Compatibility Testing and Smart Monitoring of the Hawker Battery on the ELDEC (Boeing) Chargers

After the second World War and with the advent of the jet engine, main Aircraft Batteries for use in both military and commercial aircraft have been dominated by Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries (over lead acid). This was due to life and high rate discharge capabilities, in particular at low temperatures, of the NiCd batteries.

Over the last 20 years sealed lead acid battery developments has seen NiCd performances being matched and in some instances exceeded. To realise these capabilities and to allow NiCd applications to be retrofitted with lead acid batteries, “fit form and function” capabilities have to be proven. Therefore it has been necessary to evaluate compatibility of these advanced lead acid designs with the traditional “dedicated” NiCd charger.

This paper describes compatibility testing of the Hawker sealed lead acid battery design with the ELDEC 2-301-3 charger for the Boeing 727 and 737 (100/200 Series) aircraft. Details of the approval activity with the UK CAA are included. Additionally the Flight Control DC System Power Supply Assembly developed by ELDEC for the Boeing 777 aircraft shows how a “smart” charger can give enhanced life and low/no maintenance benefits.