New battery

 I finally decided to take the plunge and buy a Lithium battery.

The best and safest choice is an EarthX, which is built to aviation standards and has good self protection.

The model to go for is the ETX900. It has the required amp hours in case of Alternator failure with the UL engine the battery is then the only thing providing a spark to the engine (through the coils), so it must have a decent capacity to enable you to get back on the ground in 20 mins or so before the voltage drops too low.

The price is a bit eye watering but the weight savings are great. Roughly £100 per kg saved! The old battery was 7kg and the new one is just 2.2kg.

Just as well I changed my battery as the old one was weeping. See pics below.

The old battery was the one I bought in Toronto, Canada in July of 2017 so it has served me well and was due for replacement anyway.

I noticed that the new battery holds its' charge much better when the engine is at idle - when coming back into the circuit and setting up for landing.

The dimensions were only slightly different in one axis to the old battery so I took up the space with blue foam.

Old battery - located under the baggage tray in a special recess I made.

Weeping from the old battery, just as well I changed it.

New battery in place with the blue foam as spacers so it doesn't move about
with the cover on.