What type of batteries do commercial jet aircraft use in the electrical system?
ian asked:
I am researching how commercial airplanes use power. Specifically, are the batteries on a commercial jet, for example an MD-88 or Boeing 737, your standard lead acid, or do they use lithium ion/polymer based? GREATLY appreciate a direction that I can research more. Thank you very much!
I am researching how commercial airplanes use power. Specifically, are the batteries on a commercial jet, for example an MD-88 or Boeing 737, your standard lead acid, or do they use lithium ion/polymer based? GREATLY appreciate a direction that I can research more. Thank you very much!
Lead acid is used in all military aircraft. Here is one company that makes them.
The most common ones used today are Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cads), at least for civilian aircraft. There is some development for Lithium Ion, we should start seeing them more in the next few years.
Get ready for more information than you thought you would get…
Boeing 767 aircraft (at least the one I’m working on this week) use a Nickel Cadmium battery (Ref AIPC 24-31-01-02 Item 35). Boeing part number S282T002-1 (ELDEC part number BA06 or SAFT part number 4579). This battery is 28VDC. There are actually two batteries installed, one is for the aircraft power system, the other for APU starting. Not going to look up that reference. They are both the same part number and are interchangeable. (And weighs 96 pounds – no fun installing in the APU battery location behind the P49 panel)
The main battery for an MD-88 is actually two batteries. Instead of having one heavy 28VDC battery, it has two 14VDC batteries in series. Voltage adds in series, so that makes 28 volts. They are replaced as a set. This is a Douglas thing. The MD-11 is the same way.