Noco Genius G3500 Smart Battery Charger

[unregistered]

Anyone use one of these (from Canadian Tire) on a 12V Gill battery (like the one in my 172)?

Would like to pick one up instead of shelling out $200 for a Battery Minder.

Any pros/cons?

While I'm on the topic ... why does Aircraft Spruce sell so many chargers that are "not for aviation use"?

Cheers!

[Colonel Sanders]

I got one of the 12/24V G7200's and it works very well,
both for 12 and 24V batteries of different technologies.

You can leave it on - it won't hurt the battery. Also has
a "cold" mode for another volt or so.
http://www.geniuschargers.com/G7200

For a 12V aircraft 25/35ah battery, all you need is this:
http://www.geniuschargers.com/G1100 ($54)

If you're cheap, $38 will get you this instead:
http://www.geniuschargers.com/G750
it's actually all you need to maintain your 12V 25/35ah
battery.

why does Aircraft Spruce sell so many chargers that are "not for aviation use"?

A volt is a volt. When the engine is running in your
aircraft, you can easily see 14.5VDC across the terminals
of your battery, coming from your alternator, controlled
by the external voltage regulator.

An aviation battery which is FAA-PMA approved that can
be installed without an STC modifying the aircraft electrical
system, MUST be able to tolerate this.

As long as the battery charger does not exceed 14.5V
you will not hurt the battery. Using the "cold" mode
would probably not be a good idea, for example.

PS Please be sure to not run your lead-acid battery dry!
Keep the level above the plates! Add only distilled water.

[unregistered]

That's great info ... thanks very much for that.

[Colonel Sanders]

Various people here are sure to tear me a new one,
but I think a $38 G750 from CT will maintain your
G25 lead-acid battery just fine.

Let's look at the technical specs:



Charging voltage: 14.4VDC - perfect.
Charging current: 3/4 amp. All you need to maintain.
Backdraw: less than 5mA - nice.

Look at the types/chemistries/capacity above.

If you want your battery to last a long time, don't
let it go flat, and don't let it go dry. It's that simple.

[unregistered]

Perfect, thanks again.

I appreciate you taking the time to post all that. I wasted most of the morning reading about this stuff, and like most things, there were opinions all across the board. I couldn't help but feel it wasn't that complicated to keep a 172's 12V battery charged.

You've helped a lot.

All the best.

[Colonel Sanders]

People like to make simple things complicated. I
have observed this phenomena for many decades,
and I am unsure if they are simply honestly muddled
in the brain, or intentionally maliciously obfuscating
simple subjects to make what they do, seem far more
mysterious than it really is.

Oh dear, I think I split an infinitive. Oh well, if was
good enough for Star Trek, good enough for me.