11-22. INSTALLATION OF BATTERY
a. Ascertain that the battery and battery box have been cleaned and are free of acid. ( Refer to
Paragraph 11-30.). Also insure that the drain tube is capped per Paragraph 11-27.
b. Position battery in battery box.
c. Connect the positive lead to the positive battery terminal and secure.
d. Connect the ground cable to the negative battery terminal and secure.
e. Replace battery box lid and secure with four cam locks.
f. If not already accomplished, refer to latest Piper Service Bulletin No. 631 for battery protection.
g. Close and secure cowling.
—NOTE—
If a solderless terminal on an aluminum cable is loose, corroded or
otherwise unsatisfactory. It is recommended that the complete cable
assembly be replaced instead of replacing or repairing the solderless
terminal. Should replacement of the complete assembly not be
practical, it is permissible to replace the aluminum cable assembly with
a copper cable assembly which is two sizes smaller (ex: an AL-I
aluminum cable assembly is replaced with an AN-3 copper cable
assembly). The new cable should be installed in accordance with AC-
43.13-1A.
11-23. CHARGING BATTERY. If the battery is not up to normal charge, remove the battery and charge starting
with a charging rate of 4 amps and finishing with 2 amps. A fast charge is not recommended.
11-24. STARTING THROUGH EXTERNAL POWER RECEPTACLE WITH AIRPLANE'S BATTERY
NEARLY DEPLETED.
a. When using a 12 volt battery for external power starting and the airplane's battery is nearly depleted, the
following procedure should be used:
1. Disconnect the airplane's battery at the negative terminal to prevent excessive loading of the external
starting battery.
2. Check that all of the airplane's electrical equipment is turned OFF.
3. Connect the external battery to the external power receptacle: turn master switch ON and start engine
using normal starting procedure.
4. Turn master switch OFF; remove external battery. and then reconnect the battery at the negative
terminal.
5. Turn master switch 0N.
When starting with a power cart and the airplane's battery is nearly depleted. the procedure in Step (a) need not be
followed. The capacity of a power cart is sufficient to start an aircraft with a low battery.
11-25. TESTING THE BATTERY. The Specific Gravity check method is listed in Table Xl-IV. If the alternator
output is known to be correct, the question of battery capability can be more accurately determined with a load
type tester.
11-26. BATTERY BOX.
11-27. DESCRIPTION. The box is made of thermoplastic with a vent and drain system. The vents allow fresh
air to enter the box and draw off fumes that may accumulate due to the charging process of the battery. The drain
is capped at the bottom of the fuselage and should be opened occasionally to drain any accumulation of liquid or
during cleaning of the box.
PIPER AIRCRAFT
PA-28-161 CADET
AIRPLANE MAINTENANCE MANUAL
Issued: FEBRUARY. 28, 1989
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2D11
