20 and is one of > the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no > longer any excuse for doing it right. > > > Bob . . . > > --------------------------------------- > ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) > ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) > ( appearance of being right . . . ) > ( ) > ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) > --------------------------------------- > > > ________________________________ Message 9 _____________________________________ Time: 10:15:01 AM PST US From: Bill Mauledriver Watson Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? Here's a link with several embedded links on subject http://www.aeroelectric.com/articles/Batteries/Multiple_Battery_Myths_A.pdf here's the chart: http://tinyurl.com/553kmu Bob Collins wrote: > > I need this clarified. HE asks if he needs one of those hyped up chargers. > The response is "yes yes yes" but then it sounds like the answer is "no no > no"... That the Walmart charger is good enough. > > Do I have that right? > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Robert L. > Nuckolls, III > Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 9:46 AM > To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com > Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? > > --> > > At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: > >> Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up >> fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super >> reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of >> marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems to do >> the same thing. >> > > Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you > have? Know that one of the least expensive devices > I've purchased from Walmart was the Schumacher > 1562 series devices for under $20 and is one of > the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no > longer any excuse for doing it right. > > > Bob . . . > > --------------------------------------- > ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) > ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) > ( appearance of being right . . . ) > ( ) > ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) > --------------------------------------- > > > ________________________________ Message 10 ____________________________________ Time: 10:19:57 AM PST US Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? From: Thanks Bob, Yup, this one looks like mine. Schumacher SEM-1562A 1.5 Amp Slow Charge Battery Companion $25 - $30 on Amazon. Glenn -----Original Message----- From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Robert L. Nuckolls, III Sent: Tuesday, August 04, 2009 10:46 AM Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? At 08:55 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: >Speaking of charging the 680. Do I really need one of those hyped up >fancy chargers all the dealers sell for double deep-reduction, super >reserve, cranks like a wild monkey charging? Sounds like a bunch of >marketing to get to 13.2 volts. I've got a Walmart job that seems to >do the same thing. Yes, YES, YEEEESS! What "walmart" device do you have? Know that one of the least expensive devices I've purchased from Walmart was the Schumacher 1562 series devices for under $20 and is one of the smartest chargers you can buy. There is no longer any excuse for doing it right. Bob . . . --------------------------------------- ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) --------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 11 ____________________________________ Time: 11:54:33 AM PST US From: paul wilson Subject: RE: AeroElectric-List: Time for a new PC 680 ? At 11:16 AM 8/4/2009, you wrote: > >Thanks Bob, > >Yup, this one looks like mine. Schumacher SEM-1562A 1.5 Amp Slow Charge >Battery Companion > >$25 - $30 on Amazon. > >Glenn ========== And $18.xx at any Walmart with no shipping. BTW, don't mislead the newbes. The subject is a "battery maintainer" not a smart charger. PW ________________________________ Message 12 ____________________________________ Time: 12:45:57 PM PST US From: "Mike Pienaar" Subject: AeroElectric-List: Com antenna Hi All, If I have more than one com radio do I need an antenna for each and if yes how close to each other can I put the antennas. This will be in a composite aircraft and the antennas will hopefully be in the vertical stabilizer Thanks Mike ________________________________ Message 13 ____________________________________ Time: 01:05:35 PM PST US From: "Ralph E. Capen" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Com antenna There are a couple of switch devices that allow you to do this. However, I would use two antennas with two radios - check the archives for the distance requirements and a discussion of this topic. I have two radios - and two antennas - one on top and the other on the bottom. -----Original Message----- >From: Mike Pienaar >Sent: Aug 4, 2009 3:43 PM >To: aeroelectric-list@matronics.com >Subject: AeroElectric-List: Com antenna > >Hi All, > >If I have more than one com radio do I need an antenna for each and if yes how close to each other can I put the antennas. This will be in a composite aircraft and the antennas will hopefully be in the vertical stabilizer > >Thanks > >Mike ________________________________ Message 14 ____________________________________ Time: 01:25:27 PM PST US From: "Robert L. Nuckolls, III" Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Com antenna At 02:43 PM 8/4/2009, you wrote: >Hi All, > >If I have more than one com radio do I need an antenna for each and >if yes how close to each other can I put the antennas. This will be >in a composite aircraft and the antennas will hopefully be in the >vertical stabilizer Yes, two antennas are called for with dual comm transceivers. The antenna sharing "switches" for comm transceivers are problematic. You'll need to separate the antennas. How about one in the vertical fin and the other on the belly? Bob . . . --------------------------------------- ( . . . a long habit of not thinking ) ( a thing wrong, gives it a superficial ) ( appearance of being right . . . ) ( ) ( -Thomas Paine 1776- ) --------------------------------------- ________________________________ Message 15 ____________________________________ Time: 01:49:24 PM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Com antenna From: Dj Merrill > There are a couple of switch devices that allow you to do this. I have a Narco automatic antenna switching device that I'd be happy to sell for $25 plus shipping. Please contact me off list if anyone is interested. -Dj do not archive -- Dj Merrill - N1JOV Glastar Sportsman 2+2 Builder #7118 N421DJ http://deej.net/sportsman/ "Many things that are unexplainable happen during the construction of an airplane." --Dave Prizio, 30 Aug 2005 ________________________________ Message 16 ____________________________________ Time: 02:25:56 PM PST US Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Worlds first From: Richard Girard I'll bet you that pilot wanted to drop a brown trout of his own when he saw that fish hit his airplane. Rick Girard do not archive On Tue, Aug 4, 2009 at 7:35 AM, David M. wrote: > ROFL! > > > At my home airport a regional airline hit a fish on short final.No one > would believe the pilot until they found the fish on the runway. > An ospray has a nest near by and was returning with the fish when was > startled by the aircraft and dropped the fish. > > Dick > > * > > * > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message aeroelectric-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/AeroElectric-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/aeroelectric-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/aeroelectric-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.