- Why should I choose Red Box battery units?
We at Red Box Aviation have been manufacturing ground power units since 1993. We have a dedicated team that understand the needs of an aircraft and the needs of the user. When designing our units careful consideration has been taken to ensure we use the highest quality components and ensured the safest possible product is built, all of the cells used in our units are capacity tested and matched for optimum performance. It is a common misconception that if batteries look the same and are brand new they will perform the same, however this is not the case, all batteries have a slight variation in their brand new capacity if the cells are not matched the life of a unit can be reduced.
We keep our chargers independent from our units, this dramatically increase the unit life. Inside a Red Box unit there is very little to go wrong, it is designed to withstand extreme weather and harsh use. You could fill a Red Box unit with water, drain it out, and it would still work. All the delicate components are in the charger, the charger is kept safely at a charging point and not subjected to the wear of the Red Box unit.
- How long do the battery cells last?
This is very much dependent on customer use, and what aircraft the units are being used on. When talking to the sales team at Red Box, let them know the application for the unit they will be able to give an estimate for the expected life of the battery. Rule of thumb says with regular use the cells need replacing every 5-6 years, although we do have units that were manufactured in our first year that are still in use now and have not needed their cells replaced. To ensure you get the most from your battery it is recommended that the batteries are on charge all the time they are not in use, this is not compulsory but it will prolong the life of the unit.
- How easy are the units to use?
The battery units are extremely easy to use, they are as simple as plugging the unit into the aircraft and switching on the isolator key.
- Can I carry the units in flight?
Yes the units are certified as safe for flight.
- How long should I charge them for?
These units can be left on charge all the time while not in use, and once charged they will hold their charge for 6 months to a year. Most of our units take between 30 minutes and 3 hours to charge.
- How heavy are the battery units?
This information can be found on the specification sheet for each individual unit.
- Can I charge the unit on my aircraft?
For most of our hand portable units you can purchase an additional on board charger, please speak to one of our sales team when placing your order.
- What is the maximum length of output cable available?
The maximum length of output cable we recommend is 3 metres; this has been designed to give optimum voltage at the end of the cable. Cable lengths longer than this will start to see voltage drop. If slight voltage drop is not an issue then extension cables can be provided on request, please discuss with the Red Box sales team.
- Can I use my unit to start a 12 volt and 24 volt aircraft?
Our units are designed in either 12 volt or 24 volt configurations. Experience tells us that a switchable unit is not recommended because a unit can accidentally be left on the wrong voltage setting and potentially damage an aircraft. Also there would have to be two batteries in a switchable unit, when in the 24 volt configuration it would use both batteries however when in the 12 volt configuration it would only use one of these batteries, this is not advisable as a unit does not like to have two batteries at two different levels in it as this dramatically reduces the lifespan of the unit. We always recommend purchasing 2 separate units, one 12 volt and one 24 volt. This has a higher initial outlay but in the long run will save cost.
- What maintenance is required for units?
Red Box units are maintenance free as long as you look after them, never let the voltage get too low and put them on charge when not in use.
- How long will they run for continuous power?
These units are not designed specifically to give continuous power, the type of batteries being used are designed primarily for peak starting amps. We understand that sometimes it is necessary to use a battery unit for continuous power, on each specification sheet there is a line that says “capacity”, this will give ‘XX amp hrs at 10 hr rate’. The ‘XX’ is the amount of amps you can pull for one hour before the unit will need recharging. However, for safety reasons, we would only recommend using 75% of the capacity, and always keep in mind that if you pull continuous power for too long you may not be able to start your aircraft. Also if you do not monitor your unit while pulling continuous power you run the risk of deep discharging the batteries and rendering them unusable.
- Are the battery cells replaceable?
Yes the battery cells are easily replaceable on all of our units, we are happy to send them out for you to replace of you can return the unit to anyone of our worldwide service centres.
- How do I know when the batteries are dead?
Each unit is fitted with a voltmeter, when the voltmeter shows close to 12 volts for a 12 volt unit, 24 volts for a 24 volt unit or 28 volts for a 28 volt unit the batteries are dead.
- Is the unit water resistant?
Yes, the unit is water resistant.
- Why should I choose Red Box continuous power units?
Our units have been designed and built in-house; using our many years of experience we understand the importance of supplying clean DC power. All of our units are built to the highest safety specification and will truly give the power output specified. Many of our units can be used to charge onboard batteries and have battery charging management systems built in. Some of our models also have an LED indication panel this indicates the voltage of the unit and how many amps are being pulled at any one time. This is important to ensure you are not exceeding the capability of the unit and pulling excess power from the onboard batteries. Many of the units in this range are built to military specification and are being used in military operations throughout the world.
- What is the maximum output cable length?
A unit is supplied as standard with a 2 or 3 metre output cable, although you can request additional length when ordering up to a maximum of 10 metres. With these units it is recommended to increase your input cable length where possible rather then the output cable length as the input cable length can be increased to a vastly greater distance, enabling you to get the unit close to where it is being used.
- What is the maximum input cable length?
There is almost no maximum length for the input cable, please discuss this when ordering your unit as the grade of cable may need to be changed depending on the length required.
- Can it be used to charge my on board batteries?
The RBPS range can be used to charge the on board battery but these units do not have a battery management system, meaning the unit needs to be monitored while charging the onboard battery. Our RBSC range on the other hand has a built in charge management system and will charge most onboard batteries and stop charging at a safe level.
- Can it be used to start my aircraft?
No, you will need either an additional Red Box battery unit, or a TC3000A combination start and continuous power unit.
- Is it waterproof?
These units are not fully waterproof, but are weather resistant.
- Why should I choose Red Box start and continuous power units?
Red Box Aviation have been manufacturing ground power units since 1993. We have a dedicated team that understand the needs of an aircraft and the needs of the user. We use the technology we use because it is the best solution for the job. When designing our units careful consideration has been taken to ensure we use the highest quality components and ensured the safest possible product is built, all of the cells used in our units are capacity tested and matched for optimum performance. It is a common misconception that if batteries look the same and are brand new they will perform the same, however this is not the case, all batteries have a slight variation in their brand new capacity if the cells are not matched the life of a unit can be reduced.
All of our units are built to the highest safety specification and will truly give the power output specified. These units can be used to charge onboard batteries and have battery charging management systems built in. They also have an LED indication panel this indicates the voltage of the unit and how many amps are being pulled at any one time. This is important to ensure you are not exceeding the capability of the unit and pulling excess power from the batteries in the unit. These units are built to military specification and are being used in military operations throughout the world.
- Is it waterproof?
These units are weather resistant.
- Does it need to be plugged in the mains power to start the aircraft?
No these units have inbuilt batteries, that do not need to be plugged into the mains power to start the aircraft.
- Do I need to charge the batteries separately?
No as soon as you plug the unit in it will automatically charge the batteries and maintain them at an appropriate level.
- Does the unit know when I want to pull continuous power and when I want to start my aircraft / vehicle?
Yes the unit will automatically know what is required of it.
- Can you use continuous power and start power at the same time?
In normal operation you are doing one or the other, and the unit will know which type of power, start or continuous, is required.
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