I have only used the ones specifically for aircraft batteries...
YMMV
http://batteryminders.com/store.php?spawner=icon_home&&app=air
Airplane battery chemistry is different than cars. The specific gravity is higher. Lots of people get away with wal mart chargers...but a lot more cause lots of damage when the cheap car chargers boil there batteries and cause volcanic activity to occur under the cowl.
fWIW
Battery minder sells regulated chargers designed specifically for airplane batteries. Some even have temp sensors that will shut off if the inner temp of the battery gets to high.
Airplane battery chemistry is different than cars. The specific gravity is higher.
Do tell please. As far as I know, lead and sulfuric acid is lead and sulfuric acid. The structure of aircraft battery cells is different but I'm fairly sure the chemistry is the same.
Maybe you should read the link I provided?
http://batteryminders.com/store.php?spawner=icon_home&&app=air
I've read that link. It's still a lead-acid reaction which is the "chemistry" of the battery. As for the claim of higher specific gravity...well, the "chemistry" defines the specific gravity and charge state.
The real difference between aircraft and auto batteries is the structure of the grid and the lighter structure of the aircraft battery is the issue when considering a charger.
Hint: the charging system in the 'kota is straight off of a car.
So the fact that Concord aircraft battery manufacturer does not recommend any other battery charger means nothing?
The fact that an AGM aircraft battery is not the same as a flooded cell automotive battery means nothing?
Maybe you should call Concord and talk to the tech rep. I have spent literally hours talking with them at OSH. I worked a booth across the isle.
Calm down just a little bit Larry. The link does not specifically address the gel-cells. It does make some weird claim about higher specific gravity but that isn't pertinent for gel-cells.
On to your other points, not all aircraft batteries are AGM and the OP certainly didn't address AGM. As for what the religious beliefs of Concord may be, I really couldn't care less. I think my Concord AGM also doesn't care since it's been on a non-battery minder charger for over a year now.
I know you believe you are correct and that is certainly your prerogative. I learned battery cell chemistry over 30 years ago and I am quite certain that the fundamental chemistry won't change although structure, alloys, and additives will change.
So you are clinging to education you got 30 year ago, without any input from companies making modern aircraft batteries, got it. How many AGM batteries were made back then?
So you will take your 1 year anecdotal evidence and 30 year old knowledge of batteries over the manufacturers recommendations? Just want to be clear on your position.
This is one of those subjects everyone has an opinion on. Do what you want. The OP asked for advice, mine is to listen to the manufacturers recommendations.
The BatteryMinder can actually improve a sulfated battery.
http://batteryminders.com/battery-charger-reviews
Maybe you should read the links I provided?
http://batteryminders.com/battery-charger-reviews
http://batteryminders.com/store.php?spawner=icon_home&&app=air
I have several of the Batteryminders and use them on my aircraft. They charged at 2 amps then go into a desulfication and maintenance mode.
Not all lead acid batteries are the same, or should they be treated or maintained the same.
Larry, I pointed out that battery chemistry hasn't changed. It can't change since it is fixed by simple chemicaleactions. Lead can't be changed, it's freaking lead. Sulfuric acid can't be changed, it's freaking aqueous H2SO4. Wave your arms about the rest but at least try to understand that the chemistry was fixed by mother nature long before you or I walked the planet. The chemistry will remain long after we are gone.
Or maybe you just should go do a zoom climb and tell everyone how safe it is...
There's nothing special about an AGM nor the Batteryminder. What's different is some battery tenders/chargers like the Batteryminder have a desulfurization mode where they either hold the charge voltage higher than the intended battery voltage and measure current draw or they pulse charge at a higher voltage for a set period of time.
AGMs " like " this because they have far less fluid inside and tend to get somewhat "uneven" chemical reactions internally. The higher voltage and/or pulsing helps them attain a true full charge.
Same effect works aloft, the alternator puts out 13.8 for a long period of time when the battery only needs 12.
Hardest thing you can do to an AGM is a bunch of short flights, with long periods in between them. It won't be fully/evenly charged when you put it away. A traditional battery will handle that abuse better.
You can buy other chargers other than the Batteryminder that are way smarter than even that thing. Cell companies have them on cell sites. They'll even load test cells and let you know when they're starting to fail. You can get as fancy or simple as you like.
There's nothing significantly different between a car starting battery style AGM and an aircraft AGM. A car deep cycle or a boat deep cycle AGM yes. Very different. Aircraft? No.
No need to get snarky when you are losing the argument.
The chemistry is not that same. The percentage of acid to water is higher in AGM batteries and their charge rate and levels for storage are not the same.
Did you ask a battery manufacturer or are you still going to deny battery technology has not changed in 30 years?
If a guy actually flys why would he need a $300 desulfator?
Paragraph G on Page 13 of http://www.concordebattery.com/otherpdf/5-0324-rg-manual.pdf, says I don't.
No need to get snarky when you are losing the argument.
The chemistry is not that same. The percentage of acid to water is higher in AGM batteries and their charge rate and levels for storage are not the same.
Did you ask a battery manufacturer or are you still going to deny battery technology has not changed in 30 years?
Who exactly got snarky? Sheesh. Explain to the world exactly how lead has changed in the last 30 years. When you're done with that I will admit that I lost the argument.
The point was the acid to water ratio has changed, that is the "chemistry" of the new aircraft batteries. The "chemistry" certainly is NOT the same as they were 30 years ago.
You would never admit you are wrong, you would rather keep reciting 30 year old facts.
Have you called Concord yet? Seriously, call them. Never be afraid to learn something new.
I maintain my planes to the highest possible standard.
Are you claiming that all aircraft batteries are AGM? Hint: They aren't. The flooded cell batteries are exactly the same as they have been for well over 30 years.
Now, is there a different chemistry available now? No, there is not. The reaction is still sulfuric acid and lead. The sulfuric acid has a new form, a gell, available but the underlying chemistry is still the same. Can you even begin to understand the nature of an electrolytic cell? It is a little advanced over high school chemistry but not by much. Every college intro chem course for technical track folks should cover it. I'm sure you can "learn something new" and read about it yourself.
Come back when you're done listening to sales folks and are willing to study things for yourself.
Odyssey batteries have their own recommended chargers. Take a look at the charge rate over the 3 step process they recommend.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/chargers.html
The "chemistry" of these new light weight batteries have changed dramically. They require different maintenance that the old standard batteries your grandfather used.
And yet they let the aircraft charging system remain the same stupid alternator and voltage regulator it always was.
If they're that different, they're selling you a battery that shouldn't be hooked to a typical aircraft charging system. Ever think of that?
I wouldn't put it past any of them really. It was too easy to keep a standard lead acid running for years and years if you knew how to measure their specific gravity and weren't afraid of adding water or acid as needed.
Can't do that on a "semi-sealed" battery. So they get to sell you more batteries over time.
Other than cold cranking amps, there's almost no reason to use an AGM in an aircraft.
And yet they let the aircraft charging system remain the same stupid alternator and voltage regulator it always was.
If they're that different, they're selling you a battery that shouldn't be hooked to a typical aircraft charging system. Ever think of that?
I wouldn't put it past any of them really. It was too easy to keep a standard lead acid running for years and years if you knew how to measure their specific gravity and weren't afraid of adding water or acid as needed.
Can't do that on a "semi-sealed" battery. So they get to sell you more batteries over time.
Other than cold cranking amps, there's almost no reason to use an AGM in an aircraft.
( purity of the lead, acid to water ratio, materials used) used in the manufacturing of the batteries has changed.
The new AGM or "gas mat" batteries are MUCH lighter. Due to the new CHEMISTRY.
The quality has, increasing service life. That's pretty much it