Start Power Units
12V / 24V / 26V / 28VDC Start Power
The Red Box range of jump start batteries and aircraft start units are the ideal solution for starting the majority of DC aircraft. They are designed to start aircraft from the very smallest up to the largest business jets. There are a range of voltages (12V, 24V, 26V and 28V) and power capacities available.
It is important to choose not only the right start power unit for your needs, but also the right unit for your operation. Some customers only want to start in emergencies and some will be using their start unit multiple times a day. Although Red Box ground power units are designed to start aircraft, some customers require a small amount of continuous power as well. Please discuss your requirements with our sales team; they have the experience to recommend the correct unit for your needs.
For some small aircraft the requirement is for 12V start units. We manufacture 12V units in 3 sizes, although any aircraft that requires 12V only need to use our smallest RB25A 12V unit, the larger start power units are only really for multiple starts.
As standard, most DC powered aircraft only need 24V DC to start. The ground power unit port normally indicates 28V DC, but this is for the continuous power requirements. The onboard battery is 24V therefore you only need 24V to start. We have a large number of 24V aircraft start units available ranging from small hand portable start units to large trolley cart units. If weight is an issue we produce the same range utilising lithium battery technology. If you are unsure please get in touch with our sales team.
We also manufacture a number of 28V DC start power units too. In most cases this is only to provide customers with peace of mind as most aircraft will start from 24V DC. Although there are a few that are volt sensitive and need a 28V DC start system. Our sales team will help you choose the right start power units and ground power units for your specific requirements.
For extremely voltage sensitive aircraft like the PC12, we offer the 26V Battery cart which is perfectly designed to cater for highly levels of sensitivity.
If you are looking to be able to practice using the avionics or to perform updates to the system then our RBSC and RBPS range provide this facility for you. A dual voltage power unit can be used to start either a 14 volt or 28 volt aircraft. Sometimes a combination of start and continuous power in one unit is required. In remote locations where mains power is not available the Self powered GPU will allow starting and continuous power.
Not sure whether you should opt for Lead Acid or Lithium Start Units? Our handy article will make the choice easier for you.