Compared to the automotive field, the aircraft battery market is tiny. Two companies, Concorde and Gill, provide a range of models and sizes.

by Kim Santerre

Considering that every flight depends on it, the aircraft battery doesn’t get any respect. It lives in the tailcone or engine room, out of sight and out of mind getting little care or attention. In our experience, most batteries—particularly the flooded or vented electrolyte wet cells—don’t die—they are killed by neglect or improper maintenance. This damage can start as early as improperly activating a dry-charged wet-cell battery.

Just as most of us don’t pay much attention to maintenance of batteries, most of us haven’t followed the advancements in battery technology, either. When a battery dies, we simply replace it with something, often taking the shop’s recommendation at face…