Lighter, Stronger, Smarter
True Blue Power—the Kansas and California-based aerospace technology concern specializing in the design and manufacture of aircraft electrical power systems, USB and wireless chargers, power conversion products, emergency power supplies, and advanced lithium-ion batteries—announced on 24 April 2023 that it had developed, certified, and would presently unveil two new, main-ship-batteries at 2023’s Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) International Convention and Trade Show.
The AEA Convention is the preeminent forum dedicated solely to the aircraft electronics industry. The event's primary focus is providing avionics professionals educational and marketing opportunities made available by equipment manufacturers, distributors, and approved maintenance organizations. In addition, the AEA Convention is the platform of choice for the introduction of new avionics products and services. This year’s AEA Convention will be held at Orlando, Florida’s Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center from 24 through 27 April 2023.
True Blue Power’s TB14 (13 amp-hour) and TB28–12V (26 amp-hour) lithium-ion batteries are specifically designed for smaller, fixed-wing, Part 23 aircraft. Weighing only ten-pounds (apiece), the TB14 and TB28 are the smallest and lightest aircraft batteries yet produced by True Blue Power.
Designed respectively for aircraft with 14-volt and 28-volt electrical systems, the TB14 and TB28-12V advanced lithium-ion batteries retail individually for $2,499.
True Blue Power company officials set forth that the introduction of the TB14 and TB28-12V batteries has expanded the True Blue Power main-ship-battery product line to serve all aircraft markets. The company now offers lithium-ion batteries ranging from 13-amp hours to 60-amp-hours. The certification plan for the new TB14 and TB28-12V includes STC approval for an extensive list of aircraft models.
True Blue Power president and CEO Todd Winter stated: “True Blue Power is known as the world’s market leader for lithium batteries, recognized for top quality and reliability.”
True Blue Power main-ship-batteries are the lightest and most compact lithium-ion aircraft batteries currently available, providing more power-per-pound than any other aircraft battery. The TB14 and TB28-12V offer on-condition maintenance with intelligent cockpit communication via discrete output and RS-232, and feature built-in charge current limiting—a nifty feature that protects the host aircraft’s alternator (or generator) and circumvents the need for additional components. Both models are certified for operation at temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F) and as high as +70°C (+158°F).
By massing up to twenty fewer pounds than competing aircraft batteries, the TB14 and TB28-12V increase aircraft useful load and could, in certain aircraft, up G-limits—as battery-trays are among the structures likely to limit G-loading. What’s more, the cooler, faster, more reliable engine starts occasioned by the TB14 and TB28-12V batteries extend engine and electrical-system component life.
Additionally, True Blue Power’s TB14 and TB28-12V aircraft batteries are designed for eight-years of battery life—during which they eliminate capacity checks and reduce battery maintenance costs by up to ninety-percent.
The TB14 and the TB28-12V are certified to FAA TSO C179b (Class A-4B), RTCA DO-311A, RTCA DO-160G, and RTCA DO-178C DAL A.