S100 Battery icon

[Paul Ferreira]

Recently purchased an S100, and also 3 AGM batteries to power my variometers. I have changed the settings for the external battery to reflex AGM batteries. The icon on the screen shows an almost empty battery, even though the batteries are charged. Could the reason be that the new batteries are not good? Is there a way to test the batteries?

I've attached a pic, next to the gray triangle. Thanks,

Paul

[Marc Arnold]

You may be able to select the type of battery, which alters the voltage thresholds. 

On Apr 20, 2021, at 7:53 PM, Paul Ferreira <paul.fer...@gmail.com> wrote:

Recently purchased an S100, and also 3 AGM batteries to power my variometers. I have changed the settings for the external battery to reflex AGM batteries. The icon on the screen shows an almost empty battery, even though the batteries are charged. Could the reason be that the new batteries are not good? Is there a way to test the batteries?

I've attached a pic, next to the gray triangle. Thanks,

Paul

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "LXNav Soaring Glider Equipment User Discussion Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to lxnav-user-gro...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/lxnav-user-group/4cca4998-b962-454e-9191-d3e9ad46481en%40googlegroups.com.

<S100 battery.jpg>

[John Ferguson]

Page 74 in latest manual, pick your battery chemistry and also set battery voltage thresholds to ensure they match. If after setting all the variables the display doen't give the correct status the you might need to look for something causing voltage drop.

John

[Mark Olinger]

That icon should be for the internal battery...see page 15 of the manual.

Mark

[KU]

In Battery set there is two options; Internal and External. If you have another voltage display (Such as on your radio in certain modes) you can use that but most people will display External. As mentioned, you can set voltage parameters when selecting chemistry. The default settings are pretty close.

Lastly, check your batteries. These do have a shelf life and I have purchased new batteries that needed to be returned. Also czech your charger. Do not use any type of trickle charger on a AMG battery. What was bizarre is that the battery shop in my neighborhood was selling the wrong type of charger WITH these batteries. Based on my RC experience I thought a trickle charger would be OK but they will dramatically shorten the life of an AGM Sealed Lead Acid Battery.  

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/lxnav-user-group/69155c9a-e574-4ef7-a0f6-c41461e0933an%40googlegroups.com.

[Paul Ferreira]

Well, I exchanged the batteries, and still have the issue, but the problem is most likely related to the drop in voltage from the tail to the panel. I guess I'll have to hire someone to redo the wiring so that I can place another battery behind the seat, and just leave the tail batteries for weight.

Thanks for the help,

Paul 

[John Ferguson]

Hi, sorry to hear that. Tail batteries are notorious for suffering these problems. Here are some tips, check the resistance of the cables (you'll need some nice wire to extend your test leads) tail to panel the whole circuit, corrosion/resistance at battery contacts, restistance of any fuses/holders, resistance in battery switches in the panel. Basically don't rip the wiring out until you've exhausted all other options. It is difficult to replace cables all the way into the fin battery box.

Just thought, are the other batteries performing well according to the S100, ie the tail battery is definitely the only one underperforming here.

John

[Paul Ferreira]

Thanks for all the tips, and yes, it's only the tail AGM batteries that loose about 1V. I'm thinking of adding another LiFePO4 battery inside the cockpit, behind my head, and disconnecting the tail batteries at the main switch on my left side. This switch controls both sets of batteries. Is there a consensus where to place a second battery inside the cockpit? Should I just enlarge the bracket holding the current battery and add another battery in front of it?

Regards,