Hatz Biplane Association

Hi guys. Me again with another question for those of you "farther along".

My plans do not show a suggested location for the battery. I realize that this will vary and may have to move to keep the CG in proper range (depending on the engine) but would like to know where other folks are mounting the battery.

Am cleaning up details on the fuselage and may need to weld in some structure to mount a battery box.

Thanks

Dave

Hi Dave
I am finishing up my CB-1 I bought a Panasonic 12 volt battery that some of the other Hatz guys used and they said they had good luck with. It is slimmer and lighter than a standard battery. Since the guy who started my protect extended the tail out 10 inches and I am using a light weight starter and alternator and a wooden prop, I decided I needed to keep as much weight up front as I could. I mounted it right on the engine side of the firewall. I haven't done a weight and balance yet but I don't know what else i could do to shift weight forward so I am hoping it will be OK.

John Hughes

Started with a 2-ton lead acid battery on the floor between the passengers feet up by the firewall and have since changed to an Odyssey glass mat battery. Works out W/B wise OK but can be a pain to service.. need to remove a side panel to gain access.
Jeff Moore

Thanks for the input guys.

Issues like this are relatively minor, but can be a real pain later as I cuss myself for not forseeing problems and providing easy acess for inspection and servicing. Some of my earlier aircraft had "band aid" solutions to compensate for my lack of planning. I have always believed that to really get the airplane I want, I would have to build it several times, correcting the shortfalls in each successive version. I hope that by using the advice and experiences of other builders I can do a little better the first time.

Dave

Hi guys,

The battery on my Hatz is located under the front passenger seat right on the c.g. I am using an Odssey type in a small battery box, cranks the motor like crazy and requires very little service, which is good because it is a pain to get at.

Luke

The original spot for our battery was behind the pilot's seat, but it was moved to the firewall later for CG purposes; O-320 w/ wood prop.

The Odessy battery for NX687HZ is forward of the firewall, mounted low for easy access. Cranks the R3600 with ease. W/B was dead center of the range shown on the Classic plans.

As a little aside, I abandoned the hand held radio that got me all the way to OSH in favor of a Icom 200 graciously supplied by Chuck Brownlow. Just finished the install and am anxious for the time to try it out in the air.

John Kerr

Thanks again for input guys. Think I will try to put battery on firewall for ease of servicing/inspection and CG purposes.

You have a great looking aircraft John. Saw it at AirVenture last year. Should be a standard for the rest of us to strive to meet.

Have used a handheld in both AirCamper and VP-1 although I did hard wire a PTT in the stick and mount an external antenna. Works great but I do get a little feedthrough when I fly near a commercial broadcast station. Do not think the HTs have the best "front end", but is really a minor problem. Would like to have a "real" aircraft radio in each airplane but panel space is a premium.

Probably should start a new thread but will just add here. Do not seem to have any guidance on shape of front instrument panel. I know it needs to be close to cowling form but have some latitude. Did you guys use same curature and dimensions (except width) as rear instrument panel? Do not think it is a big issue either way. Just want it to look right.

Dave

Hi Guys,
I needed confirmation on both the Panasonic SLA battery and putting it on the firewall. Thanks. As far as radio location, I found a Icom A-200 that I mounted in a box angled towards me under the panel between my legs. I was not able to squeeze my xpndr in the same area because the angle made the code settings unreadable (with my antique Narco). I thought about turning it upside down which would make it able to be read, but I made a small box for it and placed it on the right side of the cockpit outside of the tubing and inside the stringers.
Al