UNIVERSITY OF

PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA

SUBJECT CODE: AMT 2114

SUBJECT DESCRIPTION: AIRCRAFT ELECTRICAL AND IGNITION SYSTEM
NAME: _ Luigi L. Obiña_____________________________________

SECTION: 5821______________________________________

ACTIVITY 1 FOR MIDTERM:

Essay: What kind of maintenance practices would you recommend to maintain good
quality standards of aircraft battery?

Regular check: Suppose the voltage check from the periodical check shows a great disparity in
cell voltages, but the battery looks OK visually. The battery should be removed from the aircraft
and put on a constant current top charge at the C/10 rate until all the cells have reached at least
1.55V each, and for the time specified in the maintenance instructions. This is when we adjust
the electrolyte in each cell by adding distilled water as required. (CK alert: C/10 means 10 times
the rated battery capacity which is stated on the battery data plate.)

During this part of the charge cycle, cell voltages may peak and then slowly start to drop. This is
an indication of possible cell internal gas barrier damage. Additionally, no cell should rise above
1.75V. This may indicate a dry cell (very low electrolyte level). This maintenance charging is
done with the vent caps loosened or open. As the cells build up pressure they can vent and
spray electrolyte. Also, a clogged vent might increase the pressure in the cell, possibly
damaging it. With the caps loose or off, it makes it easier to adjust the water level before the
end of the top charge cycle while the charge current is still on. This is also the time to check and
clean the vents in the caps. As soon as we have “watered” our cells and have completed the top
charge, we reinstall the caps because carbon dioxide dissolved from the outside air carbonates
the cells and can degrade the battery.

Now that the battery is fully charged and the electrolyte adjusted, it’s time to perform the
capacity check to determine if the battery meets the minimum capacity requirements stated in
its component maintenance manual. The minimum capacity can vary and is normally from 85 to
100 percent of the nameplate rating. The capacity check consists of a constant current
discharge at the one-hour rate (amp/hour rating of the battery) to 1.00V per cell. We record the
time the first cell reaches 1.00V. This time must be equal to or greater than 51 minutes for 85-
percent minimum capacity, or 60 minutes for 100-percent capacity. If the battery passes the
capacity check, it should be allowed to cool back to room temperature and then be recharged in
accordance with the component maintenance manual. The recharge consists of a main charge
followed by a top charge. If the battery fails the capacity check, then it should be deep cycled as
performed during the general overhaul.

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UNIVERSITY OF
PERPETUAL HELP
SYSTEM DALTA

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