So many buyers are removing their vacuum system in favor of all-electronic instruments, but neglected electrical systems—including the battery—are the weak link. Reliability isn’t helped when the typical lead-acid model sits for long periods in harsh temperatures.
Meanwhile, battery tech for the consumer electronics market has changed for the better, and that includes smart lithium-ion cells with better tolerance for demanding electrical loads and temperature extremes. So what about smart batteries for aircraft? Two companies—Mid-Continent Instrument’s True Blue Power division, and EarthX—have been leading the charge with models for limited applications. Let’s take a close look.