Just as we put our colossal battery survey field report to rest (see the March 2023 Aviation Consumer), True Blue Power tosses two new advanced lithium-ion models into the ring.As we reported, True Blue—a division of the respected Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics—didn’t reel in many responses in our survey, likely because the company’s TB series mainship batteries (which we think are we’ll designed) are priced for the upper end of the market—mainly turbines and select pistons. But two new models, including one made for 14-volt electrical systems, could be more attractively priced (they still aren’t cheap) for buyers wanting long service life, limited—if any—upkeep and more efficient starting power.
IT’S ALL ABOUT CAPACITY
The nomenclature for the two new iron phosphate lithium-ion models—TB14 and TB28—might be confusing for buyers with limited battery knowledge. Think in terms of capacity. The TB stands for True Blue Power, of course, but don’t confuse 14 and 28 for electrical system voltage. The TB14 has a 14 amp-hour capacity (nominal at 73 degrees F) and a 28-volt charge voltage. The 12-volt TB28 has a 26-amp-hour capacity. Keep in mind, there’s a tradeoff. With more voltage, the capacity goes down. Both batteries are identically sized, despite the differences in capacity.