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True Blue Power and Voyageur Aerotech Inc. announced on Sept. 24, 2018, the receipt of a supplemental type certificate (STC) from Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) for the installation of the True Blue Power TS60 Series Emergency Battery Power Supply on all Bombardier DHC-8 100/200/300/400 series aircraft.
The battery provides constant 6.6 VDC power to emergency lighting systems in the event of electrical system failure. Engineered to offer distinct advantages over nickel-cadmium (NiCad) alternatives, the hermetically-sealed, non-venting TS60 is the first lithium-ion battery to meet new, rigorous Technical Standard Order (TSO) C179b requirements.
“The recent TSO authorization for this power supply is particularly important because it is a Class A-3A battery,” said Brett Williams, director of engineering for True Blue Power.
“The TS60 has demonstrated complete containment of an all-cell thermal runaway and represents the pinnacle of safety for this type of product.”
The emergency battery power supply is designed to utilize the aircraft’s power to recharge, or maintain existing charge, at full capacity.
The TS60 contains significantly more power than needed to meet the required 20 minutes of emergency lighting run time.
The four-cell configuration can support up to 30 minutes of power and the six-cell configuration provides power for more than 40 minutes.
“The TS60 is designed to be easily installed and deliver valuable operational, financial and safety benefits,” said Tom Genovese, director of commercial airline sales for True Blue Power.
“As a drop-in replacement for the Dash 8’s older, maintenance-intensive Honeywell Grimes power supplies and battery assemblies, no additional equipment, changes to wiring or updates to the flight crew procedures are needed.”
- Benefits of the TS60 on Bombardier DHC-8 100/200/300/400 series aircraft include:
- Reduced maintenance cost; and
- Two-year, in-house capacity check; not restricted to flight hours or cycles.
- Longer life expectancy
- six- to eight-year product life;
- Improved storage and shelf life
- No refrigeration needed;
- Recharge at six months compared to capacity check at 50 days for NiCad alternative.
- Faster charge time
- Four hours compared to 16 hours for NiCad alternatives
- LED status indicator;
- No special equipment needed for installation, testing or charging.
True Blue Power specializes in the design and manufacturing of next-generation power solutions for the global aviation industry. Select products, including the TS60 Series Emergency Battery Power Supply, utilize proprietary Nanophosphate lithium-ion cell chemistry.
In addition to this TCCA certification, True Blue Power is the first company in the world to achieve FAA TSO and EASA ETSO certifications for its sophisticated lithium-ion batteries.
Impressive battery!