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Concorde recently issued Technical Bulletin No. 10 “Parasitic Drain” in response to questions throughout the aviation community about the effect of parasitic drain on battery state of charge. A parasitic drain is an electrical load that takes power from the battery even when the Master Switch or Battery Switch is Off. Examples of loads that cause parasitic drain include clocks, lights, relays, current sensors and power monitoring circuits. If an aircraft is inactive for a length of time, depending on the magnitude of the load, the battery may be depleted within weeks or even days.

Skip Koss, Vice President of Marketing says, “When an aircraft is not in service, a parasitic drain will deplete the battery’s state of charge unless the drain is disconnected.” Mr. Koss explains, “I am concerned about the increasing number of aircraft affected by parasitic drain which can diminish emergency capacity reserves and compromise the safety of pilots and passengers.”

Parasitic loads are present in most modern day aircraft. They are generally low in amperage but because they are continuously present, if an aircraft is inactive for an extended period of time, they can deplete the battery’s capacity and cause the plates to sulfate. Sulfated plates make the battery harder to recharge and over time can lead to a battery that is no longer airworthy and ultimately, premature failure. One of the inherent dangers is that a battery without enough emergency power reserve can often still start the engine(s). A battery that is no longer airworthy can also cause an AOG event with unexpected expenditures for obtaining an urgent replacement, freight, installation and possibly costs for transportation back and forth to a hotel for overnight accommodations.

To preserve the life of your battery, Concorde recommends measuring the parasitic drain which can be easily accomplished using a standard digital multimeter (DMM) equipped with both 10 Amp and milliampere jacks for test leads. Details for this procedure and a formula to calculate the depletion rate can be found in Technical Bulletin No. 10 “Parasitic Drain” on the Literature, Manuals and Technical page of our website: www.concordebattery.com . In some aircraft, modifications can be made to reduce or eliminate the parasitic drain however, the airframe manufacturer should be contacted for information on this subject.

The best practice to protect an inactive aircraft battery from parasitic drain is to disconnect it, if possible!

Concorde Battery manufactures and has designed over 90 models for Original Equipment and direct replacement batteries for all types of aircraft. Certifications and approvals include Type Certified, TSO-C173 & FAA-PMA parts. Concorde’s recombinant gas RG® Series has been proven and adopted for use on military and commercial aircraft worldwide since 1987. Concorde manufactures to ISO 9001:2000 + AS9100B strict quality standards.

For more information about this release please contact Technical Support at Concorde Battery. Call 626-813-1234 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Contact: Skip Koss
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Telephone: 626-813-1234 Ext. 231


WEST COVINA, CA – August 24, 2009 - The FAA has just made changing a battery a little simpler for many aircraft owners. FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 23-27, issued in May 2009, allows owners with aircraft Type-Certified before 1980, and meeting certain criteria, to simply replace the current battery on the TC or STC, with an FAA-PMA Concorde battery similar in form, fit and function.

Why is this important? It’s significant because it means, even in the absence of an STC or PMA, there need only be a log book entry to install on many aircraft, whether out of production or still being manufactured today. “These guidelines will help owners avoid having to obtain field approval for like substitutions on subsequent aircraft.”

Applicability:

• Small aircraft type certified before January 1, 1980
• Maximum certificated weight of 12,500 pounds or less
• Fixed wing, un-pressurized, reciprocating engine or sailplane
• “Follow-on Type Certificate (TC) Models of the same aircraft, or a derivative thereof, which may be assigned a later TC date, also meet this criteria.”
  
  Advisory Circular 23-27 is a living document and sections may be added to the Appendices as additional data is gathered. The following information is contained in AC23-27:
  
  Batteries (Excerpt – Appendix 1 “Parts Substitutions”):
  “If one type of series 35 battery (e.g. a Gill 35) is approved as original equipment or a PMA part, and another type of series 35 battery (e.g. a CONCORDE 35) is PMA approved for some aircraft models but not your model aircraft, you may install the alternate type of series 35 battery and document the installation with only a logbook entry.”
  
  “As long as the batteries are the same weight, within plus or minus one pound, and have such similar physical characteristics as to enable the use of the same securing or attaching devices, mechanisms, or containers.”
  
  AC 23-27 is directly accessed on the FAA website via this address:
  
  http://www.faa.gov
  
  Search for Advisory Circular AC23-27
  
  FAA Website
  

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Concorde Battery Announces the Release of New BC-5000 Battery Capacity Tester

WEST COVINA, CA – March 30, 2009 – Concorde Battery Corporation, manufacturer of Lead Acid Batteries and Lithium Ion Batteries and Accessories for original equipment and replacement parts, introduces the new BC-5000 Battery Capacity Tester (Concorde P/N 4163). Loaded with failsafe features and designed for operator safety, BC-5000 Battery Capacity Tester has been market tested and approved for use by various aviation maintenance technician groups and private pilots as important equipment for any maintenance facility – commercial, military, and civilian.

The BC-5000 is made to accurately and reliably test airworthiness and capacity for 12 Volt and 24 Volt Lead Acid Aircraft Batteries. Powered by the individual battery on test the BC-5000 is portable. Cables and quick disconnect are standard. The metal case is 12”L x 9”W x 10”H with an insulated handle attached to the top. Weighs 10 LBS. Appropriate for field testing or shop operations, BC-5000 accommodates a range of batteries with capacities from 10 – 50 AH. With maximum battery input voltage at 28.0 VDC and minimum battery input voltage of 9.0 VDC for 12 volt batteries EPV (End Point Voltage) is set at 10VDC, and 20VDC for 24 volt batteries. Constant current loads adjustable in 1A steps (+/-0.5 ADC) incorporates automatic over temperature protection. Included on the BC-5000 is a new audio system signaling when the capacity test is complete. Capacity tests are based on IEC (International Electrochemical Commission) standards and FAA TSO-C173.

Testing operations start as the BC-5000 Capacity Tester automatically selects the correct voltage. The adjustment for the C1 (Ah) amperage test rates is done by activating the up / down button system. After setting, the built in software will flash battery C1 amperage rate on the LCD readout. Starting the test initiates the cooling fan motor with the LCD displaying the C1 rate in percentage, battery voltage, and amperage for the battery on test. Upon reaching the EPV the BC-5000 test operation will cease, stopping the cooling fan and with an audible system, and signals test result completion. Minimum “Passing” airworthiness is based upon a battery capacity of 85% of its C1 rating. “Failing” the capacity test is a battery with less than 85% of its C1 rating.

"The BC-5000 Battery Capacity Tester combines Concorde’s battery technology with the need for precision testing out in the field," said Skip Koss, Vice President, Marketing, Concorde Battery Corporation. "With this equipment, users can find the exact battery capacity, faster than ever.” Mr. Koss adds, “Battery Airworthiness is crucial to aircraft operation and safety. All Concorde Batteries are designed to operate as essential power if the generator system fails in flight, provided the battery is airworthy as installed. Aircraft are not certified with a dead battery or one that does not have sufficient capacity for essential power."

Concorde Battery Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of specialty lead acid batteries and lithium ion aircraft batteries located in West Covina, CA. Concorde has over 25 years of experience in the manufacture of aircraft batteries for both military applications and commercial Type Certified aircraft. Concorde is the largest supplier of Original Equipment lead acid aircraft batteries to the majority of manufacturers of rotorcraft, corporate, and general aviation fixed wing aircraft. Concorde is a manufacturer of FAA-PMA, Type Certified, & TSO-C173 approved original & replacement parts for a wide variety of aircraft and operates under ISO 9001:2000 + AS9100B standards.

BC-5000 Product Page

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Concorde Battery Corporation aircraft battery part number RG-400E/13 has received Technical Standard Order C173 (TSO-C173) authorization. The RG-400E/13 is the latest Concorde Battery recently TSO approved.

RG-400E/13 is a Concorde® Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) main battery used for starting and backup of DC power bus systems. RG-400E/13 is a direct replacement in form, fit and function for an equivalent nickel cadmium model.

RG® Series batteries are the original AGM battery designed for the United States Military. Replenishment of water or electrolyte is never required, providing maintenance free operation in a nonspillable design that operates upright, on its side or end. RG- 400E/13 delivers reliable power and long life, improves aircraft readiness; RG® Series batteries are pre-tested & fully charged in the factory, ship Hazmat Exempt, and are ready to install.

Concorde batteries are certified for installation on more than one thousand aircraft models through Type Certification, 62 STC’s and multiple PMA’s. Concorde is the world leader in aircraft battery technology with over 90 VRLA model part numbers. Recently Concorde was selected by the US Navy to provide an advanced prototype lithium ion battery for the new CH-53K Helicopter. Concorde is the largest supplier of Original Equipment VRLA Batteries with installations on Agusta, American Champion, American Eurocopter, Aviat, Bell, Bombardier / Learjet, Cessna, Cirrus, Dassault, Diamond, Enstrom, Erickson Air Crane, Extra, Found Aircraft Canada, Inc., Gippsland, Grobe, Gulfstream, Hawker Beechcraft, JetPROP, Liberty, Lockheed Martin, Maule, Mooney, Northrop Grumman, Piaggio, Pilatus, Piper Aircraft, Robinson Helicopter, Scaled Composites, Schweizer, Sherpa Aircraft, Sikorsky, Slingsby Aviation, Socata and Zlin.

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Contact: John Timmons,
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Telephone: 626-813-1234, Ext. 250
November 28, 2006

CONCORDE BATTERY CORPORATION LITHIUM-ION AIRCRAFT BATTERY SELECTED FOR US NAVY’S CH-53K HEAVY LIFT HELICOPTER

WEST COVINA, CA – Concorde Battery Corporation has been selected by the U. S. Navy to provide an advanced prototype lithium-ion battery for the new CH-53K Helicopter.

The battery to be developed will be a high discharge rate battery designed for APU start and emergency power. Initial prototype batteries will be tested by the Navy for electrical performance, safety, and abuse tolerance. Following the initial test program, additional samples for qualification testing will be required.

John Timmons, Vice President of Engineering for Concorde Battery states, “Concorde lithium-ion batteries for aircraft are based on the safest chemistry so far developed for lithium-ion technology, featuring a cathode material of lithium iron phosphate which precludes oxygen generation. Oxygen generation is one of the main contributors to the fire hazard in lithium-ion batteries.

The lithium-ion battery for the CH-53K will be part of an integrated design with the control software and electronics of the aircraft system. Redundant safety systems built into the helicopter as well as into the battery are required to control the lithium-ion battery. The protection systems and monitoring of the battery will provide safe reliable power for the next generation of CH-53 helicopters.”

The U.S. Navy has chosen Concorde’s lithium-ion battery technology for the CH-53K Helicopter for its high energy density, low maintenance, ease of use, and low self-discharge. CH-53K is a new heavy lift helicopter, part of the Navy’s Heavy Lift Replacement (HLR) program. New CH-53K helicopters are scheduled to begin replacing the aging fleet of CH-53E Super Stallion Helicopters with initial flight tests scheduled in 2011, reaching initial operating capability by 2015.

Concorde Battery Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of specialty lead acid batteries and lithium-ion aircraft batteries located in West Covina, CA. Concorde has over 25 years of experience in the manufacture of aircraft batteries for both military applications and commercial Type Certified aircraft. Concorde is the largest supplier of Original Equipment lead acid aircraft batteries to over 37 manufacturers of rotorcraft, corporate, and general aviation fixed wing aircraft. Concorde is an FAA-PMA approved manufacturer of replacement parts for a wide variety of type certified aircraft with manufacturing under AS 9100 REV. B:2004 and ISO 9001:2000 standards.


See more about Concorde's Lithium Ion Batteries: http://www.concordebattery.com/lion.php

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