Gill Batteries Awarded FAA PMA to Install New-Generation 7000 Series on Airbus EC135/145 Helicopters

Representatives of Teledyne Battery Products, Gill Batteries, a division of Teledyne Technologies, announces that the company has received FAA Parts Manufacturer Approval (PMA) permitting the installation of its new-generation 7000 Series (7638-44) sealed lead-acid battery on Airbus (Eurocopter) EC135/145 helicopters.

“No matter where in the world they are located or what missions they are performing, EC135 and EC145 operators have one thing in common: They want a higher-performing, lower-cost battery, and that is what they will find with our (7638-44), lead-acid battery,” Gill Batteries' general manager, Armando Chacon, says. “At any altitude or climate, the 7000 Series will reliably deliver the power necessary for efficient starting of your aircraft under the most demanding conditions.”

“In addition, the sealed lead-acid design of the 7638-44 battery is proven to be safer by eliminating any possible issues with thermal runaway, requires less maintenance and less recharge during storage, and is roughly one-third the cost of a NiCad battery,” he adds. “All 7000 Series batteries come fully charged from the Gill factory, versus a NiCad battery, which requires initial charging prior to installation. All these benefits make the 7638-44 battery a better choice for EC135 and EC145 operators.”

Benefits of the new-generation Gill 7000 Series (7638-44) battery for Airbus (Eurocopter) EC135/145 helicopters include:

• FAA PMA-ed as a direct replacement for NiCad and other lead acid batteries
• Lead-acid design means no possibility of thermal runaway
• Higher starting power for more robust starts than competitive lead acid batteries
• Up to two times faster recovery from a deep discharge than a NiCad battery
• More residual power after start-up than competitive lead-acid batteries
• Longer interval before initial capacity check (18 months or 1,800 hours)
• Sealed, non-HazMat
• Lower acquisition and maintenance costs than competitive batteries
• Industry-leading warranty.