WANTED TO BUY: SBS8 OR PC310 BATTERY ASAP

[JGray]

Hi guys,

The battery on my 2012 CTLS finally gave up the ghost after running strong for 10 years. I have searched online and it appears everyone is out of stock on these batteries. Does anyone happen to have a new one they would sell me? 

Thanks in advance,

Jon

[BravoFoxtrot]

This site says they will ship within 24hrs. Doesn't specify what their inventory is.

Odyssey Battery PC310 Extreme Powersport Battery (viciousoffroad.com)

[JGray]

Thanks Bravo foxtrot, checked and they are out of stock. Appreciate the lead anyhow. 

[Tom Baker]

Yep, a google search for "Odyssey PC-310 replacement" shows a few places that show it in stock. There is an Auto Zone about 25 miles from that shows they have one in stock. I sent a customer there last summer for one, and they in fact did have one, at least at that time.

[Tom Baker]

The other option is get a MRA and install a EarthX battery with box. I know several have went this route. I have a CTLS in the shop with the large battery option, and they have quit making that battery all together, I had to switch to a different Odyssey battery and make shims for the box to make it work, with MRA of course.

[JGray]

Thanks Tom, if I have to go that route (with a different brand) I will, I'd just like to stick with the SBS8/PC310 considering the life I got out of the first one. Many thanks for the leads. 

[BravoFoxtrot]

Tom, the 2012 CT you have for sale says it has "the optional larger battery". What battery is this and did it require authorization from FDUSA?

OPPS! I see you already answered this.

[John Vance]

My 2010 CTLS has the larger battery, and I’ve been using the Enersys SBS-15. 

[Tom Baker]

8 minutes ago, John Vance said:

My 2010 CTLS has the larger battery, and I’ve been using the Enersys SBS-15. 

I couldn't find one of those either. I wound up with an Odyssey PC-545.

[John Vance]

1 hour ago, Tom Baker said:

I couldn't find one of those either. I wound up with an Odyssey PC-545.

I’ve had good luck with OSI Batteries.  They normally carry the SBS-15, but I see it out of stock.  The list price is $233.77, which seems pretty reasonable. 

[Madhatter]

Has anyone looked at Lithium Iron Phosphate,  it doesn't have the fire issues as Lithium Ion. Wings and Wheels sells them for sailplanes. I have one in my modified cub for avionics,  it is 10 amp/hr and works great.

[JGray]

4 hours ago, Tom Baker said:

I couldn't find one of those either. I wound up with an Odyssey PC-545.

I assume that would require the larger box as well Tom? I like the specs on the PC-545 better. Also, here is a chart I found on a sellers listing for a PC-545, kind of a nice visual reference to the Odyssey batteries.

[Roger Lee]

The SBS series battery is the European version of the Odyssey battery which is the US version. 

[Tom Baker]

27 minutes ago, JGray said:

I assume that would require the larger box as well Tom? I like the specs on the PC-545 better. Also, here is a chart I found on a sellers listing for a PC-545, kind of a nice visual reference to the Odyssey batteries.

Sorry, I replaced the larger battery, a PC-370, with the PC-545. It wasn't the PC-310.

[BravoFoxtrot]

Here is another site that lets you put it in the shopping cart, but not sure if they have it in stock. 

Odyssey Battery, Sealed AGM (PC310) for F650-G650GS | Bob's BMW (bobsbmw.com)

Otherwise, the soonest I have seen it as being available is March 10th.

[BravoFoxtrot]

This is at least the second time I have seen a shortage on the PC310 battery. The PC545 sells for about $125, add the battery box for ~$25 and a LOA from Flight Design and you should still be money ahead with a bigger, available battery. I think I will go that route the next time I need to replace mine.

[JGray]

Honestly I agree, I think this might be my best bet. Do you purchase the battery box right from FD or another place? Thanks Bravo. 

[BravoFoxtrot]

First touch bases with Adrian at FD. Shouldn't be any problem, but best if they are in agreement. Try this email:  TopService@flightdesignusa.com

Here is a link to the battery box: Odyssey Battery Hold down - HD 680 (westcoastbatteriesinc.com)

They show the box for the 680 but say other sizes including the 545 are available. You can also order the battery from them or check around for a better price. You MAY have to make some wiring changes, but not sure. Keep us up to date on how this goes.

[JGray]

Thanks much BravoFoxTrot! I sent Arian an email, waiting for a response. I'll keep the post updated, but provided FD will approve it this is the route I will go. Tons of PC545s available out there. Either way, I'll update this to reflect what I do. 

[Jacques]

the PC545 is 5 lbs more than the PC310........good timing for an E-props

[Vic]

Iv got a 310 battery that has only seen about 30 hrs of flight time on my ctsw.  100$ + shipping and she's yours 

[JGray]

Thanks Vic, I'm definitely interested. Do you know the build date on the battery (usually on a sticker somewhere) or how old it is? Any reason for not using it now? 

[Vic]

I'll check the build date.  It's at least 2 year old now from when I bought the plane.  I thought this battery was bad so I bought a new one but after putting in a new one I found out I had a voltage regulator go bad on me.  So now it's a back up I keep in my parts cabinet.  If I had to guess it may be 2018 or so.  I'll confirm in the morning if your still interested

[Vic]

Well it's a little older than I thought, don't mind the dust.  Feb of 16. I'd still fly with it if I didn't put the new one in because if it were junk it would have gone in the trash. I don't take any risks with my flying equipment. I built and sold a bunch of door guides for our Cts in the for sale section and those interactions/transactions were all positive. 

[JGray]

Thanks Vic, if I can't find a new one soon I'll likely take you up on that offer. I just hesitate to put something in with maybe 1/2 life left on it, that's all. But when you can't find anything else, it beats my 2011 build date battery that has finally failed.