The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Hi, owned my plane for 22 years now and have gone through a few batteries. The Gill ones I found didn't last too long. The Concorde one I have now has died after a long life. I was going to get another one but they are $380-450 here in Canada. Anyone have the Odyssey J16? I know its a little smaller and lighter but I'm sure I could make a shim for it in the battery box. It's a sealed unit which is nice so no worries about spillage.

Let me know if there are any other ones I should look at. I have a B&C starter which likes it's cranking amps as well!

Steve

You wont go wrong with the Odyssey- as advertised. Heard lots of positive things (and Prof John C will be on shortly) and put one in my other plane with a 0-200 and B&C light weight starter, really spins the prop well - you'll be surprised and its great to save the weight - surprising how much energy in such a small package. Some down here question is it "major or minor" alteration - usual difference in opinion amongst the various FAA FSDOs. I consulted with Prof John C and used his verbiage covering all the reference regs - since I'm my own IA it's just a logbook entry. FWIW

I have an Odyssey in mine and it's been great. They sell brackets that you can install inside your existing battery box to ensure a good fit. I also left the lid off the battery box to save a smidge of weight. Since these are sealed batteries, you no longer need a lid.

One thing I discovered afterwards is that the Odyssey will not meet the requirements to install a Surefly electronic ignition should you ever decide to replace your standard magneto. The Odyssey doesn't have enough overall capacity to meet the STC requirement. If you never intend on using the Surefly, then it's not anything to worry about.

Thanks

My IA put a POWERSAFE DRY CELL BATTERY SBS J-16 in the plane 11 years ago.
Little lighter and I like that it’s a dry cell. I did just have to replace it last month, but 11 years isn’t bad in my book. Spruce has them for $170 plus shipping down here.

Thanks guys. Odyssey J16 it is. Now I'm also thinking about a Plane Power alternator. Now the plane and the wallet will get lighter.

The alternator conversion is next on my wish list, have to sneak that one by the watcher of the VISA bills