Story ID: 383
Teledyne Battery Sees Sealed Battery Future
By: Matt Thurber
Caption: The Redlands, Calif., battery manufacturer designs and builds all of its products. 
Word Count: 650
Teledyne Battery Products is debuting a new interactive kiosk filled with battery training material and product presentations at its NBAA 2016 exhibit (Booth 1217). The Redlands, Calif.- based battery manufacturer still makes traditional Gill dry-charged batteries used mostly in smaller aircraft, but is focusing increasingly on its line of Gill LT low-maintenance valve-regulated sealed batteries. “That’s the direction the business is going; it’s a better performing battery,” said Teledyne Battery general manager Armando Chacon.

While Teledyne Battery doesn’t sell to end-users, Chacon finds that exhibiting at trade shows such as the NBAA Convention helps the company receive feedback from aircraft operators. “We want to know how to get better and what we can improve upon,” he said. “We want them to approach us and give us some honest feedback.”

The company has been making Gill lead-acid batteries since 1920, and Chacon said Teledyne Battery will continue making its dry-charged batteries as long as there is demand. These batteries are shipped un-activated. The customer then has to add electrolyte to the battery and charge it properly. Dry-charged batteries require frequent maintenance, primarily checking electrolyte and charging levels.

Sealed lead-acid batteries are already charged at the factory and ready for installation in the aircraft without further charging or servicing. Not only are sealed batteries easier to put into service, but Teledyne’s Gill LT 7000-series batteries do not require any maintenance until a capacity check at 1,800 hours or 18 months, whichever comes first. This helps reduce downtime, Chacon explained. “When the aircraft is on the ground, it’s not generating revenue.”

The 7000 series batteries feature high IPP and IPR ratings, which are measurements of starting power and capacity after engine starting, according to Chacon. “The 7000 series rates much higher than the competition for a similar footprint [battery],” he said. This is especially useful for short flight durations, where the battery needs to be recharged in a short period of time. “Our batteries have that higher IPR so you will be able to restart and do short hops.”

The Gill LT sealed batteries have a two-year, 1,200-hour warranty. While sealed batteries cost more than dry-charged batteries, the lower maintenance costs can offset that higher price. “When you factor in the lack of maintenance required for the 7000,” he said, “I believe you’re getting a better value.”

Teledyne Battery has been shifting many of its business jet, helicopter and military batteries over to the 7000 series, and continually adding more aircraft models to the STC approvals for the sealed batteries. The company works with OEMs such as Embraer, Bell, Cessna and others, both for forward-fit and retrofit applications. In some cases, the Gill LT replaces a NiCad battery, which not only saves money in the cost of the battery but also greatly reduces maintenance effort and expense. “A NiCad battery is very expensive and requires a lot of difficult maintenance, and it’s somewhat of a messy operation,” he said. “You have to have a NiCad shop to work on those.”

A recent addition to the Gill LT line is the TSO’d 7638-44T for retrofit into a variety of Citation jets. The battery includes an internal heat-measurement thermistor, and it is eligible for installation on the Citation models 500, 501, 550, 551, S550, 560/560XL, 650, 680 and 750. “We’re working on a daily basis to expand the product line with more STCs for retrofits,” said Chacon.

Teledyne Battery also offers chargers for all of its batteries, both for battery maintenance (trickle charging when not flying) and for recovering a battery from a deep discharge. “That’s a unique feature of the 7000 series,” he said. “If it’s deeply discharged, we have the equipment and we provide the training to maintain our batteries to properly bring them back to life. We want our customers to get the full life of the battery.”